Kansas governor Jeff Colyer has signed an executive order that will provide paid parental leave to state employees.
The policy allows all state employees under the jurisdiction of the governor to be eligible for paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Primary caregivers will receive six weeks and secondary caregivers will get three weeks.
Governor Colyer said it’s an important initiative and “it shows how important our children are to us and how much we value family here in Kansas.” He said he wants state employees to have the same type of benefits seen in private businesses across the state and the nation. The new policy will apply to over 17,000 state employees, and Kansas joins 14 states and the District of Columbia in providing paid parental leave to all or some of their workforce.
Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation, said the governor’s action is great news for state employees and all Kansans who will benefit from a healthier, stronger and more productive state workforce. 
