Legis Daily

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

USA119th CongressS-5168| Senate 
| Updated: 7/29/2026
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (7)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" significantly expands paid family and medical leave benefits for federal employees by amending several existing statutes. It broadens the scope of covered leave reasons from specific parental leave to a more comprehensive range of family and medical circumstances, encompassing subparagraphs (A) through (E) of relevant sections. This expansion ensures that employees can take paid leave for a wider array of personal and family health needs. The bill specifically modifies Title 5 of the U.S. Code, increasing the entitlement to 12 administrative workweeks of leave, with potential for additional periods, and a combined total of 26 workweeks for certain situations. It also clarifies that leave for adoption can begin prior to placement for necessary activities. Furthermore, the legislation ensures that any paid leave taken under other provisions is accounted for to prevent duplication. Beyond general federal employees, the Act extends these enhanced paid leave provisions to specific groups. This includes congressional employees under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, employees of the Government Accountability Office , the Library of Congress , the United States Postal Service , and the Postal Regulatory Commission . Employees of the Executive Office of the President , FAA , and TSA also see their leave provisions updated to reflect the broader family and medical leave scope. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs modify the family and medical leave program for Title 38 employees to align with the new provisions within 30 days of enactment. It also requires the establishment of paid family and medical leave programs for nonjudicial employees of the District of Columbia Courts and the District of Columbia Public Defender Service , guided by the terms applicable to other federal government employees. This comprehensive approach aims to standardize and expand paid leave access across diverse federal sectors.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1158
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-274
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act
Jun 26, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9261
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Jul 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1158
    Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-274
    Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act


  • June 26, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9261
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.


  • July 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Government Operations and Politics

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

USA119th CongressS-5168| Senate 
| Updated: 7/29/2026
The "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" significantly expands paid family and medical leave benefits for federal employees by amending several existing statutes. It broadens the scope of covered leave reasons from specific parental leave to a more comprehensive range of family and medical circumstances, encompassing subparagraphs (A) through (E) of relevant sections. This expansion ensures that employees can take paid leave for a wider array of personal and family health needs. The bill specifically modifies Title 5 of the U.S. Code, increasing the entitlement to 12 administrative workweeks of leave, with potential for additional periods, and a combined total of 26 workweeks for certain situations. It also clarifies that leave for adoption can begin prior to placement for necessary activities. Furthermore, the legislation ensures that any paid leave taken under other provisions is accounted for to prevent duplication. Beyond general federal employees, the Act extends these enhanced paid leave provisions to specific groups. This includes congressional employees under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, employees of the Government Accountability Office , the Library of Congress , the United States Postal Service , and the Postal Regulatory Commission . Employees of the Executive Office of the President , FAA , and TSA also see their leave provisions updated to reflect the broader family and medical leave scope. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs modify the family and medical leave program for Title 38 employees to align with the new provisions within 30 days of enactment. It also requires the establishment of paid family and medical leave programs for nonjudicial employees of the District of Columbia Courts and the District of Columbia Public Defender Service , guided by the terms applicable to other federal government employees. This comprehensive approach aims to standardize and expand paid leave access across diverse federal sectors.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1158
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-274
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act
Jun 26, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9261
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Jul 29, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 29, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1158
    Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-274
    Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act


  • June 26, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9261
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.


  • July 29, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 29, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (7)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted