ATLANTA (February 10, 2016) | On Tuesday, the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 297. Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah), Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee, sponsored SB 297 to give adoptive parents, who are state employees, the option and right to use their accrued leave to care for an adopted child.
“I’m grateful we were able to work together to pass this important legislation and I look forward to having Senate Bill 297 heard on the Senate floor,” said Sen. Jackson.
SB 297 will allow adoptive parents to take up to six weeks of their accrued annual or sick leave to care for their child. The leave can only be used by the adoptive parent who is primarily responsible for the care of child. The six weeks of accrued leave must be taken within one year of the adopted child’s placement. Also, the adoptive parent has the option to take the leave consecutively. SB 297 is not a requirement, but is simply an option and benefit for those that choose to take their accrued leave to help the child with the adjustment of placement.
SB 297 will now head to the Senate Rules Committee.
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For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2016
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Ines Owens, Sr. Communications Specialist
Ines.Owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028