HR 1048: General Assembly; adopt the Georgia Bereaved Parents and Family Support Act of 2026; urge

House Resolution 1048

By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and McClain of the 109th

A RESOLUTION

Urging the introduction, consideration, and adoption of the Georgia Bereaved Parents and Family Support Act of 2026 to provide job-protected bereavement leave for parents who experience the death of a child; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the death of a child is among the most devastating and life-altering experiences a parent or family can endure, resulting in profound and lasting emotional, psychological, and physical impacts; and

WHEREAS, existing bereavement leave practices in Georgia are often limited, inconsistent, or insufficient, frequently requiring grieving parents to return to work before they are emotionally or mentally prepared; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes that workplace policies grounded in equity, dignity, and compassion strengthen families, improve workforce stability, and support long-term community well-being; and

WHEREAS, employers commonly provide extended leave for maternity, paternity, or parental bonding, reflecting an understanding that major family life events require meaningful recovery time, and similar consideration should be afforded to parents grieving the loss of a child; and

WHEREAS, legislative models from other states demonstrate that job-protected bereavement leave can be implemented responsibly without mandating paid leave and without imposing undue burden on employers, while improving employee retention and mental health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, allowing the use of accrued paid leave while maintaining job protection respects both the needs of bereaved families and the operational realities of employers; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes that providing up to two weeks of job-protected paid bereavement leave following the death of an immediate family member, including a child or parent and including loss resulting from violent or criminal acts, supports workforce stability, reduces lost wages and productivity disruptions, mitigates long-term mental and physical health costs, enables affected individuals to participate fully in law enforcement and judicial processes, and promotes a safe, timely, and productive return to employment while respecting employer flexibility and economic realities; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has the opportunity to lead with compassion by establishing a humane and consistent framework that recognizes the unique and lifelong impact of child loss on parents and families.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the introduction and adoption of legislation to be known as the Georgia Bereaved Parents and Family Support Act of 2026, that would provide up to six weeks of job-protected bereavement leave for parents who experience the death of a child; limit bereavement leave to no more than two weeks per deceased family member, with a maximum of four weeks total, ensuring balanced and equitable application; apply to employers with twenty-five or more employees, aligning with existing employment thresholds; not require paid leave, while permitting employees to use accrued paid leave, vacation, sick leave, or other available leave during the bereavement period; include job protection and anti-retaliation provisions, ensuring employees may return to the same or an equivalent position without adverse employment action; and center the unique, lifelong impact of child loss, affirming Georgia's commitment to dignity, compassion, and support for working families.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the Governor of Georgia, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the chairs of the appropriate House and Senate committees for consideration during the 2026 legislative session.