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MississippiHB 10632025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

MS State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act; create.

Sponsored By: Kevin Felsher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesAppropriations AJudiciary, Division A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Paid parental leave for Mississippi state employees

Beginning January 1, 2026, eligible Mississippi state employees get up to six weeks (240 hours) at 100% of regular salary. They must hold full-time permanent jobs, have 12 consecutive months of state service, and be the child's primary caregiver. Leave covers the birth of the employee's biological child or legal adoption of a child under 18. Employees must use it within 12 weeks of birth or adoption, no more than once per 12-month period. It does not reduce earned personal or major medical leave, but runs alongside applicable Family and Medical Leave Act leave. State and federal legal holidays do not reduce the benefit. Unused hours cannot build up, carry over, count toward retirement, or be paid out when employment ends. Employees must follow usual notice and documentation rules, including 30 calendar days' notice when foreseeable; otherwise, notice is required as soon as possible. Agency heads may restrict use only for compelling public safety reasons. Employees may also use up to six weeks of earned major medical leave for biological birth, adoption, or foster placement. For birth or adoption, paid parental leave must come first, allowing up to 12 paid weeks when earned leave is available. For adoption or foster placement, major medical leave must cover care for the child within one year of placement.

School districts can offer paid parental leave

Beginning January 1, 2026, Mississippi public school districts and community or junior college districts can adopt paid parental leave policies. These policies are in addition to other district leave policies. Any adopted policy must have the same or substantially the same provisions as the state employee parental leave law. Adoption is optional, so the law itself does not guarantee paid parental leave to district employees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kevin Felsher

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Dana McLean

    Republican • House

  • Zakiya Summers

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 266 • No: 16

House vote • 3/14/2025

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 118 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 34 • No: 16 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/30/2025

Passed

Yes: 114 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/25/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/19/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/18/2025House

  4. Concurred in Amend From Senate

    3/14/2025House

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/12/2025Senate

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  7. Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/4/2025Senate

  9. Referred To Judiciary, Division A

    2/17/2025Senate

  10. Transmitted To Senate

    1/31/2025House

  11. Passed

    1/30/2025House

  12. Title Suff Do Pass

    1/29/2025House

  13. DR - TSDP: AP To PH

    1/29/2025House

  14. DR - TSDP: PH To AP

    1/28/2025House

  15. Referred To Public Health and Human Services;Appropriations A

    1/17/2025House

Bill Text

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