Sec. 5. (a) A teacher who is pregnant may continue in active employment as late into pregnancy as the teacher wishes, if the teacher can fulfill the requirements of the teacher’s position.

     (b) Temporary disability caused by pregnancy is governed by the following:

(1) A teacher who is pregnant shall be granted a leave of absence any time between the commencement of the teacher’s pregnancy and one (1) year following the birth of the child, if the teacher notifies the superintendent at least thirty (30) days before the date on which the teacher wishes to start the leave. The teacher shall notify the superintendent of the expected length of this leave, including with this notice either:

(A) a physician’s statement certifying the teacher’s pregnancy; or

(B) a copy of the birth certificate of the newborn;

whichever is applicable. However, in the case of a medical emergency caused by pregnancy, the teacher shall be granted a leave, as otherwise provided in this section, immediately on the teacher’s request and the certification of the emergency from an attending physician.

(2) All or part of a leave taken by a teacher because of a temporary disability caused by pregnancy may be charged, at the teacher’s discretion, to the teacher’s available sick days. However, the teacher is not entitled to take accumulated sick days when the teacher’s physician certifies that the teacher is capable of performing the teacher’s regular teaching duties. The teacher is entitled to complete the remaining leave without pay. However, the teacher may receive compensation for the pregnancy leave under a collective bargaining agreement or, if the teacher is not represented by an exclusive representative, by governing body policy.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-6-4.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.