It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 28-48 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD28-48-11. Use of sick leave for adoptive parents. -- Any employer who allows sick time or sick leave of an employee to be utilized after the birth of a child shall allow the same time to be used for the placement of a child sixteen (16) years of age or less with an employee in connection with the adoption of the child by the employee. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 1996.