Indiana teachers could soon get paid parental leave under House-backed bill

Indiana teachers could receive paid parental leave in a measure advanced by House lawmakers Wednesday. Schools are not currently required to provide parental leave, but an amendment to SB 146 would change that.

Under the measure, full-time teachers who have worked for a school corporation for more than six months would be entitled to at least 20 days of paid parental leave after they or their spouse give birth, adopt or experience a stillbirth. Part-time teachers would receive at least 10 days.

Teachers would have six months from the date of the birth, adoption or stillbirth to take their leave.

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The bill says school corporations must pay teachers their regular rate during parental leave. That leave would be separate from sick days, personal days and vacation days, but could run concurrently with Family Medical Leave time.

The provision was added to a bill that would raise base teacher pay to $45,000 across the state.

The bill passed committee unanimously and will advance to the full House.
 

Kirsten is Indiana Public Broadcasting's education reporter. Contact her at kadair@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @kirsten_adair.