Currently, in order to gain access to 12 weeks of paid parental leave—a benefit itself adopted via the 2020 NDAA—or paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal employee must have 12 months of service. But the law establishing those requirements lists only federal agencies, the U.S. Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission or an entity operating via a nonappropriated fund.
The amendment, sponsored by Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., would add “honorable active service” in one of the military service branches to the list. That means service members who transition directly from the military to civilian federal employment would be able to access paid parental leave or FMLA leave immediately, provided they have completed at least a year of military service.