[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION: ``FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INCLUSION ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, in our tough economic environment, 
individuals should not have to choose between caring for a loved one 
and their job. The high work participation rates among mothers and the 
caregiving needs of an aging population put further demands on American 
families. The landmark Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) has 
allowed millions of employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave 
from work to care for a new baby or to care for a spouse, child under 
age 18, or parent who has a serious health condition. However, the law 
does not allow leave to care for a same-sex partner or spouse, a 
grandparent or an adult child. Anecdotal evidence suggests that same-
sex partners have endured negative reactions and denials to requests 
for leave when partners gave birth or had a serious medical condition. 
When a loved one is in need of care, employees should not be subjected 
to discrimination but should be allowed to take advantage of the 
benefits FMLA provides.
  Already, hundreds of companies, several states, and the District of 
Columbia have extended such protections to individuals not originally 
included in the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. In order to do 
this at the federal level, today I am reintroducing the Family and 
Medical Leave Inclusion Act. This legislation will allow an employee to 
take unpaid leave from work to care for his or her same-sex spouse or 
domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or 
grandparent if that person has a serious health condition. 
Additionally, in light of the recent repeal of the Military's Don't Ask 
Don't Tell policy, the legislation permits leave for domestic partners 
of service members.
  I thank Senator Durbin for reintroducing the Senate companion 
legislation and thank original House cosponsors Reps. Polis, Towns, 
George Miller, Stark, Frank, Holmes Norton, Susan Davis, Connolly, 
Israel, Frederica Wilson, Olver, Sherman, Capps, Serrano, Nadler, 
Engel, Moore, Barbara Lee, Chu, and Jackson Jr.
  Almost two decades after enactment, it is time FMLA caught up to the 
growing demands on and changing makeup of American families.

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