Senate Education Committee approves bill allowing teachers to use sick leave to extend maternity leave

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has won unanimous approval from the Senate Education Committee for House Bill 1601, a bipartisan measure to allow teachers to use up to six weeks of accrued sick leave to extend their six-week maternity leave. Mann is the Senate principal author of the legislation.

“Oklahoma already provides six weeks of maternity leave for teachers,” Mann said. “Allowing educators to use the sick leave they’ve saved to extend that maternity leave by up to six more weeks will give both mothers and babies an even healthier start, plus it’s a benefit that will help with teacher recruitment and retention.”

Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, is the House principal author of HB 1601.

"In Oklahoma, we take care of those who care for our future," Gise said. "Supporting House Bill 1601 is about honoring Oklahoma’s educators with the same respect and dignity we expect them to give our children. No teacher should be forced to choose between bonding with their newborn and the profession they love. This bill strengthens families, supports life, and reaffirms our commitment to a pro-family, pro-education future."

The measure now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

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