Kentucky governor unveils paid leave plan for state workers with a new child or serious illness

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky plans to provide state employees with paid time off so they can bond with a new child or deal with a serious medical situation, Gov. The added benefit will give state executive branch workers up to six weeks of paid leave, available in three intervals during an employee’s career, the governor said. Based on current employment numbers, about 30,500 executive branch employees would be eligible for the added benefit once it takes effect, the state Personnel Cabinet said. Under the added benefit, six weeks of paid leave would be available to eligible workers facing a serious health condition or welcoming a new child through birth, adoption or foster care, Beshear said. And if you don’t, chances are you love someone who does.” Republican state Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe praised Beshear’s administration for offering the added leave benefit, calling it a “pro-family and pro-workforce step forward.” “I believe in the benefits of paid family leave and fully support implementing this benefit for our commonwealth’s employees,” she said in a statement.