President Bush Signs FMLA Law Amendments for Armed Forces
On January 28 President Bush has signed amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that provide up to 26 weeks of job-protected leave for a family member to care for an armed forces member who is injured in the line of duty. Under the provisions, eligible family members of members of the armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, may take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave during a single 12-month period to care for their relative who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation or therapy, is on outpatient status or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness. "Family member" includes spouse, son, daughter, parent or next of kin. The amendments also permit a son, daughter or parent of a member of the armed forces on active duty or who has been called to active duty to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to deal with issues that arise because of that duty. For additional information please go to the U.S. Department of Labor analysis.