Big news for parents in Alabama.
The state just did something big: It recognized, officially and legislatively, that when parents are given time to bond with a new baby, to grieve a loss, or to settle into the whirlwind of adoption, everybody wins.
Governor Kay Ivey signed SB199, the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, into law this week, establishing paid parental leave for public employees—including teachers and state workers.
“In Alabama, we are committed to strengthening families and supporting those who serve our state,” said Governor Ivey, as reported by the Alabama Politcal Reporter. “This new law reflects our values. No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child. Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce.”
Here’s what the law delivers:
- 8 weeks of paid leave for female employees after childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
- 2 weeks for male employees in those same circumstances.
- For adoptive parents of children under 3, each eligible parent is entitled to 8 weeks of paid parental leave, subject to limitations. If both adoptive parents are eligible employees, one gets 8 weeks of leave, and the other gets 2 weeks.
- Employees must return to work for at least 8 weeks after taking leave, unless exceptions apply (e.g., serious health conditions).
Let’s be clear: this policy is a major milestone. A state put into law what OBGYNs, pediatricians, and plenty of exhausted moms have known forever: when new mothers are supported, children thrive, parents stay in the workforce, and communities get stronger.
But here’s the thing—in our view, if it’s good for public employees, it’s good for everyone.
Related: The U.S. is way behind in paid parental leave–but these 6 companies offer generous policies
Paid leave isn’t a perk—it’s a public good
Gov. Ivey put it simply: “No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child.” Yet the majority of new moms in America today do not have access to paid maternity leave. It’s out of touch. And it’s inhumane.
Paid leave improves maternal health outcomes, increases the likelihood that both parents bond with their child, and boosts retention for employers. It’s not just humane—it’s smart policy.
So why is this only available to state workers?
Families in hospitality, retail, restaurants, gig work, small businesses—they all welcome babies. They all face postpartum challenges. They all deserve to not have to choose between a paycheck and holding their newborn.
A strong start—but not the finish line
Alabama’s new law is proof that change is possible, even in places that haven’t always been at the forefront of family policy. It’s a big deal—and it should be a starting point, not a stopping point.
Because if we’re serious about valuing families, we have to support all of them. Whether you wear a government badge or an apron, a lanyard or scrubs—you deserve the chance to show up for your family without sacrificing your livelihood.
Let’s celebrate this moment. But let’s also keep going.
Related: It’s science: paid parental leave is good for baby’s developing brain