Parental Bereavement Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8207
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-06: 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
- 2026-04-29T08:07:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Parental Bereavement Act of 2026 (also called the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act) amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to allow eligible employees unpaid job-protected leave to grieve the death of a son or daughter of any age. It also updates similar leave rules for federal civil service employees.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility for Leave:
- Employees can take up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave within 12 months of the child's death.
- Applies to "son or daughter" regardless of age (expands beyond current FMLA limits for minors or disabled children).
- Usage Rules:
- Cannot be taken intermittently (in separate blocks) or on a reduced schedule unless employee and employer agree.
- Employees can substitute paid leave (e.g., sick or vacation time) if available.
- Notice required if death is foreseeable (e.g., terminal illness).
- Employers may require certification (proof of death, regulated by Dept. of Labor or Office of Personnel Management).
- Special Cases:
- For spouses at the same employer, combined leave limited to 12 weeks total for bereavement.
- Federal employees get parallel rights under civil service rules (5 U.S.C.).
- School employees (local educational agencies) have adjusted notice and scheduling rules.
- Job Protection: Employees must be restored to the same or equivalent job upon return, with continued health benefits.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands FMLA Definition: "Son or daughter" now includes adults for bereavement leave (previously limited to children under 18 or disabled/incapacitated).
- Adds New Leave Category: Inserts subparagraph (G) under FMLA Section 102(a)(1) for death-related leave.
- Tailored Expiration: Bereavement leave ends exactly 12 months after death, unlike some other FMLA leaves.
- Mirrors for Federal Workers: Aligns private-sector changes with federal rules (e.g., adds subparagraph (F) under 5 U.S.C. § 6382).
Potential Impacts
- On Employees/Citizens: Provides grief support for parents losing children at any age (e.g., adult children), reducing job loss risk during mourning.
- On Employers: Increases administrative duties (certification, tracking); affects businesses with 50+ employees (FMLA-covered) and federal agencies.
- On Government: Dept. of Labor and Office of Personnel Management must issue regulations; minimal international effects.
- Broader: May raise short-term costs for staffing coverage but promotes employee well-being and retention.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Employees/Parents: Primary beneficiaries, especially those with eligible service (1+ year, 1,250 hours worked).
- Employers: Private companies (50+ employees), federal agencies, local schools.
- Government Agencies: Dept. of Labor (regulations/enforcement), Office of Personnel Management (federal rules).
- Families: Spouses sharing leave limits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens FMLA protections without altering core unpaid, job-protected framework; relies on existing enforcement (e.g., lawsuits for violations).
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges (fits Congress's commerce clause authority over employment standards).
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats and Republicans); named after specific individuals, signaling personal advocacy; referred to multiple House committees for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-06: 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.
- 2026-04-06: 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.
- 2026-04-06: 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.
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Parental Bereavement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-06 — PDF (9 pages)