The Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee voted unanimously today to advance SB199, a bill that would provide paid parental leave for state employees, including K-12 public school teachers. The legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile), aims to ensure state employees receive adequate time off following childbirth, adoption, or miscarriage.

On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey announced the filing of Alabama K-12 Public School and State Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025.

The legislation also includes a return-to-work provision, requiring employees to resume their positions for at least eight weeks following their paid parental leave. However, exceptions may be granted in certain circumstances, including cases of serious health conditions.

“The governor supporting this bill, and the difference between that bill the compromise that we’ve all come to is that this would give parental leave to both the mothers for eight weeks and the fathers for two weeks for newborn babies, stillborn babies, women who have had a miscarriage but would be confirmed by the healthcare professional that it was not an abortion, and the pregnancy has to be for at least 12 weeks or more, and it also covers moms and dads of adopted children, parents of adopted children. And right now, as I said, it’s for state employees and for education employees,” Figures said.

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SB199 would grant state employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, aligning Alabama with federal standards and policies adopted by other states. The bill also includes provisions to cover employees who experience a miscarriage, provided the pregnancy lasted at least 12 weeks and is verified by a healthcare professional.

State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), raised concerns about excluding those who miscarry before 12 weeks. “If you want to bring an amendment, I would consider it a friendly amendment,” Figures told Smitherman during the committee. 

The bill has received widespread support from both parties, as well as the governor’s office. Figures acknowledged the collaboration behind the bill. “I want to give a shout out to the governor staff. They have been really diligent and very committed and dedicated to putting this bill together, making sure that everybody was vetted and on board.”

Figures reassured lawmakers that the cost to local boards of education and other state agencies would be minimal when asked about costs to local school boards. 

With its unanimous committee approval, SB199 now heads to the full Senate for debate. 

Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].