Harnett County commissioners table paid parental-leave proposal for more study

County HR consultant Janice Lane presented a draft paid parental-leave policy that would provide up to four weeks of paid leave to birth mothers and two weeks to spouses or adoptive/foster parents, with the remainder of any needed leave coming from accrued time or FMLA.

Commissioners questioned the disparity for adoptive parents, particularly when newborn bonding needs are identical regardless of delivery method. Multiple commissioners suggested modifying the draft to treat parents of newborns equally; one commissioner proposed an age-based clarification (for example, extend the four-week bonding period where the child is under age 2). After discussion, the board voted to table the proposal so staff and management could return with a revised draft.

Janice Lane said the draft was created after internal HR work and legal review and noted that other counties and Harnett County Schools use longer leave periods in some cases; she said staff could make adjustments to expand adoptive-parent leave if the board desired. No final policy was approved at the meeting; staff were directed to take the requested revisions and return with an updated proposal.