Effective Oct. 1, 2022, paid parental leave became available to eligible state employees for qualifying events including birth, stillbirth, adoption and foster placement. Effective Oct. 1, 2026, the laws governing paid parental leave were amended.  Refer to sections 8-11-151 and 8-11-155 of the S.C. Code of Laws.

The date of the qualifying event determines which version of the Paid Parental Leave law applies.

• Events on or after Oct. 1, 2026: The amended law applies.
• Events from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2026: The law in effect before the 2026 amendments applies.

Employees should contact their agency’s human resources office to confirm their eligibility and the amount of leave available.

Sections 8-11-151 and 8-11-155 of the S.C. Code of Laws do not provide paid parental leave to employees of private employers.

Additional Resources

For more information about paid parental leave, view the following resources: 

• Paid Parental Leave Guidelines for Qualifying Events Which Occur On or After Oct. 1, 2026 (.doc)
• Paid Parental Leave Toolkit for Qualifying Events Which Occur Before Oct. 1, 2026 (.pdf)