Sen. Mann wins unanimous support of Education Committee for paid bereavement bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has won the support of the Senate Education Committee for legislation to better support teachers and staff following the death of a spouse or child, including miscarriage. Senate Bill 1204 was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Losing a spouse or child is a devastating experience. This bill would provide three days paid bereavement for teachers and support employees experiencing such losses,” Mann said. “The bill also extends those three days of paid bereavement following a miscarriage, and that is in addition to sick leave for the recovering mother.”

The measure must next be approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee before it would be eligible for a floor vote. Mann said he was encouraged by the bill’s initial passage.

“Supporting our professional educators and staff during such a difficult loss is just the right thing to do,” Mann said. “I want to thank Senator Pugh, the chair, for hearing this legislation and the members of the Education Committee for their support. This is a benefit many of our state’s major employers already provide. Improving benefits for our teachers and staff will help us better compete for and retain educators in our Oklahoma schools, and it’s simply the right thing to do.”

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