South Carolina · S.11 / Act 249

State employee parental leave (S.11, Act 249): paid leave for the non-birth parent rises from two weeks to four

Effective Oct. 1, 2026

Published October 18, 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026

What it does

The act amends the two state laws on paid parental leave for state employees: Section 8-11-150 (births and foster children) and Section 8-11-155 (adoptions). Its title says it amends the definition of “eligible state employee” and increases certain paid parental leave. (Act No. 249, title)

• Birth and foster care. Eligible state employees who give birth or have a stillbirth get six weeks of paid parental leave; “other eligible state employees who do not give birth are entitled to receive four weeks.” Leave is at 100% of base pay. (Section 1, § 8-11-150(A)(3), (B)) The conference version of the bill shows “two” struck and “four” inserted. (Bill 11, version of June 25, 2026)
• Adoption. An eligible employee primarily responsible for the care of an adopted child gets six weeks; an eligible employee who is not primarily responsible gets four weeks. (Section 2, § 8-11-155(B))
• Who is eligible. “Eligible state employee” now means a person employed by any unit of state government “who occupies a position eligible to earn annual leave,” including people at state four-year and postgraduate institutions and technical colleges. For births and foster care, that includes full-time equivalent, temporary grant and time-limited positions at those schools. (§§ 8-11-150(A)(2), 8-11-155(A)(2)) The struck language previously referred to “an employee occupying any percentage of a full-time equivalent position.” (Bill 11, version of June 25, 2026) Part-time employees get prorated leave. (§ 8-11-150(A)(3))

Who it affects

• State employees in agencies, boards, commissions, public colleges and universities, and technical colleges who are new parents through birth, foster care or adoption. (§§ 8-11-150, 8-11-155)
• Not private employers or local governments: the act covers only state employees. (Act No. 249)

What it means for you

• Use it within a year. The leave must be used within 12 months of the birth or placement; unused leave is forfeited and can’t be donated. One six- or four-week leave per 12-month period, even with more than one qualifying event. (§ 8-11-150(C)(1)–(2))
• Consecutive days, except foster parents may ask for nonconsecutive one-week periods. If both parents are state employees, they can take leave at the same time or at different times. (§ 8-11-150(C)(3)–(4))
• Doesn’t use up your other leave. It is paid leave, not annual or sick leave, and it runs at the same time as Family and Medical Leave Act leave. Legal holidays don’t count against it, and you keep accruing annual and sick leave. (§ 8-11-150(C)(5)–(6))
• No child can have more than two parents eligible for the leave. (§ 8-11-150(A)(1))

Cost and impact

The act does not include a cost estimate. The Division of Human Resources of the Department of Administration must issue regulations, guidance and procedures to carry it out. (§§ 8-11-150(D), 8-11-155(D))

Current status

The Senate passed the bill 45–0 on April 1, 2025. The House amended it and passed it 110–0 on May 13, 2026. A conference report was adopted June 25, 2026, 104–0 in the House and 38–0 in the Senate. It was ratified June 29 and signed by the Governor on June 30, 2026, as Act No. 249. (Bill history)

What happens next

The act took effect October 1, 2026, and “applies to qualifying events thereon or thereafter.” The four-week leave does not apply to births, placements or adoptions before October 1. (Act Section 3)

Sources

• SC Legislature: 2025-2026 Bill 11, status, history and ratified text
• Ratified text of Act No. 249 (Word)
• SC Legislature: Bill 11 as of June 25, 2026 (struck and new language)

Legislators connected to this bill

Current members listed as sponsors on the official bill page, or with a sourced public statement about it. Details and sources are on each member page.

SC Senate

• Sen. Darrell Jackson (Senate District 21): sponsor
• Sen. Tom Davis (Senate District 46): sponsor

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.