The Mississippi House of Representatives took a huge step forward for families by unanimously passing a bill to provide state employees with paid parental leave. Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, alongside partners across the state, have been on the frontlines championing this critical bipartisan legislation to ensure more Mississippi families have the time needed to welcome a baby or adopted child into their homes.
Mothers, caregivers and workers across the state are struggling to maintain their families’ economic security during what should be a joyous and beautiful time: welcoming a new child. Families in our state often face difficult choices between their careers and their responsibilities as parents due to the lack of work-family support like paid leave. The passage of this bill in the Senate will ease that burden, offering relief to the parents who give so much to the workforce and their communities.
To be clear, the Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (HB 1063) isn’t perfect—it would provide paid parental leave specifically just after birth or within the initial weeks after an adoption, but does not include provisions for any potential ongoing medical treatment or family caregiving issues.
We often hear from many workers who suffer from chronic health conditions or who care for other family members but are forced to either take unpaid leave, use all of their sick time (if any is available), or be forced off the job completely. Nearly 79% of workers in Mississippi do not receive paid family leave through their employers, and many low-wage workers of color are even less likely to have access to paid family leave.
Without access to paid leave, workers, including those in the public sector, are forced to choose between taking care of their health or risking their paycheck. As caregivers continue to fall through the gaps and remain ignored, Mississippi has the nation’s lowest workforce participation rate at 53.9%.
However, H.B. 1063 is an important first step to better supporting Mississippi’s hardworking families. What this bill does is guarantee eight weeks of paid parental leave for state employees, including university employees, who are the primary caregivers for their child and two weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers—a vital step toward ensuring that parents can bond with their children without the stress of financial hardship. And they can save their accrued sick time or major medical leave for when they need it.
Importantly, this bill would also keep essential workers connected to the public sector workforce while caring for a new child. This would help to fill in growing vacancies and recruit new talent. As such, this legislation reflects a commitment to the well-being of families, especially in light of the challenges many face in Mississippi such as devastating disparities in infant and maternal health. To date, Mississippi remains one of only 12 states that currently do not offer paid parental leave for their state employees.
Over the years, there has been growing momentum across the South in states like Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee to provide paid parental leave for employees in the public sector like state employees and K-12 educators. We are proud to see Mississippi take steps to join these states in supporting new parents who work for the state. Policies like paid parental leave and family leave have resulted in higher employee retention and productivity, as well as increased growth to the state’s economy because more caregivers have the support they need to stay healthy and connected to the workforce.
The bill is now headed to the Senate, and it is crucial that senators pass it without delay. If Mississippi truly wants to be a state that supports families, especially in this post-Roe era, this is our opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The Senate must act swiftly to ensure the passage of this policy, which will make Mississippi more competitive in retaining and recruiting the best talent.
Mississippi families deserve the same protections and opportunities as those in other states, and this bill is an essential step toward ensuring that they get them. As the bill moves to the Senate, the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable is prepared to work closely with legislators, to provide education on why this policy is essential for Mississippi families and to uplift the lived experiences of Mississippi families. We will continue advocating for policies that uplift all women—regardless of employer—as well as working families and communities across the state.
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