Legislation that would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to allow both private and federal employees to take parental involvement or family wellness leave was reintroduced on April 8. Specifically, the Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act (H.R. 1440) would permit employees to take time off from work to participate in their children’s or grandchildren’s school or community organization activities (such as parent/teacher conferences, scouting or sports events), attend regular medical/dental appointments, or attend to the needs of an elderly relative, such as visiting them in a nursing home. Notably, the bill would expand who would be considered an employee “eligible” to take FMLA leave. Under this legislation, the FMLA would apply to employers with 25 or more employees within the prescribed radius, not 50 as is the current law.

An employee eligible for leave under this bill would be entitled to take up to 4 hours of leave in any 30-day period, not to exceed 24 hours during any 12-month period. This leave is in addition to other types of permissible leave. An employee may elect – or an employer may require – the substitution of any accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, or family leave for parental involvement and family wellness leave. In order to take this leave, an employee must provide the employer with at least 7 days’ notice or as much as is practicable. An employer may require certification related to such leave.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), the chief sponsor of the measure, also introduced this bill during the last Congressional session. That bill failed to advance. The reintroduced version is not expected to gain significant traction this year. 

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