10th anniversary of FMLA prompts new federal legislation. (Government Watch).

On February 5, the 10th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), two bills were introduced that touch on the FLMA in completely different ways. One bill would allow paid leave and the other bill would allow time off in lieu of overtime pay.

Senate Bill 304, introduced by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT), would expand the FMLA to cover more workers and encompass more reasons for taking leave, including attending parent-teacher meetings. Currently, workers may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for newborns, adopted children, or seriously ill family members.

A grant program called for under Sen. Dodd's bill would allow states to provide six weeks of paid leave for births, adoptions, or care of a sick family member. The bill would also lower the threshold for FMLA coverage to companies with at least 25 employees, down from 50 employees under the current law. Two other changes would be reflected in the bill. Employees dealing with domestic violence would be allowed to take unpaid leave, and up to 24 hours per year could be used as unpaid leave to attend school activities such as parent-teacher meetings.

Senate Bill 317, introduced by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), would allow employees to opt to take time off in lieu of receiving overtime pay. Sen. Gregg said his bill would provide Americans with more options than they currently have under FMLA.

For a copy of these bills, please visit www.cmaa. org/legislat/reports/feb031.htm or contact Henry Wallmeyer at [e-mail], [phone].