MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Boyd
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE EMPLOYEE MATERNITY LEAVE ACT TO PROVIDE SIX WEEKS OF PAID LEAVE TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE STATE FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi State Employee Maternity Leave Act."
(2) For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Maternity" means the birth of a child to a pregnant mother and the custody of and care for that infant child in its first six months of life.
(b) "Eligible beneficiary" means a state employee, as defined in Section 25-3-91(c), who has given birth to a child and who has been employed with the state for at least two (2) consecutive years.
(c) "Paid leave" means leave from work at the employee's full rate of pay.
(3) The state shall offer to all eligible beneficiaries at least six (6) weeks of paid leave for maternity purposes. An eligible beneficiary may only use such leave continuously and within six (6) months of the birth of the child.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring an eligible beneficiary to use the leave offered to them, nor shall this section be construed as abrogating or otherwise modifying the provisions of Section 25-3-95(9).
SECTION 2. Section 1 of this act shall be codified in Title 25, Chapter 3, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.