NAPE/AFSCME union members fought hard at the bargaining table to negotiate six weeks of paid maternity leave in our next labor contract that will take effect on July 1, 2025. State Senator Dunixi Guereca (LD 7, Omaha) has prioritized a bill that will grant 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for all state employees.
LB224 would allow state employees who give birth to a new child to have up to twelve weeks of paid leave to be used within the first six months after the birth of the child. It also guarantees the employee can return to their same or similar job and prohibits retaliation for utilizing the leave.
NAPE/AFSCME testified in support of the bill before the legislature’s Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. After the hearing, the committee voted 6-2 to advance the bill to the full legislature. Senators Rita Sanders (LD45, Bellevue), John Cavanaugh (LD9, Omaha), Megan Hunt (LD8, Omaha), Dan McKeon (LD41, Amherst), and Dave Wordekemper (LD15, Fremont) joined Guereca in support. Senators Bob Anderson (LD49, LaVista) and Dan Lonowski (LD35, Hastings) voted against advancing the bill.
Senator Guereca’s priority designation increases the odds that the bill will be considered by the full legislature this session. Be sure to call or email your state senator and encourage them to vote in favor of LB224. You can find your state senator by clicking here.
