The bill, H.B. No. 4704, establishes a paid parental leave policy for public school employees in Texas, allowing full-time employees of school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to receive paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy mandates eight consecutive weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and four weeks for spouses of primary caregivers. It also sets eligibility criteria, requiring employees to have worked 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. Additionally, the bill 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 public school teachers are now eligible. It also introduces a new allotment under the Foundation School Program, which provides funding to school districts for the cost of paid parental leave based on the employee's compensation during the leave period. The provisions of the bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with specific sections having a delayed implementation date of September 1, 2025.

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