West Virginia teachers who are pregnant or new mothers could access their county’s voluntary sick leave bank when needed, according to a bill that’s being considered in the House of Delegates.
Teachers can donate some of their personal days to be placed in a bank, where current state policy allows certain educators facing certain circumstances — like sickness or death in the family or — to access and use those donated days.
House Bill 4485 would allow educators in the public school system or in the higher education system to donate leave to employees who use maternity leave. The measure is sponsored by Del. Bill Bell, R-Wetzel.
Another bill, House Bill 4467, would make sure that women and mothers of newborn children who are employees of a public school system in this state have access to that donated leave bank for maternity leave.
“I think anything we can do to help mothers or expectant mothers, no matter how small, we should absolutely do,” said bill sponsor Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, who is a public school teacher.
“There needs to be fair and consistent application of personnel leave bank policy across all of the school systems. This will be a lifesaver for mothers who are in need and experiencing potential family emergencies. This also will help new school employees who are just starting their careers and their families,” he continued.
Pritt said the bill may be amended to include new mothers of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who would need additional time off work.
Dale Lee, co-president of teachers’ union group Education West Virginia, commended lawmakers on the measure but hoped the bill could be expanded to include mothers who are caring for children with extended illnesses.
“It’s not their jobs that are in jeopardy, it’s that they have to take days without pay so that‘s why it’s important to be able to donate days,” Lee said.
Counties couldn’t prohibit female teachers from using the sick leave bank for maternity leave, according to the bill.
The House’s Public Education Subcommittee discussed the bills on Tuesday, and the measures would need to be approved by the subcommittee before they could be advanced for further consideration by House members.
This article originally appeared on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
