1/21/14: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables certain employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons, to care for a newborn or a seriously ill family member; or 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a seriously-injured servicemember. (Learn more.)
The FMLA was first introduced in Congress in 1984 — and passed by Congress in 1991 and again in 1992, but vetoed by President George HW Bush both times. Congress passed the FMLA again in 1993, when it was signed into law in 1993 by President Clinton. Since the passage of the FMLA, dozens of proposals have been introduced to expand the scope of the leave — or to offer paid leave. Many states have already expanded FMLA provisions for their states' workers, and changes to the federal FMLA would create a national standard.
Four states (California, New Jersey, Washington and Rhode Island) have created their own paid family and medical leave programs. In addition, Congress has proposed paid sick time for short-term leave, as well as other bills related to work-life policies. (In 2011, Connecticut became the first state to require that employers offer paid sick time to certain workers.)
Bills Related to the FMLA and Workplace Flexibility
Here are some bills introduced this Congress. Share your voice with POPVOX, and we'll deliver your message to Congress.
- S 1810
Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (The FAMILY Act)
(HR 3712 in the House.) To provide paid family and medical leave benefits to certain individuals. "Would create an independent trust fund within the Social Security Administration to collect fees and provide benefits. This trust would be funded by employee and employer contributions of 0.2 percent of wages each, creating a self-sufficient program that would not add to the federal budget. The expected cost to the average worker would be similar to the expense of one tall latte a week. Benefit levels, based on existing successful state programs in New Jersey and California, would equal 66 percent of an individual’s typical monthly wages up to a capped monthly amount that would be indexed for inflation," according to bills sponsors.
- HR 1751
Family and Medical Inclusion Leave Act
To permit leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent who has a serious health condition. (S 857 in the Senate)
- HR 515
To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide leave because of the death of a son or daughter. (S 226 in the Senate)
- HR 517
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act
To provide that 4 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave.
- HR 675
Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
To extend protections to part-time workers in the areas of employer-provided health insurance, family and medical leave, and pension plans.
- HR 1333
To amend title 38, United States Code, to grant family of members of the uniformed services temporary annual leave during the deployment of such members.
- HR 1286
To allow Americans to earn paid sick time so that they can address their own health needs and the health needs of their families. (S 631 in the Senate)
- HR 2559
Flexibilities for Working Families Act
To permit employees to request, and to ensure employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions. (S 1248 in the Senate)
- SRes 139
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
