MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Fees, Salaries and Administration

By: Senator(s) White (29th)

AN ACT TO CREATE SECTION 25-3-96, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE LIMITED SPECIAL LEAVE WITHOUT PAY TO STATE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ADOPTIVE PARENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIAL LEAVE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEAVE MUST BE RESCINDED IF THE ADOPTIVE PROCESS IS NOT COMPLETED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. This section shall be codified as Section 25-3-96, Mississippi Code of 1972:

25-3-96. Special leave without pay shall be granted for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the time of adoption to employees who are adoptive parents, upon written request, to the appointing authority, accompanied by a statement from the adoption agency indicating the required bonding period. Additional special leave may be granted by the appointing authority up to the remaining bonding period required by the adoption agency but not to exceed one (1) year. If the adoption process is not completed, the approval of leave shall be rescinded. This section shall not apply in cases of step-child or adult adoption.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.