MIL FMLA Act

This bill expands family and medical leave for military families. It lets more relatives and close loved ones take time off to care for a servicemember, including spouses or partners, parents (and in-laws), grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sons- or daughters-in-law, next of kin, and anyone with a close, family-like bond. Eligible workers can take up to 26 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember. It also adds up to 26 workweeks for a covered servicemember who is an employee and cannot work because of a serious injury or illness. Leave can be taken all at once or in parts, and workers should give reasonable notice when leave is foreseeable. Health benefits continue during leave, with simple doctor’s notes allowed to confirm the need for care or the inability to work. These updates apply to private-sector workers covered by family and medical leave and to federal civilian employees under similar rules.

• Who is covered: Private-sector workers covered by family and medical leave and federal civilian employees.
• Who can take leave to care for a servicemember: Spouse/partner, parents (including in-laws), grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, sons-/daughters-in-law, next of kin, or a close loved one with a family-like bond.
• How much leave: Up to 26 workweeks in a 12-month period (combined with other family/medical leave limits).
• Reasons: Caring for a covered servicemember, or for an employee who is a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.
• Other rules: Leave can be intermittent; reasonable notice when foreseeable; health coverage continues; straightforward medical certifications are accepted.