Bill 119 HR 1035, also known as the Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, aims to make changes to the existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The bill seeks to expand the number of employees who are eligible for leave under the FMLA and increase the number of employers who are subject to the leave requirements.
Currently, the FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, such as the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a sick family member, or dealing with a personal medical issue. However, not all employees are eligible for this leave, as the FMLA only applies to employers with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
The Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act would lower the threshold for employers subject to the FMLA requirements to those with 15 or more employees, expanding the number of workers who would be eligible for leave. Additionally, the bill would also expand the reasons for which employees can take leave, including allowing leave for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Overall, the goal of Bill 119 HR 1035 is to provide more workers with access to job-protected leave for important family and medical reasons, while also ensuring that employers are held accountable for providing this benefit to their employees.