FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

Governor Mike Braun signed an executive order Monday to expand paid  parental leave for state-employed Hoosiers.

The order grants workers “childbirth recovery” leave, regardless of how long they’ve worked for the state.

Under the new policy, employees can receive up to six weeks of paid leave if they give birth — and up to eight weeks of leave for those who have a cesarean section.

Braun says it’s important for employers to support the needs of new parents.

Braun says the new policies will benefit women recovering from childbirth, their spouses and the newborns, whose health and development will be improved by more time with their parents.”

The order also grants all full-time state employees up to 150 hours of new parent leave.