Senate Bill 220 (2026) — Paid parental leave
SB 220
Florida Bills
Florida Senate - 2026 SB By Senator Smith 17-00356-26 2026220__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled
An act relating to paid parental leave; amending s. 2 110.221, F.S.; defining the term “paid parental leave”; requiring the state to provide paid parental leave to certain employees for a specified period of time; prohibiting the state from requiring that an employee use his or her annual or sick leave for paid parental leave; providing that the employee is entitled to accumulate specified benefits during such leave; prohibiting the state from refusing to grant such leave; providing an effective date. 11
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13
Section
Section 110.221, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 16 110.221 Parental or family medical leave.— 17
(1) As used in this section, the term: 18
(a) “Family” means a child, parent, or spouse., and the term 20
(b) “Family medical leave” means leave requested by an employee for a serious family illness including an accident, 22 disease, or condition that poses imminent danger of death, 23 requires hospitalization involving an organ transplant, limb amputation, or other procedure of similar severity, or any mental or physical condition that requires constant in-home care. 27
(c) “Paid parental leave” means fully paid leave for the father or mother of a child who is born to or adopted by that Florida Senate - 2026 SB 220 17-00356-26 2026220__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. parent. 30
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d) The term “Parental leave” means leave for the father or mother of a child who is born to or adopted by that parent. 32
(2) The state shall provide weeks of paid parental leave to any employee in the career service following the birth or adoption of a child by the employee. The state may not require such employee to use his or her annual leave or sick leave during the initial 12-week period. The employee is entitled to accumulate all benefits granted under paid leave status. 38
(3) The state may shall not: 39
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a) Terminate the employment of any employee in the career service because of the pregnancy of the employee or the employee’s spouse or the adoption of a child by that employee. 42
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b) Refuse to grant to a career service employee: 43 1. Paid parental leave; or 44 2. Parental or family medical leave without pay for a period not to exceed months. Such leave shall commence on a date that is determined by the employee in consultation with the attending physician following notification to the employer in writing, and that is approved by the employer. 49
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c) Deny a career service employee the use of and payment for annual leave credits for parental or family medical leave. 51 Such leave shall commence on a date determined by the employee in consultation with the attending physician following notification to the employer in writing. 54
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d) Deny a career service employee the use of and payment for accrued sick leave or family sick leave for any reason deemed necessary by a physician or as established by policy. 57
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e) Require that a career service employee take a mandatory Florida Senate - 2026 SB 220 17-00356-26 2026220__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. parental or family medical leave. 59 (4)
(3) Upon returning at the end of parental or family medical leave of absence, such employee shall be reinstated to the same job or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay and with seniority, retirement, fringe benefits, and other service credits accumulated prior to the leave period. If any portion of the parental or family medical leave is paid leave, 65 the employee shall be entitled to accumulate all benefits granted under paid leave status. 67