Dothan, Ala. — The Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 is one step away from becoming law after passing in the Alabama House on Thursday, following its approval in the Alabama Senate. The bill, which now awaits the signature of Governor Kay Ivey, promises to offer paid parental leave to state employees and teachers, a historic move for Alabama’s workforce.
If signed, the legislation will provide up to eight weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave for employees in the public sector after the birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage of a child. Currently, state workers must rely on sick leave or unpaid time off to take time off after the arrival of a child, a situation that many have long criticized as insufficient.
The bill is being hailed as a landmark achievement by various advocacy groups, including the Women’s Foundation of Alabama (WFA), which has been vocal in its support of paid parental leave. In a news release issued Thursday, the WFA described the bill’s passage as a “historic paid leave win for Alabama families.” The organization credited the leadership of Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile) and Representative Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg), who co-sponsored the bill, for driving its success.
Senator Figures, in an interview with the Associated Press, emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating that it would provide mothers with much-needed time to heal after pregnancy, improve retention rates among state employees, and enhance the state’s ability to recruit talent. Figures, who has been a vocal advocate for working families, also noted that Alabama’s workforce, particularly in education, is largely comprised of women—nearly 60% of state employees and 80% of teachers are women, according to WFA data.
For the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, this victory represents the culmination of years of advocacy. LaShundra Pinkard, interim President and CEO of the WFA, remarked that paid parental leave has been a core priority for the organization since 2022. Alongside other statewide advocacy groups, the WFA has fought for policies that support the well-being of working parents, particularly women.
The bill’s passage has generated widespread support, with many noting that the availability of paid parental leave could help reduce the financial strain on families, especially in the critical early days after childbirth. Additionally, proponents argue that offering paid leave would help alleviate burnout and improve job satisfaction, factors that could lead to better employee retention in a state struggling with worker shortages.
Governor Kay Ivey is expected to sign the bill into law, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to family leave. If enacted, the legislation will not only benefit working parents but could also serve as a model for other states considering similar reforms.
As Alabama’s lawmakers prepare for the bill’s final approval, advocates are celebrating what they see as a victory for families, working parents, and the future of Alabama’s workforce.
