H.R. 656, S. 354:  Federal Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009

Introduced    January 22, 2009

Sponsor         Rep. Carolyn Maloney

Summary

The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 would provide federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.  Presently, federal employees are entitled to twelve weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and may use accrued vacation or sick time to continue being paid during the time they are out. Under the legislation, employees would not be required to use all accrued vacation or sick time before receiving the paid parental leave. The legislation would also allow the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to federal employees up to eight weeks.

Current Status:  The House passed the bill on June 4, 2009.  The Senate bill, which was introduced on January 29, 2009, has been referred to the Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.