The Alabama Family Leave Act amends Section 36-26-35.2 of the Code of Alabama 1975 and introduces Chapter 26B to provide paid parental leave for eligible state employees and employees of local boards of education following the birth or adoption of a child. The bill allows eligible employees to take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave, which can be used intermittently within 365 days of the qualifying event. It specifies that only one parent can take leave in the case of joint adoption and outlines the conditions under which employees will be restored to their positions after the leave period. The act also mandates that the State of Alabama Personnel Department adopt rules for implementation and requires annual reporting on the use of parental leave.

In addition to establishing parental leave, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the donation of leave among state employees. It removes references to "family leave" and the specific provisions for donated leave related to adoption, while maintaining the ability for employees to donate accrued leave for catastrophic sick leave. The act ensures that paid parental leave is compensated at 100% of the employee's base pay and does not require the use of other leave types. Furthermore, it stipulates that health care benefits will continue during the leave period, and any unused parental leave will not carry over or be compensated upon separation from service.

Statutes affected:
Engrossed: 36-26-35, 36-26B-1