Little Rock, Arkansas – The City of Little Rock has taken a major step to support working families by fully implementing a new paid parental leave policy for its municipal workforce. The program, the first of its kind for a city in Arkansas, provides up to 12 weeks of paid time off to eligible full-time employees who welcome a new child into their families.
City leaders say the policy reflects a commitment by Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., and the Little Rock Board of Directors to strengthen families while promoting a healthier work-life balance. The paid leave initiative was adopted as part of the City’s 2026 budget and is now fully in effect.
Mayor Scott emphasized that the new benefit allows parents to focus on bonding with their children without the stress of lost income.
“The City of Little Rock takes seriously the importance of work-life balance and prioritizing families, and we show that through our paid parental leave program,” Mayor Scott said. “Now, mothers and fathers are able to be fully present during those first few precious weeks and months, instead of being concerned about losing a paycheck or rushing back to work. This essential time of bonding and recovery has a lasting impact, and our employees, their children and our entire City will be better for it.”
Policy supports families and workforce stability
Under the new policy, both mothers and fathers may take leave to care for and bond with a new child through birth, adoption, foster care placement, or surrogacy. Parents experiencing pregnancy loss are also eligible.
Full-time employees who have worked for the City for at least one year qualify for up to 12 weeks of paid leave. Those with less than one year of service may receive six weeks of paid leave.
Officials say the policy adds to a strong package of employee benefits already offered by the city. These include generous paid time off, short-term disability leave, employer-paid health insurance premiums, and relocation incentives of up to $5,000 for new full-time employees moving to Little Rock. The city has also taken steps in recent years to improve wages, becoming the first municipality in Arkansas to establish a $15-an-hour minimum wage for all municipal employees.
Research cited by city leaders indicates that paid parental leave provides long-term benefits for families and communities. Studies show the policy can reduce the risk of postpartum depression in mothers and help parents transition back to work more smoothly. Additional research links paid leave to improved infant health outcomes, including lower rates of low birth weight and infant mortality, as well as increased breastfeeding rates. For fathers, longer leave periods are associated with stronger involvement in family life.
Community organizations and child health advocates have praised the initiative, calling it a meaningful investment in families and workforce stability.
“We are incredibly proud of the City of Little Rock, which is an Excel by Eight community, for adopting a 12-week paid parental leave policy,” said Angela Duran, executive director of Excel by Eight. “Through our community work, we’ve seen how local leadership can turn awareness into action. This is a meaningful step forward for working families and a powerful example of what’s possible when communities prioritize both workforce strength and retention and child well-being.”
Keesa Smith-Brantley, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, also applauded the move.
“AACF is excited to see the City of Little Rock’s new parental leave policy, and we celebrate the city’s commitment to strengthening families and supporting working parents. Studies have long shown that parents need the opportunity to bond with their new child without having to worry about their families’ financial health or their job security. By providing parental leave to mothers and fathers, the city is showing its commitment to ensuring that employees have job security while prioritizing what is most important- their families. We are proud of the city for setting this example and hope to see this trend continue throughout Arkansas.”
City officials say the policy marks a milestone in Little Rock’s ongoing effort to attract and retain a strong workforce while building a supportive environment for employees and their families. By investing in family well-being, leaders believe the city is strengthening its community for generations to come.
