House Bill 1063: Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act

March 20, 2025March 27, 2025 Bill Tracker

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On March 11, the House voted to concur with the Senate amendment to HB 1063. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature.  

Explanation of the Bill

HB 1063 creates paid leave for state employees. If passed, a primary caregiver, most often mothers, will be entitled to eight weeks of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. A secondary caregiver, most often fathers, will be entitled to two weeks of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. Employees must apply for leave at least thirty calendar days before the leave is to begin, if possible. Additionally, the leave must be used within twelve weeks of the birth or adoption of the child. 

The bill also stipulates paid parental leave 

• is compensated at 100% of the employee’s regular salary, 
• cannot be used more than once in twelve months, 
• is in addition to personal leave and other medical leave, 
• can be used concurrently with the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and
• cannot be used for retirement services or payment upon leaving the employment of the state. 

HB 1063 allows state employees to use up to six additional weeks of major medical leave for the birth or adoption of a child after using paid parental leave. School districts and community colleges are also authorized to adopt policies to provide for paid parental leave for employees. 

As it stands, Mississippi does not have mandatory or voluntary paid parental leave. While this bill would not cover most Mississippians, it creates a new precedent for paid parental leave in the state.

Senate Amendment

On March 4, the Senate amended HB 1063 to reduce the number of weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers to 6 weeks. They also deleted paid parental leave for secondary caregivers.

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