Workforce development has been a major focus in the Legislature, especially since the pandemic and the Great Resignation, impacting not only Oklahoma but the entire nation. I held an interim study last fall to see why women, in particular, have been leaving the workforce at such a high rate, and learned that lack of maternity leave and access to affordable childcare were two of the most common reasons.
So, this session, I filed Senate Bill 193 to provide six weeks of paid maternity leave for full-time state employees, following the birth or adoption of a child. Although highly debated, the bill passed the Senate and is awaiting further consideration in the House. To qualify for the leave, mothers would have to be employed by the state for at least two years prior to requesting off.
Leave could be used for the birth or adoption of a child. Employees would not be required to use their accrued leave for the initial six-week period but could request to use such leave for any additional time off they might need up to 12 weeks as is required by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
