The bill, known as the "Advancing Rights for Caregiving, Health, and Extended Recovery (Maternity Leave Protection for Teachers) Act" or the ARCHER Act, aims to enhance maternity leave provisions for teachers in Oklahoma. It amends existing laws regarding sick leave and paid maternity leave, allowing eligible full-time employees of public school districts to utilize accrued sick leave to extend their maternity leave beyond the standard six weeks provided after childbirth. The bill specifies that this sick leave can be used for recovery from childbirth, bonding with a newborn, or caring for a newborn, and does not require additional approval from the school board as long as the employee has sufficient sick leave. Additionally, it mandates that sick leave used for this purpose shall not exceed six weeks unless a licensed medical professional certifies the need for additional leave.

The bill also includes provisions for the funding of paid maternity leave through the Public School Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund, ensuring that adequate funding is appropriated by the Legislature each fiscal year. If the Legislature fails to provide sufficient funding, the State Board of Education is tasked with allocating funds from its budget to cover the costs of paid maternity leave. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and includes various amendments to existing laws, such as the deletion of certain language regarding sick leave and the insertion of new provisions that clarify the rights and responsibilities of employees and school districts concerning maternity leave.