New legislation in Texas establishes a state employee family leave pool that takes effect Sept. 1, 2021. The purpose of the bill is to give eligible state employees more flexibility in bonding with and caring for children during the child’s first year following birth, adoption or foster placement, and in caring for a seriously ill family member or the employee. The pool allows a state employee to voluntarily transfer leave (sick or vacation) to a family leave pool. Employees in need of leave can then apply for leave time from the family leave pool. Employees can’t withdraw more than the lesser of one-third of the total leave time in the pool or 90 days.