Government affairs

The Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act (H.R. 1022 and S. 362) has been reintroduced in the House and Senate to provide federal employees up to six weeks of paid leave following the birth, adoption and fostering of a new child.

H.R. 1022 was introduced by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and is identical to S. 362, which was introduced by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

“As a young mom when I was a federal employee, I was acutely aware of the balance between raising a family and building a career,” said Rep. Comstock. “That is why I am teaming up with Congresswoman Maloney (D-NY) in introducing the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act.”

“While private companies across the country are beginning to see the benefits of providing paid family leave, the United States is still the only industrial nation in the world without a program that gives working parents the time off and income they need to care for a new child,” said Sen. Schatz. “Our bill will provide federal workers with six weeks of paid leave, making sure no federal employee has to make the impossible choice between caring for their family and keeping their job.”

Currently, federal employees are entitled to 12 weeks of Family and Medical Leave to care for a new child, but that leave is unpaid. The bills would provide both male and female federal workers six weeks of paid leave after the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The bill does not cover postal employees as they negotiate over such leave.