Bill would give breaks for school events

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri parents could be guaranteed time off work to attend a school event with their child if enough lawmakers support the proposal.

State Rep. Karla May of St. Louis recently filed legislation that would allow parents and legal guardians to take off eight hours from work a year.

Parents could use that time to attend school events with their children that overlap with work. They would first need to try planning any activities outside their work schedules.

Employers could deny the leave if it could cause unusual difficulty for the business.

Parents or guardians would get eight hours each academic year per child. Employers could limit that to three-hour increments and require proof from the school.