In a major win for Alabama’s public sector workers and their families, Governor Kay Ivey has signed SB 199—the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025—into law. The legislation, which goes into effect July 1, 2025, grants paid parental leave to public school educators, community college staff, and state employees for the first time in the state’s history.

Under the new law, women who give birth, experience a stillbirth, or suffer a miscarriage after 12 weeks will be eligible for eight weeks of paid leave. Fathers in those same circumstances will receive two weeks. Adoptive parents of a child under the age of three can also access paid leave—eight weeks for one parent and two weeks for the other, depending on eligibility.

“No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child,” said Governor Ivey in a statement. “Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce.”

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, and carried in the House by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, passed the House by an overwhelming 94-2 vote on March 20.

The law has already drawn praise from educators across the state, including in Huntsville.

Dr. Dana Indihar, Professor of Microbiology and Virology at Alabama A&M University, told the Huntsville Business Journal the legislation will have meaningful, real-world impact:

“The bill will be helpful, especially for new parents or teachers and state employees looking to start families. It’s nice to see that Alabama is supporting families and promoting the physical and mental well-being of the parents it employs.”

A Madison City Schools teacher, who wished to remain unnamed, welcomed the change but pointed out a concern shared by many working parents:

“I think the bill is a positive step for educators who wish to become parents, however, the discrepancies between the male and female time off seems inequitable.”

According to A Better Balance, a nonprofit advocating for family-supportive workplace policies, Alabama is now the 39th state to offer paid parental leave to government employees.

The law was a top recommendation of Governor Ivey’s Study Group on Efficiency in State Government, which saw paid leave as a way to improve employee recruitment and retention—something neighboring states like Tennessee have already benefited from.

“Paid leave is an essential tool for workforce and economic growth,” said Sen. Figures. “It provides education and state employees the opportunity to care for their newborn or newly adopted child without worrying about unnecessary financial strain.”

The Legislative Services Agency estimates that the benefit will cost the state approximately $10,750 per employee taking eight weeks and $2,600 for those taking two weeks. The leave is not accruable and requires employees to return to work for at least eight weeks after their leave ends, barring certain health exceptions.

While the passage of this law is being celebrated, advocates note that around 80% of Alabama workers still lack access to paid family leave through their employers. Fourteen states have enacted broader paid family and medical leave programs that apply to workers beyond the public sector—something advocates hope Alabama will consider in the future.

“By providing paid parental leave for state employees and education employees, we are not only recognizing the fundamental importance of family, but also investing in the well-being and stability of our workforce,” said Rep. Shaver.

Governor Ivey echoed that vision in her State of the State address earlier this year:

“If a teacher wants to start a family, she should have the proper maternity leave. That is why I am proud to have Senator Vivian Figures and Representative Ginny Shaver joining forces this year to pass a good, responsible parental leave bill.”

As Alabama takes this long-awaited step toward supporting working parents, many hope it’s a sign of more comprehensive, equitable leave policies to come.