New Senate Bill Seeks to Expand Federal Paid Leave

A group of senators recently introduced the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act, legislation designed to expand paid leave for federal employees to include 12 weeks of family and medical leave.

Senator Brian Schatz led the group of eight lawmakers introducing the bill. According to a statement from Schatz’s office, the legislation would guarantee 12 weeks of paid family leave for federal employees in all instances covered by the FMLA, such as:

• In order to care for the spouse, child, or parent of the employee, if such spouse, child, or parent has a serious health condition;
• Because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of the employee’s position; and
• Because of any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the spouse, child, or parent of the employee is on covered active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to covered active duty) in the Armed Forces.

“Right now, our laws are forcing federal workers to make the impossible choice between caring for their families and keeping their jobs,” said Schatz, in a statement.

“Our bill will provide federal workers with 12 weeks of paid leave, giving them the time they need to take care of their own health and their loved ones.”

Coming less than two months after the reintroduction of a bipartisan House measure that would provide federal employees with the same 12 weeks of paid leave, the new Senate bill has gained support of organizations such as the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

“Expanding paid family and medical leave ensures federal employees never have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and serving the American people,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley, in a statement.

“This legislation will strengthen the federal workforce, improve employee retention and help the government retain a competitive employer for the dedicated public servants our nation depends on.”