FMLA Expansion for Military Families Signed into Law

January 29, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - President Bush on Monday signed into law legislation that includes an expansion of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage for family members of military personnel.

Bush had vetoed a previous defense measure that include the FMLA expansion (See Bush Vetoes FMLA Expansion for Military Families ), but Congress again approved the expansion as part of a new Defense Authorization Measure passed last week (See FMLA Expansion for Military Family Headed to White House Again ).

The FMLA expansion allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave when a spouse, son, daughter, or parent is on active duty in the Armed Forces or is called up for active duty.

The measure also provides for employees to take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave – up from the current 12-week annual maximum – to take care of a child, parent, or spouse who incurred an injury during military service when that injury results in the service member being unable to perform his or her duties.

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