Public Employees - As enacted, authorizes an eligible education employee to qualify for paid leave during the legal process for adopting a newly placed minor child, specifically during that period of time beginning with the filing of a petition for adoption when a minor child is initially placed within the residence of a prospective adoptive parent pursuant to a court-ordered parental power of attorney or guardianship or custodial order until the issuance of a final order of adoption by the court. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 36 and Title 37, Chapter 1.

SB 314 creates a new paid leave entitlement for eligible education employees in Tennessee during the adoption process. It directly affects public school staff and similar education workers who are adopting a minor child. The bill defines "adoption" to include the period starting when an adoption petition is filed and the child is placed with the prospective parent under a court order (like guardianship or custodial order), continuing until the court issues a final adoption decree. This extends paid leave coverage to cover the legal process phase, not just the final adoption. The law amends Tennessee Code sections related to public employee benefits (Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 36 and 37, Chapter 1).