Sen. Mann files legislation to expand family leave for Oklahoma educators

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has filed four bills expanding family leave for teachers and other other public school employees. Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, is the principal House author of the measures. Mann said the bills will build on legislation he and Gise passed last year, which gave teachers the opportunity to double their six weeks of paid family leave by using saved vacation or sick leave.

“We want to better support our Oklahoma teachers and their families. It’s simply the right thing to do, and it will also help us recruit and retain talented, dedicated educators,” Mann said. “These four bills will expand current law to include adoption, extend paid leave to new fathers, offer paid bereavement leave for the death of a spouse or a child, including a miscarriage, and expand paid family leave to 12 weeks.”

Mann’s legislation on family leave for educators includes:

• SB 1201: Adds adoption and expands paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child from six to 12 weeks.
• SB 1202: Adds six weeks paid time off for fathers after the birth or adoption of a child.
• SB 1203: Adds six weeks paid time off for adoption.
• SB 1204: Adds three days paid bereavement for teachers or support employees following the death of a spouse or child, including miscarriage in addition to and not in lieu of sick leave due to a miscarriage and recovery.

“Through bipartisanship, we were able to make positive changes on behalf of Oklahoma teachers and staff in the 2025 session,” Mann said. “I look forward to working on this new legislation with Representative Gise as we seek further improvements this session in how we support our educators and families.”

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For more information, contact: Sen. Mark Mann at 405-590-4471 or Mark.Mann@oksenate.gov