State employees who are legal guardians by court appointment may take sick leave to care for a child in accordance with the leave provisions in Texas Government Code 661.202. The State Classification Office has concluded that the similarity in statutes of the duties of the parents and guardians evidences a legislative intent that leads to the conclusion that state employees who are guardians may use paid sick leave to care for the child in an equivalent manner as state employee parents. The State Classification Office reviewed statutes concerning the duties of parents and guardians.
Parents have the duty to provide care, control, protection, and medical care.
Guardians appointed by a court also have the duty to provide care, control, protection, and medical care for a child in their care.