Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9261
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2026-07-01T08:08:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation aims to establish a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program for federal employees and certain other covered workers, expanding existing unpaid leave entitlements under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to include paid benefits for a broader range of circumstances.

Key Provisions

Eligibility expansions: Amends eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 6381 to include at least 12 months of federal service or qualifying military service, covering employees of the U.S. government, Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, and nonappropriated fund instrumentalities.
New leave categories: Adds subsection (F) to 5 U.S.C. § 6382(a)(1), allowing leave for employees or family members who are victims of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or stalking. Qualifying activities include seeking medical or mental health care, victim services, legal assistance, safe housing, school changes, or other protective measures.
Paid leave structure: Makes most leave under 5 U.S.C. § 6382 paid, with up to 12 administrative workweeks (plus additional accrued annual or sick leave) for birth, placement, or other events, and up to 26 workweeks in combined totals. Requires a written work obligation agreement for paid parental or related leave, with repayment provisions if not fulfilled (except in cases of death or serious health conditions).
Special rules for pregnancy and loss: Permits leave for pregnancy loss, failed fertility treatments, unsuccessful adoptions or surrogacy, and related circumstances; allows leave for surrogacy births and post-birth recovery even if the child does not survive.
Certification and definitions: Requires agency-prescribed certifications or sworn statements for violence-related leave; defines terms such as "family member" (including domestic partners, siblings, and blood/affinity relatives), "qualifying act of violence," and "victim services organization."
Application to other entities: Extends similar paid leave programs to congressional employees (via Congressional Accountability Act), GAO/Library of Congress/USPS/Postal Regulatory Commission employees, Executive Office of the President staff, FAA/TSA employees, VA Title 38 employees, and District of Columbia courts and public defender service employees.
Effective date: Applies 6 months after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Converts unpaid FMLA leave to paid leave for federal and covered employees, removing prior limitations on paid status.
Broadens qualifying reasons beyond traditional FMLA categories (birth, adoption, serious health conditions, military exigency) to include violence-related needs.
Updates service requirements and work obligation rules, including offsets for partial compliance and exceptions for health-related failures.
Harmonizes rules across multiple federal personnel systems previously governed by separate statutes or agency policies.

Potential Impacts

Government agencies: Requires updates to leave administration, payroll, and certification processes for agencies such as OPM, VA, USPS, and congressional offices; may increase short-term staffing and budgetary needs.
Citizens: Provides direct benefits to federal employees and their families by enabling paid time off for expanded circumstances, potentially improving retention and work-life balance.
International relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal civilian employees under Title 5.
Congressional staff and covered employees under the Congressional Accountability Act.
Employees of GAO, Library of Congress, USPS, Postal Regulatory Commission, Executive Office of the President, FAA, TSA, VA, and District of Columbia courts/public defender service.
Family members of covered employees.
Employing agencies and the Office of Personnel Management.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Integrates new violence-related leave into existing FMLA frameworks while maintaining work obligation and repayment mechanisms; applies uniform definitions drawn from the Violence Against Women Act.
Constitutional: No explicit constitutional issues raised; relies on Congress's authority over federal employment.
Political: Introduced on a bipartisan basis; implementation may involve regulatory guidance from OPM and agency heads to align programs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

Recent Actions

2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
2026-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
2026-06-11: Introduced in House
2026-06-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (23 pages)