PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

SB 188 creates a new law requiring New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave to full-time school employees who have worked for 52 consecutive weeks. The leave covers birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child, is paid at the employee’s regular rate, and must be used within a 52-week period. School districts will be reimbursed by the state for costs like substitute staff, and schools must report on employee demographics and leave usage annually. This law directly affects school employees and ensures job protection during leave without impacting retirement benefits or requiring leave exhaustion.