A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 8-11-150(A), RELATING TO PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ELIGIBLE STATE EMPLOYEE".

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 8-11-150(A) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (A) For the purposes of this section:

       (1) "Child" means a newborn biological child or foster of a child in state custody and under the age of eighteen.  No child can have more than two parents eligible for paid parental leave.

       (2) "Eligible state employee" means an employee occupying any percentage of a full-time equivalent position any person employed full-time by this State, its departments, agencies, or institutions, including any person employed full-time by a four-year or postgraduate institution of higher education under the control of the State or a technical college supported and under the control of the State.

       (3) "Paid parental leave" means six weeks of paid leave at one hundred percent of the eligible state employee's base pay or two weeks of paid leave at one hundred percent of the eligible state employee's base pay.  Leave for part-time eligible state employees must be on a prorated basis corresponding to the percentage of hours they are normally scheduled to work.

       (4) "Qualifying event" means the birth of a newborn biological child to an eligible state employee or after a co-parent's birth of a newborn child or fostering a child in state custody.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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