ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Wednesday the bill granting all state teachers and state employees three weeks of paid parental leave following the birth, adoption or fostering of a child.
The bill could cover nearly 250,000 people across the state. It goes into effect on July 1.
“I think it really speaks to who we are, and where we are in the state of Georgia right now,” Kemp said shortly after the signing ceremony at the State Capitol on Wednesday. “We want to have a great work force. We need good people in state government to keep our government running.”
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Lawmakers introduced the paid parental leave bill last year, but it got derailed by the pandemic delays and by political rivalries between the Georgia House and Senate. But it passed overwhelmingly during the 2021 session of the General Assembly.
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“We need good people in state government to keep our government running,” Kemp said. “When you look around the country where governments are not running well, it’s hard to have a great business environment. This will be something that will make it beneficial for people to work in state government.”
House Speaker David Ralston issued a statement on the bill thanking its sponsor, State Rep. Houston Gaines (R) Athens and others for getting the bill passed.
“This new paid parental leave benefit for state employees and teachers demonstrates our continuing commitment to Georgia’s families as they welcome a new child through birth, adoption or foster placement,” Ralston wrote. “While this measure does not impose any mandate on private businesses, it is our hope that it may also serve as an example for businesses looking to attract and retain the best employees. "
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