Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law a paid parental leave bill Wednesday, which will give state employees paid time off after the birth of a child.

The law, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, goes into effect July 1.

“In Alabama, we are committed to strengthening families and supporting those who serve our state,” Ivey said in a news release. “This new law reflects our values. No parent should have to choose between their paycheck and spending time with their newly welcomed child. Today, Alabama sends a clear message: We value families, and we value our workforce.”

Alabama is the 39th state to offer government employees a form of paid parental leave, according to the nonprofit A Better Balance.

This law will give Alabama female employees eight weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child. Male employees would receive two weeks of leave under the same circumstances. Adoptive parents of a child aged three or younger will also be eligible for parental leave – eight weeks for one parent and two weeks for the other at the choice of the parents, if both are eligible employees.

“First, if a teacher wants to start a family, she should have the proper maternity leave. That is why I am proud to have Senator Vivian Figures and Representative Ginny Shaver joining forces this year to pass a good, responsible parental leave bill to support both our state workers and teachers,” Ivey said during her state of the state address.

This law also includes a return-to-work provision, requiring employees to return for at least eight weeks after taking leave, with exceptions in certain circumstances, including serious health conditions.

Breonna Atkins is a senior at Carver High School in Birmingham and a reporting intern at AL.com through the Birmingham Promise program.