Bill would double paid parental leave time for South Carolina employees

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – State representatives passed a bill that could double the amount of paid parental leave for teachers and state employees.

If ratified, H. 3490 parent who gives birth up would have up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, compared to the current six week leave period.

But, with only three days left in the year’s current legislative session, the bill’s future is uncertain.

A parent who did not give birth to a child would also see a two-week increase in leave time.

“Whether or not I’m the birthing parent or not, the bond that you have with your child, particularly at birth, is something that is special,” said Rep. Beth Bernstein (D – Richland).

The bipartisan bill was passed with a vote of 86 to 18, sparking controversy among some House members.

Rep. Josiah Magnuson (R – Spartanburg) voted against this bill, despite having voted for the bill years ago. He said the language is unvetted.

“Now, I don’t know about you, but I believe that our government should acknowledge mothers and should acknowledge fathers,” Magnuson remarked. “You’re saying, let’s tax the people of South Carolina, most of whom don’t get paid parental leave, and give them to state employees who already have six weeks of paid parental leave. “

But Rep. Neal Collins (R – Pickens) said Pickens County has budgeted $115,000 for paid parental leave and found no negative impact on taxpayers.

“The costs are relatively minimal, and I think they can be absorbed, and this is just a great opportunity to say we respect, and we support, teachers and, state employees as a whole,” Collins said.

Patrick Kelly works as a public school teacher and is the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. He also has two daughters and said the bill would have helped him spend more time with family after his wife gave birth.

“I took a week off when our daughters were born, but that was coming out of my balance,” Kelly recalled. “To see this focus on both parents, to see a recognition of the importance of dad having time with the new baby [is important]. “

Kelly said he is happy with the state government’s support for educators, because two years ago, South Carolina became the first state in the southeast to offer six weeks of paid parental leave to state employees.

Though there is probably not enough time for the bill to make it through the Senate, the legislation will be enter the chamber in January 2026.