Know the Facts: Parental Leave in South Carolina

Without a sweeping federal leave policy in place (except FMLA, which has restrictions based on company size and payment terms), many people are left to navigate the rules of their resident state. While South Carolina is ranked as  one of the worst states from a parental leave policy, there have been significant developments in policy in recent years.

Here are some fast facts to be aware of:

1. Paid Parental Leave for State Employees: In 2022, South Carolina approved a bill to provide state employees up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave. Under this policy, state employees who welcome a new child through birth or adoption will receive six weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and two weeks for secondary caregivers. Additionally, state employees who foster a child will receive two weeks of paid leave.

 Employees are not required to use their paid vacation or sick days before taking paid parental leave.

2. Paid Parental Leave for Teachers: In 2023, the House passed a bill that provides teachers and other school district staff up to six weeks of paid leave when they give birth or adopt a child. This bill bridges the gap from  previous legislation , as parental leave benefits for educators were not included in a prior  law that allowed parental leave for state employees. If this bill becomes law, South Carolina would be the first state in the Southeast to provide parental leave for teachers (it passed the House unanimously).

 3. Qualifying Events: Qualifying events include the birth of a newborn biological child, the birth of a newborn child to a co-parent, fostering a child in state custody, or the initial legal placement of a child through adoption. These events must occur on or after October 1, 2022, to  be eligible  for paid parental leave.

While these developments are a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done to provide comprehensive access to paid family and medical leave for all. These rights must be extended to all employees, not just state employees and educators. Without a comprehensive leave act in place at the federal or state level, thousands of parents are left with the difficult choice to choose between leaving the workforce and raising children.