The House on Wednesday narrowly passed a bill that seeks to provide six weeks of paid maternity leave for state employees.
House Bill 1426, which would give up to $500 a week to women employed for at least a year, passed the House by five votes with a 56-28 margin.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, said many of his colleagues were surprised the state didn't provide paid maternity leave for its employees and that the bill would not only attract quality workers but it also would strengthen families.
"It's not very often that we can vote for a bill that directly impacts workforce development and also reinforces family values," Tucker said. "All the research shows women are more likely to be employed 12 months after they give birth if they are eligible for paid maternity leave, and they are much less likely to be on government assistance 12 months after they have a baby if they have paid maternity leave."
State employees who receive the leave would have to sign a contract committing them to return to work for four times the duration of their paid leave, Tucker said.
Such a measure, he said, will help reduce turnover, which can cost the state both in terms of efficiency and in having to find full-time replacements.
Tucker said the projected fiscal impact is about $354,000 a year but that it is probable the annual figures would be lower.
"The fiscal impact is actually very small," Tucker said. "At the end of the day we don't want young women ... [having to choose] between being reproductive and having a career in [state government] and having a baby."
Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, said he liked the bill's intentions, but said that state employees typically already have nicer benefits than those in the private sector.
If the state wants to be more competitive, Ballinger said, he's willing to have a debate over higher pay for state employees.
"At this point in time it's not the right move," Ballinger said.
Metro on 03/26/2015