Senate panel advances Pugh’s school paternity leave bill

BY: NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL, Oklahoma Voice

FEBRUARY 17, 2026

The committee then gave unanimous approval of a bill that would create paternity leave for public school employees. Senate Bill 1337 mirrors an existing law that grants six weeks of maternity leave to full-time school employees after the birth of a child.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education estimates it would cost about $1.93 million to provide paternity leave to fathers of newborn children.

The bill’s author, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said the measure does “maximum good” for a minimal amount of money.

SB 1337 has been assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further review.