Alabama
ICYMI, we want to share some exciting news from Alabama! In March, the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 (SB199 / HB327) passed the legislature and is on the way to the Governor’s Desk. The bill will provide 8 weeks of paid leave for mothers and 2 weeks paid leave for fathers who are state employees or teachers.
Alabama Arise and A Better Balance posted: A Better Balance on X: “Alabama passed legislation that would give government employees—including teachers—paid parental leave! 🎉 Onto the governor’s desk! @AlabamaArise https://t.co/YHTKopTFFK” / X
Congratulations to Alabama Arise, A Better Balance, American Heart Association AL, March of Dimes, Alabama State Employees Association, and Women’s Foundation of Alabama for this huge step forward in Alabama!
Mississippi
There has been more movement on PFML! The Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (HB 1063) was signed into law! The policy will provide 6 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers who are state employees for the birth and adoption of a child, and it goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
Congratulations to Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, A Better Balance, and Mississippi Early Learning Alliance for all your work getting this law passed!
Here is an ABB post: https://x.com/ABetterBalance/status/1904906313164792260.
Here is a great article featuring Cassandra Welchlin, Executive Director of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable: https://www.supertalk.fm/womens-rights-advocates-celebrate-as-gov-reeves-signs-paid-parental-leave-bill-into-law/!
Virginia
For the second session in a row, a comprehensive paid family and medical leave bill passed the legislature, but last week Governor Youngkin vetoed the bill for a second time. Voices for Virginia’s Children, Freedom Virginia, and coalition partners will continue advocating for paid leave next session.
