New England Biz Law Update
A recent bill aims to modernize the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by repealing its current limitations on leave for married couples working for the same employer.
Introduced in the House, the “FAIR Leave Act” seeks to ensure that each spouse is individually entitled to the full leave benefits provided under FMLA.
Currently, FMLA provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. However, if both spouses are employed by the same organization, they must share a single 12-week leave period for certain caregiving needs, such as the birth or adoption of a child or caring for a sick parent.
Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, emphasized the need for reform: “Just because a family works for the same employer doesn’t mean they should get less time off than other families.”
The bill has attracted bipartisan backing, with co-sponsorship from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI).
The sponsors call it a “commonsense fix” that will provide greater flexibility for working families, allowing them to adequately care for their loved ones without the pressure of restricted leave due to marital and employment status.
