Family Leave Updates for SPS Employees

On September 7, 2023, Governor Hobbs announced changes to the family leave offerings for eligible State Personnel System (SPS) employees. The changes are effective September 2, 2023.

Summary of Changes

1. The State established a new Paid Parental Leave (PPL) pilot program to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to eligible employees following the birth of a child, or the new placement of a foster or adoptive child in the home occurring on or after January 1, 2023. Employees no longer need to use their own leave balances or take leave without pay when they add to their families. This PPL must be taken within the 12 months following the birth or placement of the child, unless an exception is granted.
2. The State is increasing from 40 to 480 hours the maximum amount of earned sick leave hours an employee may use per calendar year to care for a sick spouse, dependent child or parent. So, employees may now use more of their regularly accrued sick leave to care for their loved ones.
3. For cases where both spouses are state employees, each spouse may use a maximum of 12 workweeks of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave for the birth and care of a newborn child, placement of a child for adoption or foster care, or to care for a parent who has a serious health condition. And each spouse can use up to 26 work weeks of leave to care for an eligible military service member with a serious injury or illness.

The HRD website https://hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion provides more information, including Statewide Policy ASPS/HRD-PA6.05, Family Sick and Paid Parental Leave Pilot Program, a Frequently Asked Questions document, and a request form for Paid Parental Leave. For more information about these new policies, please contact your HR representative.