A lawmaker says she wants state employees to use their sick days for illness not to care for a new baby.

That's why state Senator Amanda Maes Bledsoe, a Republican from Lexington, says she's proposing legislation that would give state government workers up to four weeks of paid leave after birth or adoption.

And two weeks for foster care or kinship care placement.

Supporters call Senate Bill 142 pro-family, pro employee and pro taxpayer and say it will help attract and retain workers, which has been a challenge for the state.

During my time on City Council council, I worked with a number of incredible young professionals.

I watched them get married in their families and saw firsthand how many of them struggled to stay.

Vacation time worked while they were sick, tried to figure out how I could forego vacations or other hours to find out how they could pay off those first few weeks at home with their kids.

I didn't think it was ideal for them, for the employees, for us, for their families.

I don't have to tell you how pro-family it is.

You should know that the policy shows that we are firmly a commitment to families and we support them in the early months.

The policy is pro employee two but providing four weeks, we ensure that employees actually use their sick time for when they're sick, they don't bring illness to workplace.

That's a better environment for everybody.

Kentucky has done an excellent job in recent years in passing laws defending the unborn and protecting unborn life.

And we support and applaud all of those efforts.

The other side of that coin, when it comes to truly building a culture of life that values life, requires us to support families in vulnerable circumstances and to stand with them through the challenges they face.

The absolute least we can do is to do right by those who work directly for the Commonwealth.

I watched many great law enforcement officers leave state government and take roles with cities and counties and other positions within the private sector for a variety of reasons.

Nothing less important than benefits like paid family leave.

As time has gone on.

We know that state government is somewhat struggled to recruit, retain quality law enforcement for a variety of reasons.

If we want good, strong mental health with our law enforcement and a strong workforce, I think we can all agree we want to see our families who have members that choose to serve our Commonwealth, grow and put roots down here.

Paid family leave is just another tool the state can use in recruiting and reclaiming law enforcement.

Some panel members say they hope the bill will lead to paid parental leave for other family situations like giving foster care.

Families time to bond.

The bill was for discussion only.

No vote was taken.