State employee parental leave passed

Parental leave for permanent state employees who give birth or adopt was approved under a bill passed April 10.

Under LB878, introduced by Omaha Sen. Dunixi Guereca, eligible permanent state employees are entitled to six weeks of paid parental leave. The leave must commence no earlier than the date of birth or adoption and cannot be used more than six months after such birth or adoption.

Leave is limited to only permanent state employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months and to adoptive parents of a child who is 12 months of age or younger.

In addition, 30 days’ notice is required from an employee intending to take parental leave unless such notice is not practicable.

The bill also prohibits taking intermittent leave unless agreed upon by the state and employee or certified as medically necessary by the employee’s health care provider. Parental leave will not be charged against the employee’s sick or vacation leave.

Upon return, the employee is entitled either to resume their previous position or be placed in a position with similar status, seniority, pay and benefits. Employees using parental leave also are protected from employer retaliation.

LB878 passed 47-1 and takes effect immediately.