Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida government employees are receiving expanded family and maternity leave under a new policy approved by the governor and Florida Cabinet.

Previously, employees had to use sick and annual leave, or unpaid leave, after the birth of a child. Now, full-paid maternity leave is expanded to seven weeks and parental leave to two weeks.

Under the new rule, sick leave can be used to “bond with a new child” for up to four months, the governor’s office added.

“When I became Governor, I made it a priority to champion policies that support families and empower parents,” DeSantis said. “As a father of three, I know how instrumental those first weeks are for new parents and their children.”