This bill amends Arkansas law to require certain employers to provide paid maternity leave. Specifically, it introduces a new section, 11-5-119, which defines "covered employer" as any entity engaged in commerce with fifty or more employees for at least twenty calendar workweeks in the current or preceding year. It also defines "eligible employee" as a full-time employee who has been employed for at least twelve months. Covered employers that provide abortion-related benefits must offer twelve weeks of paid maternity leave to eligible employees, which can be compensated at either 100% of the employee's salary or a twelve-week average weekly pay.

The bill outlines additional stipulations regarding eligibility for paid maternity leave, stating that it is limited to birth mothers enrolled in the employer's health benefit plan. The leave begins immediately after childbirth, and employers are not required to submit additional information to the state regarding this leave. If an employer offers a more generous maternity leave policy, the employee is not restricted to the twelve weeks mandated by this bill. However, employees cannot combine maternity leave benefits with other paid leave offered by the employer. Employers may also fulfill the requirements by combining maternity leave with other forms of paid leave within their benefits package.