HLS 23RS-872 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 104
BY REPRESENTATIVE JENKINS
STATE EMPLOYEE/LEAVE: Requests the implementation of paid parental leave for all
state employees
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the State Civil Service Commission for classified state employees and
3 all appointing authorities who have the authority to implement and adopt leave
4 policies for unclassified state employees to adopt paid parental leave policies, which
5 allow state employees to take care of a newborn child, recently adopted child, or
6 recently placed foster child, in addition to the sick and annual leave available to state
7 employees.
8 WHEREAS, offering competitive, paid parental leave to employees is an effective
9recruiting tool, especially in a competitive labor market; conversely, not offering paid
10parental leave is detrimental to recruiting and retention efforts; most job applicants indicate
11that a company's parental leave policy is important to them when considering whether to
12accept an offer and many employees would be willing to switch jobs if it meant they could
13be more involved in caring for a their new child; and
14 WHEREAS, competitive parental leave policies can enhance the work environment
15and culture and increase employee retention; economic studies have shown that access to
16paid family leave significantly increases the likelihood that workers will return to their jobs
17instead of dropping out of the labor force; and
18 WHEREAS, in a 2019 evaluation of parental leave, the legislative auditor found that
19parental leave policies for state employees varied in the level of detail in the policies and that
20there were inconsistencies in the application of leave policies not just between different
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1agencies, but also within the same agency; in addition, the legislative auditor found that
2consistency in the application and implementation of leave usage policies is important; and
3 WHEREAS, in the 2019 evaluation of parental leave, the legislative auditor further
4found that adopting additional parental protections and benefits for all state employees may
5improve Louisiana's competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining state employees; and
6 WHEREAS, all classified state employees are subject to rules and regulations
7regarding leave adopted by the State Civil Service Commission; according to the annual
8turnover report by state civil service, the number of separations from state classified
9employment for resign-for-pay and resign-for-personal reasons has increased and these shifts
10may be representative of the current labor market and an indication that employees are
11willing to resign for better benefits and pay; the report further indicated that state agencies
12struggle to fill vacancies; and
13 WHEREAS, unclassified employees in the executive branch of state government, in
14the legislative branch of state government, and in the judicial branch of state government are
15subject to leave policies adopted by the various appointing authorities; and
16 WHEREAS, high turnover rates can disrupt business operations and impact the
17ability of state agencies to carry out their missions, and state agencies need as many
18recruiting and retention tools as possible to combat turnover and improve employee retention
19and morale.
20 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
21Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the State Civil Service Commission
22for state employees in the classified service and all appointing authorities who have the
23authority to adopt and implement leave policies for unclassified employees in state
24government to adopt and implement paid parental leave policies, which allow state
25employees to take care of a newborn child, recently adopted child, or recently placed foster
26child, in addition to the sick and annual leave available to state employees.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor, the chief justice of the supreme
28court, each higher education management board, the presiding officers of the legislature, and
29the State Civil Service Commission shall submit a copy of the paid parental leave
30implemented by agencies and officials for state employees within their purview, or if no
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1policy has been implemented, a report regarding barriers or impediments preventing the
2implementation of paid parental leave to the House Committee on House and Governmental
3Affairs and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library no later than December 1,
42023.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
6State Civil Service Commission, the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, each
7higher education management board, and the presiding officers of the legislature.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 104 Original 2023 Regular Session Jenkins
Requests the adoption and implementation of paid parental leave policies for state employees
to take care of a newborn child, recently adopted child, or recently placed foster child in
addition to sick and annual leave. Requires the submission of either a copy of the paid
parental leave implemented by the State Civil Service Commission and other agencies and
officials for the state employees within their purview or, if no policy has been implemented,
a report regarding barriers or impediments preventing the implementation of paid parental
leave to the House and Governmental Affairs Committee and to the David R. Poynter
Legislative Research Library no later than Dec. 1, 2023.
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