ROCKVILLE, Md. — Montgomery County’s council on Tuesday approved a bill that will give parents paid leave.

Bill 32-16 was passed unanimously by the county council and will give parents time off to care for newborns, and the arrival of adopted and foster children.

“Any workers can use the sick leave that they’ve already accrued for parental purposes,” said council member Tom Hucker, who explained the parental leave law is an extension of a bill on sick leave that passed last year.

“All Montgomery County workers accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours they work,” he added.

The bill is not restricted to county employees — it applies to anyone who works for a company in Montgomery County.

Hucker said there’s no added cost to employers, “and that’s why we didn’t have any testimony against this bill from the chambers or from any businesses.”

The bill goes into effect immediately as expedited legislation. Hucker calls the bill “critical protection for workers.”