State employee urges committee to expand paid maternity leave to 12 weeks in SB 426 testimony

Little Rock — Brooke Holloway, a state employee who is 34 weeks pregnant, asked the Senate committee to support legislation (Senate Bill 426) to extend paid maternity leave for state employees from four weeks to 12 weeks.

Holloway said the current four weeks is insufficient for medical recovery and bonding, noting that many doctors do not clear patients to return to work until six weeks postpartum and that postpartum depression and anxiety affect about "20 percent of new mothers," a statistic she cited to underscore health implications. "Twelve weeks of paid maternity leave would be the biggest blessing to state employees and mothers and families," she said.

Committee members thanked Holloway and noted they would consider the bill when it is formally brought before the committee. The chair allowed her testimony despite scheduling the bill's formal hearing later in the day because she could not return after an appointment.

No committee action was taken on SB 426 during the session recorded in the transcript.