What to know about paid parental leave in Arkansas
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Paid family leave is still not mandated in Arkansas, but new laws in other states are expanding access to benefits for expecting and new parents.
The big picture: The U.S. offers 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid family leave for some employees but does not have a paid federal parental leave policy.
- Meanwhile, most countries guarantee paid maternity leave, as well as paid paternity leave.
The latest: Pregnant people are now entitled to "reasonable accommodations" — like working remotely and taking time off for health care appointments — thanks to the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act.
- And because of the PUMP Act, breastfeeding parents are entitled to break time and a private place to pump (that isn't the restroom).
Between the lines: Without statewide requirements, there are two main ways to get wage replacement in Arkansas during parental leave, and they can be combined:
- Through your employer.
- Only about 27% of Americans working in the private sector have access to paid family leave when they welcome a new child, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau.
- In Arkansas, a new law allows eligible state-government employees up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.
- Northwest Arkansas' largest employer, Walmart, increased its paid leave for salaried employees from six weeks to 12 last year. The University of Arkansas recently announced it would increase its paid-leave policy from four weeks to six.
- From short-term disability, if you're a birthing parent.
- Workers could have the option to purchase short-term disability insurance as an add-on before pregnancy.
- There's a law in the state allowing for voluntary paid family leave insurance.
What we're watching: With paid-leave laws set to go into effect in 2026 in Delaware, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota, we'll see if there's any movement in Arkansas.
Go deeper: Six months of paid parental leave is optimal but not realistic