Which US States Offer Paid Maternity Leave For Teachers?

Which US states provide paid maternity leave for teachers? Explore state policies, benefits, and more in this detailed guide.

Maternity Leave For Teachers

As a teacher, welcoming a new child into your life is a joyous milestone, but it often comes with financial and professional challenges.

Unlike many other developed countries, the United States lacks a federal mandate for paid maternity leave, leaving teachers to navigate a complex patchwork of state laws and district policies.

So, which US states offer paid maternity leave for teachers?

How do these policies support educators during this pivotal time?

In this comprehensive blog post, we will dive into the details, exploring the states that provide paid maternity leave, the nuances of their policies, and the broader context of teacher benefits.

This guide covers teacher welfare, whether you are an educator planning a family or simply curious.

The Importance Of Paid Maternity Leave For Teachers

Teaching is a profession dominated by women, many of whom are in their childbearing years.

However, the absence of consistent paid maternity leave policies can force educators to make tough choices, such as returning to work too soon, dipping into savings, or using up sick leave.

Paid maternity leave is not just about financial support; it is about giving teachers the time to recover, bond with their newborns, and return to the classroom refreshed and ready to inspire.

Research shows that paid parental leave improves health outcomes for both mothers and infants, reduces financial stress, and boosts employee retention.

For school districts facing teacher shortages, offering paid leave can be a powerful recruitment tool.

However, the US lags behind countries like Sweden (18 months at 80% pay) or Germany (14 weeks at full pay), making state-level policies critical for American educators.

The Federal Landscape: FMLA And Its Limitations

Before we explore state-specific policies, let us set the stage with the federal framework.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), enacted in 1993, is the cornerstone of parental leave in the US.

It guarantees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for eligible employees, including teachers, to care for a newborn, adopted child, or serious health condition.

To qualify, employees must:

• Work for an employer with 50+ employees within a 75-mile radius.
• Have been employed for at least 12 months.
• Have worked 1,250 hours in the past year.

While the FMLA ensures job security, it does not provide wage replacement, leaving many teachers in a financial bind.

Teachers often cobble together sick days, vacation time, or short-term disability to cover lost income, which can deplete their leave reserves and affect retirement benefits.

This is where state laws and district policies step in to bridge the gap.

States Offering Paid Maternity Leave For Teachers

As of June 11, 2025, several states have stepped up to provide paid maternity leave for teachers, either through dedicated laws for educators or broader paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs that include public school employees.

Below, we have compiled a detailed list of states offering paid maternity leave for teachers based on recent policies and updates.

States with Paid Maternity Leave For Teachers

Detailed Breakdown By State

Let us examine each state’s policy, including eligibility, benefits, and any unique features, in more detail.

Alabama

• Policy: Starting July 1, 2025, Alabama will offer 8 weeks of paid parental leave for female state employees, including public school teachers. Governor Kay Ivey signed this landmark policy into law, emphasizing Alabama’s commitment to supporting families and its workforce.
• Eligibility: Applies to full-time state employees, including teachers in public schools.
• Benefits: Full pay for 8 weeks, ensuring financial stability during recovery and bonding.
• Context: This move positions Alabama as a leader among Southern states, where paid leave policies have historically been limited.

Delaware

• Policy: Delaware’s Paid Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for state employees, including teachers, with contributions starting January 1, 2025, and benefits available in 2026. However, some districts have offered paid leave for years.
• Eligibility: Employees who work 1,250 hours in the past 12 months for a covered employer.
• Benefits: Partial wage replacement, with specifics varying by district.
• Context: Delaware’s program is part of a growing trend of states adopting PFML, with teachers benefiting from both state and local policies.

Georgia

• Policy: Since 2021, Georgia has provided 3 weeks of paid parental leave (120 hours) for state workers, including public school teachers.
• Eligibility: Full-time state employees, including educators.
• Benefits: Full pay for 3 weeks, though shorter than in other states.
• Context: Georgia’s policy is modest but significant in a region where paid leave is less common.

Iowa

• Policy: In 2025, Iowa will offer 4 weeks of paid leave for birth or adoption (1 week for paternity leave) for state workers, likely including teachers.
• Eligibility: State employees, with specifics depending on employment status.
• Benefits: Full pay for 4 weeks, supporting new parents.
• Context: Iowa’s policy reflects a recent push in Republican-led states to enhance family leave benefits.

New Jersey

• Policy: New Jersey’s Family Leave Insurance (FLI) program offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave with partial pay, available to public employees, including teachers, if their employer participates.
• Eligibility: Employees contributing to the FLI fund with specific earnings requirements.
• Benefits: Up to 85% of wages, capped at $1,070/week in 2025.
• Context: New Jersey is a pioneer in PFML, with robust protections for educators.

North Carolina

• Policy: Since 2023, North Carolina has provided 8 weeks of paid parental leave for public school employees, with state funding for substitutes.
• Eligibility: Full-time public school teachers and staff.
• Benefits: Full pay for 8 weeks, easing financial burdens.
• Context: This policy has been praised for supporting teacher retention in a state facing educator shortages.

Oklahoma

• Policy: Oklahoma offers 6 weeks of paid leave for school employees who give birth, backed by $12 million in funding since 2023.
• Eligibility: Public school employees with a focus on birthing parents.
• Benefits: Full pay for 6 weeks, with additional support for substitutes.
• Context: Part of a broader education reform package, this policy aims to attract and retain teachers.

South Carolina

• Policy: Since 2023, South Carolina has provided 6 weeks of paid leave for educators who give birth (2 weeks for non-birthing parents).
• Eligibility: Full-time public school educators.
• Benefits: Full pay for 6 weeks, with shorter leave for non-birthing parents.
• Context: South Carolina’s policy balances support for birthing and non-birthing parents, a progressive step.

Tennessee

• Policy: Tennessee offers 6 weeks of paid leave for all public school teachers and administrators for childbirth, adoption, or stillbirth, with state reimbursement to districts.
• Eligibility: Full-time public school employees.
• Benefits: Full pay for 6 weeks, fully funded by the state.
• Context: Passed unanimously in 2023, this policy reflects strong bipartisan support.

Washington

• Policy: Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for teachers, covering childbirth, adoption, or serious health conditions.
• Eligibility: Employees who worked 820 hours in the qualifying period.
• Benefits: Up to 90% of weekly pay, capped at $1,542/week in 2025.
• Context: Washington’s program is one of the most comprehensive, offering robust support for educators.

States With Conditional Or District-Level Policies

Some states do not have statewide mandates but offer paid maternity leave conditionally or through district-level policies.

These variations can create disparities among teachers, even within the same state.

States With Conditional Paid Maternity Leave For Teachers

Insights Into Conditional Policies

• Arkansas: Teachers may access 12 weeks of paid leave if their district participates in the state’s cost-sharing program. This conditional nature means coverage is not universal.
• California: While AB 2901 (Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act) proposes 14 weeks of paid leave starting January 2028, some districts like Los Angeles and San Diego already provide paid leave, often through union negotiations.
• Massachusetts: The Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program covers teachers unless their district opts out. For example, Boston offers 12 weeks (4 weeks at full pay, 4 at 75%, 4 at 50%), while Norfolk provides 2 weeks outside sick time.
• New York: The Paid Family Leave program is mandatory for private employers but optional for public ones. Districts like NYC and Rochester offer 12 weeks at 67% pay (capped at $1,177.32/week), but coverage varies.

The Broader Context: Why Paid Leave Matters

The patchwork of policies reflects a broader challenge in the US: the lack of a federal paid leave mandate.

Only 13 states, including Washington, DC, have mandatory PFML programs, and not all of them cover public employees like teachers.

These states include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and DC.

However, only a subset explicitly includes teachers in 2025.

States With PFML Programs (Not All Cover Teachers)

Challenges And Disparities

• District Variability: Even in states with PFML, teachers may face inconsistent benefits due to district opt-outs or local negotiations. For example, in Massachusetts, Newton teachers won 40 days of paid leave through union advocacy, while others relied on sick time.
• Financial Impact: Using sick leave for maternity depletes reserves, affecting retirement benefits and leaving teachers vulnerable to future absences.
• Equity Concerns: Low-income teachers and those in smaller districts are less likely to have access to paid leave, exacerbating inequities.

Recent Trends And Advocacy

The landscape is evolving, with more states recognizing the value of paid leave for teachers.

Since 2022, Republican-led states like Alabama, Iowa, and Oklahoma have introduced policies possibly influenced by post-Dobbs abortion policy shifts.

Teacher unions, like the National Education Association (NEA) and California Teachers Association (CTA), are also driving change.

For example:

• California’s AB 2901: Advocates like Ashley Thompson, a pregnant speech pathologist, highlight the financial strain of unpaid leave. The CTA is pushing for 14 weeks of paid leave by 2028 to address this “maternity penalty.”
• Massachusetts: Teachers like Libby Longley in Norfolk secured 2 weeks of paid leave through union efforts, a small but significant victory.
• National Push: The NEA emphasizes that paid leave is critical for teacher retention, especially amid shortages. Only 32% of teachers report access to paid parental leave, and fewer than half find it adequate.

Comparison With Other Professions

Teachers often fare worse than private-sector employees in large firms, where 35% offer paid parental leave.

For example, tech companies like Google provide 18-22 weeks of paid leave, while teachers in states without mandates rely on sick days.

This disparity fuels advocacy for equitable policies, as educators argue they should not be penalized for shaping future generations.

Looking Ahead: The Future Of Paid Leave For Teachers

The momentum for paid maternity leave is growing, with states like Delaware, Maine, and Minnesota set to launch PFML programs in 2026.

However, achieving universal coverage requires federal action or broader state mandates. Teachers can advocate for change by:

• Joining unions to negotiate better benefits.
• Contacting state legislators to support paid leave bills.
• Sharing personal stories to highlight the need for reform.

For now, teachers in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington can rely on paid maternity leave.

However, others must navigate district policies or the FMLA. Always check with your school district or state labor department for the latest details, as policies can change.

Conclusion

Paid maternity leave for teachers is more than a benefit.

It is a lifeline that supports educators, families, and communities.

While states like Alabama and Washington lead the way, the US has a long road to equitable leave policies.

At THOUSIF Inc. – USA, we are passionate about empowering professionals with the knowledge to thrive.

We hope this guide clarifies which states offer paid maternity leave for teachers in 2025 and inspires you to advocate for change.

Explore more career and education insights on our website, and let us keep the conversation going!

Have questions or stories about teacher maternity leave?

Please share them in the comments below!

Trivia: A Surprising Fact

Did you know that in 1975, California teachers in Mt. Pleasant and Berryessa school districts filed discrimination lawsuits to overturn policies forcing pregnant women to take unpaid leave from their seventh month until their child was six months old? Their collective action led to policy changes, paving the way for modern maternity leave advocacy.

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THOUSIF Inc. - USA

Our editorial team at THOUSIF Inc. – USA is a group of experts who aim to create well-researched, highly informative, and helpful content.

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