Key Vote 101st Congress > House > Vote 617
Clerk session vote number: 262
Description: FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1989
Bill summary: Family and Medical Leave Act of 1990 -
Title I: General Requirements for Leave
- Establishes certain requirements for family and medical leave for permanent employees. (Excludes from such coverage: (1) employees at worksites at which the employer employs less than 50 persons, if the total number of employees of that employer within 75 miles of that worksite is less than 50; and (2) Federal officers and employees covered under title II of this Act.)
Entitles employees to 12 workweeks of leave
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during any 12-month period because of: (1) the birth of their child; (2) the placement of a child for their adoption or foster care; (3) their care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition; or (4) their own serious health condition which makes them unable to perform the functions of their position.
Conditions such leave for the birth or placement of a child as follows: (1) the entitlement ends 12 months after the birth or placement; (2) both parents may not take such leave at the same time; and (3) such leave may not be taken intermittently unless employee and employer agree otherwise.
Allows all leave to which an employee is entitled under this title: (1) to be taken on a reduced leave schedule, upon agreement with the employer; and (2) to consist of unpaid leave, except under specified conditions when substitution of certain types of paid leave may be elected or required. Declares that nothing in this Act shall require an employer to provide paid sick or medical leave in any situation in which the employer would not normally provide any such paid leave.
Requires employees to: (1) give reasonable notice of the need for leave to which they are entitled under this Act, when foreseeable; and (2) make a reasonable effort to schedule medical treatment or supervision so as not to disrupt unduly the employer's operations, subject to approval of the health care provider.
Allows limitation of the dual aggregate leave entitlement to 12 weeks in any 12-month period, in the case of spouses employed by the same employer, if such leave is for the birth or placement of a child or for the care of a sick parent.
Sets forth conditions of certification for leave entitlements under this Act, including provisions relating to: (1) sufficient certification; (2) explanation of inability to perform job functions; (3) second opinion; (4) resolution of conflicting opinions; and (5) subsequent recertification.
Sets forth employment and benefits protections relating to leave entitlements under this Act, including provisions relating to: (1) restoration to position; (2) denial of such restoration in the case of certain highly compensated employees; (3) maintenance of health benefits; and (4) no bar to agreement concerning alternative employment.
Prohibits employers or other persons from interfering with employee rights under this Act or from discriminating against any individual because of participation in proceedings or inquiries under this Act.
Provides for administrative enforcement of this title by the Secretary of Labor, as well as enforcement by civil action. Sets forth provisions for investigative authority, injunctive and monetary relief, attorneys' fees, and limitation of actions.
Sets forth special rules concerning employees of local educational agencies, including provisions relating to intermittent leave for instructional employees, periods near the completion of an academic term, and reduction of liability.
Requires employers to post notice of the pertinent provisions of this title. Requires fines for willful violations of such requirement.
Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out this title.
Title II: Family Leave and Temporary Medical Leave for Civil Service Employees
- Amends specified Federal law to entitle civil service employees to family and temporary medical leave for specified periods.
Allows such employees up to: (1) 18 administrative workweeks in any 24-month period for family leave (i.e., leave because of the birth or placement of a child or care of a sick child or parent), but such leave may not be used at a time more than 12 months after such birth or placement; and (2) 26 administrative workweeks during any 12-month period for temporary medical leave.
Provides that such leave will be without pay. Allows employees to substitute other types of paid leave for part of such leave.
Provides for protection for job position and health insurance benefits of employees using such leave.
Sets forth certification provisions and prohibitions against coercion.
Directs the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations for administration of this title which are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor under title I of this Act.
Title III: Commission on Leave
- Establishes the Commission on Leave.
Requires the Commission to report on its study of family and medical leave (which may include legislative recommendations concerning coverage of small businesses and alternative and equivalent State enforcement of this Act with respect to employees of local educational agencies) to the Congress within two years after the Commission first meets. Terminates the Commission within 30 days after its final report.
Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions
- Sets forth the effect of this Act on existing laws and existing employment benefits.
Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to discourage employers from adopting more generous leave policies.
Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations to carry out this title within 60 days.
Title V: Coverage of Congressional Employees
- Applies the rights and protections under title I of this Act to employees of the House of Representatives, except for the exemption concerning highly compensated employees. Requires that the remedies and procedures under the Fair Employment Practices Resolution be applied in administering such coverage.
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Bill titles: To entitle employees to family leave in certain cases involving a birth, an adoption, or a serious health condition and to temporary medical leave in certain cases involving a serious health condition, with adequate protection of the employees' employment and benefit rights, and to establish a commission to study ways of providing salary replacement for employees who take any such leave.
Original source documents: Digest of the Congressional Record vol. 136, p. 5501;
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
