TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 8-11-150 SO AS TO PROVIDE TWELVE WEEKS OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES DUE TO THE BIRTH, ADOPTION, OR FOSTER CARE OF A SON OR DAUGHTER.

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

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 11, Title 8 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 8-11-150.    (A)    Any person employed full time by this State, its departments, agencies, or institutions is entitled to a total of twelve weeks of leave during any twelve month period for one or more of the following:

        (1)    the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for such son or daughter; or

        (2)    the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.

    (B)    The entitlement to leave under subsection (A) expires at the end of the twelve month period beginning on the date of such birth or placement. If the leave is not used by the employee before the end of the twelve month period to which it relates, it does not accumulate for subsequent use.

    (C)    Leave granted under this section is with pay and is not annual leave or sick leave."

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