Military Family Leave Act of 2022

Military Family Leave Act of 2022

This bill entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Such leave may (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate.

Additionally, the bill (1) allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request, (2) provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave, and (3) prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.

Bill 117 HR 7841, also known as the Military Family Leave Act of 2022, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to provide additional leave benefits to military families in order to support service members and their loved ones during times of deployment or other military-related obligations.

If passed, the Military Family Leave Act of 2022 would allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for qualifying military exigencies. These exigencies could include things like attending military events, arranging for childcare or school activities, or dealing with financial or legal matters related to a service member's deployment.

In addition, the bill would also provide eligible employees with up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness. This provision is similar to the existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but specifically tailored to the needs of military families. Overall, the Military Family Leave Act of 2022 aims to provide much-needed support to military families who often face unique challenges and sacrifices due to their service member's obligations. By allowing for additional leave benefits, this bill seeks to ensure that these families have the time and flexibility they need to care for their loved ones and manage the demands of military life.