JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi House passed the Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act.

According to House Speaker Jason White (R-Miss.), House Bill 1063 passed in a 114-0 vote.

The bill would provide state employees eight weeks of 100% paid leave as the primary caregiver after the birth or adoption of a child and two weeks for the secondary caregiver.

“As a pro-life state, Mississippi is in a critical position to meet the needs for healthier outcomes for parents and children and to support families in our state’s workplace,” said White.

The bill will now head to the Mississippi Senate for consideration.