Iowa Gov. Reynolds Signs Paid Parental Leave Law for State Employees

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a landmark bill providing paid family leave for state government employees, granting four weeks of paid leave for new mothers and adoptive parents, and one week for other new parents. The legislation, which had been a priority for Reynolds over the past three years, passed with near-unanimous bipartisan support and makes Iowa the 25th state to offer such benefits. The new law allows state employees to take time away from work to bond with their newborn or newly adopted children, addressing a previous gap where no dedicated paid family leave existed for state workers. Reynolds emphasized Iowa's commitment to being a "pro-family state" in social media posts following the signing. Alongside the family leave law, the governor also approved bills affecting rural healthcare and education, including new graduation requirements and restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in certain public institutions. These legislative actions reflect a broad agenda Reynolds is advancing during the 2025 legislative session.