Paid Leave: Legislative Recap
In the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 1010, doubling paid leave for public employees in Georgia from 3 to 6 weeks. It went into effect on July 1, 2024. We’ll tell you what you need to know.
Implication:
Women and employees now benefit from increased paid leave, ensuring better assistance during critical periods like childbirth, but you may need to inform your employer of the new law.
The Specifics:
You’re eligible if you’re a state or public employee who meets both of these criteria:
You’ve given birth, adopted a child, or have a new foster child.
You’re a full-time employee with six continuous months of employment before requesting leave. An hourly employee who worked 700 hours (~28 hours per week) or more during the six months before requesting leave.
If you’re eligible, you are entitled to these benefits:
You can take up to 240 hours of paid parental leave in a 12-month period.
Your parental leave does not reduce your already accrued leave.
You can take leave in increments of less than eight hours, subject to your agency’s same rules for other paid leave.
These are important notes to be aware of, just in case:
Rehired retirees receiving retirement annuity payments are not eligible during the first 1,040 work hours in a calendar year.
Parental leave does not carry over after 12 months and has no cash value upon separation from employment.
Your agency may require documentation, such as your child’s birth certificate.
You can find the full policy here.
Government Resources:
The Georgia Department of Administrative Services oversees state agencies and employees. Their job is to ensure you receive the paid leave you’re entitled to under House Bill 1010. Contact them for support at 404-656-2705 or hra@doas.ga.gov. Additionally, here is a list of documents they published regarding paid parental leave.
The U.S. Department of Labor has a guide for how to talk to your employer about taking maternity leave. Read their guidance here if you want to learn more about how to advocate for yourself.
Nonprofit Resources:
A Better Balance is a national nonprofit that educates mothers on their rights and ensures they receive proper benefits. If you believe your employer is infringing on your rights, reach out to them for support at 1-833-NEED-ABB / (1-833-633-3222) or fill out the form here.
We at Pickles & Ice Cream educate our moms and birthers on all things maternity. Follow us on IG, sign up for our newsletter, and explore our blogs and resources to learn about your rights and maternal health.
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia can help you navigate your paid leave and connect you to helpful resources. Contact them at 1-888-457-4769 or fill out the form here. Additionally, information on legislation and how to get involved is available here.
9to5 is an advocacy organization dedicated to advocating for women workers and that organizes the Georgia Coalition for Paid Leave. If you’re interested in creating change and working toward paid leave for all women, explore ways to get involved with the coalition here.
Written by: Jacob Hays
Reviewed by: Chini Sheth, MPH