Paid parental leave: What to know about Georgia

Paid family leave is still not mandated in Georgia, but new laws across the country are expanding access to benefits for expecting and new parents.

Why it matters: Studies have shown parental leave can lower the risk of developing postpartum depression and can provide better interactions between the birthing parent and child.

The big picture: As of July 1, eligible state government employees in Georgia qualify for 12 weeks of paid leave .

• The U.S. offers 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid family leave for some employees, but doesn't have a paid federal parental leave policy.
• Meanwhile, most countries guarantee paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave .

The latest: Pregnant people are now entitled to " reasonable accommodations ," such as the ability to telework and take time off for health care appointments, thanks to the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act .

• And because of the PUMP Act , breastfeeding parents are entitled to break time and a private place to pump (that's not the bathroom).

State of play: More Atlanta moms are going back to work less than a year after giving birth, census data released last year show.

• About 68% of women who gave birth in 2022 were at work within a year, a 4% increase from 2010.
• For comparison, 67% of U.S. women who gave birth went to work less than a year later in 2022.

Between the lines: Without statewide requirements, there are two main ways to get wage replacement in Georgia during parental leave, and they can be combined:

• Through your employer: Only about 27% of Americans working in the private sector have access to paid family leave when they welcome a new child, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau.
• From short-term disability, if you're a birthing parent: Workers could have the option to purchase short-term disability insurance as an add-on before they're pregnant.

What we're watching: With paid leave laws set to go into effect in 2026 in Delaware, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota, we'll see if there's any movement in the Peach State.

Go deeper: How to determine your paid family leave plan

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