The Oklahoma Senate has rejected a measure that would give some parents more time to spend with their newborn or adopted children.

Senate Bill 549 would have pushed state employees' pregnancy and adoption leave allowance past the federal 12-week minimum. State Sen. David Holt, the bill's author, said he wants to give a mother and father at least 20 weeks of time to spend with their child. The bill wouldn't apply to parents working for private businesses.

Holt presented the bill on the Senate floor Wednesday, but it failed in a 20-to-22 vote. Bills in the Senate need 25 votes to pass.

“The bill didn't receive any questions or debate, and then it failed,” said Holt, R-Oklahoma City. “As I was walking around during the vote trying to desperately get enough votes to bring it up to 25, I found that people had a very outdated view of current employment practices. I think we're just going to have to educate them over the next few days.”