AR SB426

Extends paid maternity leave for Arkansas state employees from 4 weeks to 12 consecutive weeks with full pay for maternity purposes.

Expands eligibility to include biological children, adoptive children under one year of age, and foster placements of infants under one year of age.

Employees must use the 12-week leave within the first 12 weeks after birth, foster placement, or adoption of a child.

Prohibits employees from receiving an additional 12 weeks of leave for adoption if they already took 12 weeks of leave following the initial foster placement of the same child.

Declares an emergency effective upon Governor's approval, with the finding that maternity leave improves maternal and infant health, employee retention, and reduces future sick leave usage.