South Carolina § 8-11-156 - Paid parental leave for eligible school district employees; adoption.

§ 8-11-156. Paid parental leave for eligible school district employees; adoption.

(A) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "Child" means a child initially legally placed for adoption and under the age of eighteen. No child can have more than two parents eligible for paid parental leave.

(2) "Eligible school district employee" means an employee defined by the Department of Education using the Professional Certified Staff system or any full-time equivalent position categorized as classified staff.

(3) "Paid parental leave", for the purpose of duration and percentage of base pay covered, has the same meaning as Section 8-11-155(3) for eligible school district employees.

(B) Eligible school district employees are entitled to paid parental leave to the same extent as employees of the State pursuant to Section 8-11-155.

(C) Paid parental leave usage includes the following:

(1) The entitlement to leave pursuant to subsection (B) expires at the end of the twelve-month period beginning on the date of such birth or initial legal placement. An eligible school district employee shall receive no more than one occurrence of paid parental leave for any twelve-month period, even if more than one qualifying event occurs. However, nothing in this item prohibits a foster parent from requesting and receiving approval for parental leave in nonconsecutive one-week time periods.

(2) If the leave is not used by the eligible school district employee before the end of the twelve-month period after the qualifying event, such leave does not accumulate for subsequent use. Paid parental leave may not be donated. Any leave remaining at the end of the twelve-month period or at separation of employment is forfeited.

(3) Days of paid parental leave taken under this section must be taken consecutively, except that foster parents may request and receive approval for parental leave in nonconsecutive one-week time periods.

(4) If both parents are eligible school district employees, paid parental leave may be taken concurrently, consecutively, or a different time as the other eligible school district employee.

(5) School district holidays and vacation on the district calendar must not be counted against paid parental leave. Where an employee's entitlement to leave under this section extends beyond their designated term of employment for their contractual term, a school district may enact policies to allow the affected employee to continue their period of leave in the subsequent contractual term, provided that the employee remains an eligible school district employee.

(6) Paid parental leave must run concurrently with leave taken pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act and any other unpaid leave to which the eligible school district employee may be entitled as a result of the qualifying event. However, leave granted under this section is with pay and is not annual leave or sick leave and therefore does not deduct from the eligible school district employee's accrued leave balance. An eligible school district employee does not have to exhaust all other forms of leave before being eligible to take leave granted under this section. Eligible school district employees shall accrue annual and sick leave at the normal rate while on this leave, if applicable.

(7) The use of paid parental leave by an eligible school district employee shall not prevent the eligible school district employee from earning a STEP increase the following year.

(8) Paid parental leave is considered paid leave and the time must count toward the eligible school district employee's years of service.

(D) All paid parental leave benefits shall be funded by the eligible school district employee's school district.

(E) The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations, guidance, and procedures to implement this section.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 17 (H.3908), SECTION 2, eff June 26, 2023.