To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and title 5, United States Code, to clarify that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4582
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, H.R. 4582, aims to explicitly recognize recovery from organ donation surgery as a "serious health condition" under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). This ensures that employees, including those in the private sector and federal civil service, can use unpaid, job-protected leave for such procedures without ambiguity.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to FMLA for Private Sector Employees: Updates the definition of a "serious health condition" in Section 101(11) of the FMLA (29 U.S.C. 2611(11)) to include "recovery from surgery related to organ donation."
- Amendments for Federal Civil Service Employees:
- Revises the definition of a "serious health condition" in Section 6381(5) of title 5, U.S. Code, to include "recovery from surgery related to organ donation."
- Modifies Section 6382(d)(1) of title 5, U.S. Code, to require that federal employees using FMLA leave for organ donation (including recovery) must first use any available paid leave under Section 6327 (federal organ donor leave, which provides up to 30 days of paid leave for living donors).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Clarification of Coverage: The FMLA previously defined a serious health condition broadly as an illness, injury, impairment, or physical/mental condition involving inpatient care or continuing treatment. This bill adds explicit language for organ donation recovery, removing potential gray areas where employers might deny leave.
- Integration with Federal Paid Leave: For federal employees, it mandates substituting existing paid organ donor leave for FMLA's unpaid leave when possible, streamlining benefits without extending total leave time.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens/Employees: Encourages organ donation by protecting donors' jobs and providing clearer access to up to 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave (or paid leave for federal workers), potentially increasing living organ donations and reducing financial barriers for donors.
- On Government Agencies and Employers: Private employers must recognize organ donation recovery as FMLA-qualifying, which may require updated policies and training. Federal agencies will coordinate FMLA with existing organ donor leave, possibly simplifying administration but increasing short-term paid leave usage.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic employment law.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Organ Donors: Primarily employees (private and federal) who donate organs, gaining explicit leave protections.
- Employers: Private businesses and federal agencies, required to grant and administer leave for donation-related absences.
- Families and Recipients: Indirectly benefits organ recipients by potentially boosting donation rates; families of donors may also use related FMLA provisions.
- Healthcare Providers: Could see increased donations, supporting transplant programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens FMLA enforcement by reducing disputes over what qualifies as a serious health condition (a term meaning a health issue requiring ongoing medical care or hospitalization). No challenges to existing rights; aligns with FMLA's goal of family/medical leave equity.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it expands statutory protections without infringing on free speech, due process, or other rights.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Bacon and Nadler) signals broad support for promoting organ donation, a non-controversial public health initiative. Referred to multiple committees (Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration) for comprehensive review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (151)
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] and 101 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and title 5, United States Code, to clarify that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (2 pages)