School Related Parental Leave - State Laws
Many states and the District of Columbia mandate that private employers give employees unpaid time off to attend activities at their child’s school or day-care. Eligibility and requirements for school-related leave laws vary. See below for more information by state.
California
- Finding, enrolling, or reenrolling their child in school or with a licensed child care provider
- Participating in school or childcare provider activities
- Addressing a childcare provider or school emergency
An employer who employs 25 or more employees working at the same location must comply with the law. See the law for more information.
Colorado
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.’s school-related parental leave law requires all mployers to provide up to 24 hours of leave per year for employees to attend school-related activities with their children. All employers in D.C. are required to provide this leave.
- Work for a public or private employer with at least 50 employees in Illinois
- Have been employed at least six months
- Have been employed at least half-time
Employees must provide a written request for leave at least seven days in advance, or no more than 24 hours in an emergency.
See the Illinois website for more information.
Louisiana
In Louisiana employers must provide up to 16 hours per year at the employer’s discretion to participate in children’s educational activities. Employees may use any types of accrued leave to participate in his or her children’s educational activities. “Employer” means any person who pays compensation to an employee in exchange for the performance of services.
See the law for more information.
Massachusetts
All Massachusetts employers must allow up to 24 hours per year leave to participate in children’s educational activities or accompany a child, spouse, or elderly relative to a routine medical appointment, under the Small Necessities Leave Act. An employee may elect, or the employer may require the employee to use paid vacation, personal leave, medical or sick leave during the absence. If the need for leave is foreseeable, the employee must provide seven days’ notice.
School-related activities include:
- Participating in school activities, such as parent-teacher conferences or interviewing for a new school
- Accompanying a child to routine medical or dental appointments, such as check-ups or vaccinations
Accompanying an elderly relative to routine medical or dental appointments, or appointments for other professional services related to the elder’s care
Minnesota
Employers with one or more employees must provide up to 16 hours per year to participate in children’s educational activities. The employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the request. An employee may use accrued vacation or other paid time off for the absence.
See this Minnesota fact sheet for more information.
Nevada
Employers with 50 or more employees must allow up to four hours per school year for employed to attend school activities. The leave is unpaid and the employer may require the employee to provide up to five days written notice and the leave must be at a time mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee. Nevada also makes it unlawful to terminate an employee for attending school conferences or for receiving notification of a child’s emergency at work.
- Attending parent-teacher conferences
- Attending school-related activities during regular school hours
- Volunteering or being involved at the school during regular school hours
- Attending school-sponsored events
See the law for more information.
New Jersey
Under New Jersey’s earned sick and safe leave law, which applies to all New Jersey employers, employees may use their paid sick leave to attend a child’s school-related conference, meeting, function, or other event requested or required by school officials. Per the rules, this could include sporting events, plays, or similar activities. In addition, employees may use their time to attend meetings regarding care provided to child in connection with the child’s health conditions or disability. All New Jersey employees are eligible for paid sick leave with limited exceptions.
See the New Jersey website for more information.
North Carolina
All employers must allow up to 4 hours per year to participate in children’s educational activities. The leave must be at a time mutually agreed upon by the employer and employee. Additionally, the employer may require at least 48 hours written notice, along with verification from the school.
See the North Carolina website for more information.
Rhode Island
Employers with 50 or more employees must provide up to 10 hours per year to participate in children’s educational activities. Employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 consecutive months and work an average of at least 30 hours per week. The leave is unpaid, however, an employee may substitute accrued vacation or other paid time off.
See the Rhode Island Fact Sheet for more information.
Vermont
Employers with 15 or more employees who are working an average of 30 or more hours per week are required to provide up to four hours in a 30-day period, not to exceed 24 hours in 12 months. Vermont law also provides an additional 24 hours in 12 months to attend to the routine or emergency medical needs of a child, spouse, parent, or parent-in-law or to participate in children’s educational activities. This leave is limited to no more than 4 hours in any 30-day period. The employee must provide at least seven days’ notice, except in the case of an emergency, and the employee must make a reasonable attempt to schedule appointments outside of regular work hours.
See this Vermont Guide for more information.
