Paid Parental Leave

Who is covered? 

The law establishes paid parental leave for certified and non-certified K-12 staff, Alabama Community College System (ACCS) employees, local education agency employees, and state workers who have been employed full-time for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the qualifying event—regardless of whether they have worked in their current position or district for that full year.

 

Amount of leave? 

1. Female employees are entitled to up to eight weeks of paid leave for childbirth, stillbirth, or miscarriage. 

2. Male employees receive two weeks of paid leave for childbirth, stillbirth, or miscarriage. 

3. For the adoption of a child three years old or younger: 

  • If one parent is employed by a school district, that eligible parent may receive up to eight weeks of paid leave. 
  • If both parents are eligible employees within a school district, one parent may receive up to eight weeks, while the other parent receives two weeks of leave. 

 

Key protections and provisions:

  • Leave is fully paid at 100% of base pay and does not reduce sick leave, annual leave, or other paid time off. It must be used within 365 days of the qualifying event.

  • An employee may only take parental leave for one qualifying event in any 365-day period.

  • Leave may be used intermittently or on a reduced schedule (with employer approval).

  • Leave runs concurrently with FMLA if applicable.

  • Employees will return to the same or an equivalent job.

  • Health coverage continues uninterrupted during leave.

  • Unused leave has no cash value, no rollover, and doesn’t impact retirement.

 

Conditions and requirements:

  • Employees must submit a written plan and agree not to resign for 8 weeks after the leave ends.

  • If the employee fails to return to work and no exception is granted, the employer may recover the value of unused work time.

  • In emergencies, requirements may be completed afterward.