The bill, S.B. No. 237, establishes a paid parental leave policy for public school employees in Texas, allowing full-time employees to receive paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy mandates that school districts or open-enrollment charter schools provide eight consecutive weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and four weeks for spouses of primary caregivers. Additionally, it sets eligibility criteria, requiring employees to have been employed full-time for at least 12 months prior to taking leave, and stipulates that the leave must be taken concurrently with any leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The bill also requires a biennial report to the legislature on the usage and costs of the paid parental leave policy.

Furthermore, the bill amends the eligibility criteria for free prekindergarten programs, adding that children of classroom teachers in public primary or secondary schools are now eligible. It also introduces a Healthy Families Allotment, which entitles school districts to an annual allotment equal to the compensation of employees who took paid parental leave. The provisions of the bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with specific sections taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 29.153 (Education Code 29)