prenatal, parental and infant wellness policy

On April 13, 2022, City Council passed an ordinance regarding Paid Leaves for Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness (PPI), which goes into effect May 14, 2022. The ordinance provides eligible City employees with:

• - (1) a maximum of 160 hours of paid prenatal leave for prenatal wellness healthcare appointments and other absences related to the pregnancy;
• - (2) a maximum of 320 hours of paid parental leave to bond and care for a child after the birth or placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care to be used within the first year after childbirth or placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care (maximum number of hours will increase to 480 effective September 1, 2023); and
• - (3) a maximum amount of forty (40) hours of infant wellness leave following the birth of a child or placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care to be used during the infant’s first year after birth.

PPI is available irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status or whether both employees are employed by the City.

To be eligible for PPI, an employee must meet the following criteria:

• Be a full-time employee (part-time and temporary employees are not eligible); and
• Been employed by the City of Houston as a full-time employee for at least six (6) continuous months prior to the initial use of PPI