Bauer comments on Gov. Braun’s Executive Order extending parental leave
Today, Mar. 3, Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order extending bereavement and parental leave for state employees.
State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) released the following statement:
“Today, I’m encouraged to see that Gov. Braun has signed Executive Order (EO) 25-34, which establishes new paid leave policies for state employees who experience childbirth or stillbirth. Under this EO, eligible employed women will receive six weeks of paid childbirth recovery leave, or up to eight weeks if they deliver via C-section. This policy also extends to employees who experience the heartbreaking loss of a pregnancy after 20 weeks. These benefits are now available to all state employees, regardless of how long they’ve been employed.
“In 2022, I authored legislation to expand bereavement and parental leave through House Bill 1244. This bill would have provided full-time employees of state agencies or political subdivisions with 150 hours of paid leave and part-time employees with 75 hours of paid leave upon the birth of their child or their spouse’s child, the adoption of a child, or in the tragic event of a stillbirth.
“Unfortunately, despite the clear need for these measures, the bill did not receive a hearing. In the 2022 Special Session, I proposed an amendment to HB 1001 that mirrored my efforts in HB 1244, once again advocating for expanded parental leave for state employees. This amendment was met with staunch opposition and ultimately voted down with a 29-62 outcome.
“It is disheartening that the legislative Republican majority chose a record of disregarding the voices of working families and the emotional needs of parents during such critical life events. Their lack of support for these essential benefits reflects a troubling disconnect from the realities faced by Hoosier families. While I am pleased to see progress with today’s EO, it is evident that our work is far from over.
“This expansion of paid leave is a significant step forward, but it should not overshadow the fact that there has been a consistent resistance from Republican lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of working families. I, along with my fellow Indiana House Democrats, will continue to push for comprehensive parental leave policies. Parents deserve the time to celebrate the arrival of a child or to grieve the loss of one without the fear of jeopardizing their employment.
“As we move forward, I remain committed to strengthening employee benefits for all Hoosiers. I will persist in filing legislation to ensure that working parents receive the support they need to balance their family responsibilities and careers. It is my hope that we can foster a bipartisan dialogue that truly reflects the needs of the families we serve.”