COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) - A controversy is unfolding in South Carolina’s public schools as some teachers have said they were denied paid, parental leave.

Rep. Neal Collins (R - Pickens) said he has spoken to three teachers who said they were denied paid parental leave after having stillbirths, something Collins said is against the law.

In 2023, state lawmakers passed a bill that gives public school employees who are the birthing parent six weeks of paid parental leave.

Collins said some districts are interpreting the law so that the legislation only applies to births where the child survives.

"Mothers suffering from this tragic event shouldn't have to worry about whether they get paid parental leave or not," he said.

Collins added that districts are telling women who experience stillbir

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