BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1580

By: Metcalf

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

It is important that the state offer adequate incentives to attract high-quality employees and encourage a family-friendly culture at state agencies. While some employers offer paid parental leave, there is no statewide policy requiring paid parental leave for state agency employees. H.B. 1580 seeks to provide for 60 days of paid leave to certain state employees for the birth or adoption of a child.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 1580 amends the Government Code to entitle a state employee who is a member of the Employees Retirement System of Texas to 60 days of paid leave during their FMLA leave for the birth of a child, the birth of a child by their spouse or a gestational surrogate, or the adoption of a child. The employee may take this paid leave without first using all available and applicable paid vacation or sick leave. The bill expressly does not entitle an employee to any leave in addition to the FMLA leave.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2023.