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The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
Public Law 103-3 Enacted February 5,
1993
An Act
To grant family and temporary medical
leave under certain circumstances.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF
CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.--This Act may be cited
as the "Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993".
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.--The table of
contents is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
TITLE I--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAVE
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Leave requirement.
Sec. 103. Certification.
Sec. 104. Employment and benefits
protection.
Sec. 105. Prohibited acts.
Sec. 106. Investigative authority.
Sec. 107. Enforcement.
Sec. 108. Special rules concerning
employees of local educational agencies.
Sec. 109. Notice.
TITLE II--LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
Sec. 201. Leave requirement.
TITLE III--COMMISSION ON LEAVE
Sec. 301. Establishment.
Sec. 302. Duties.
Sec. 303. Membership.
Sec. 304. Compensation.
Sec. 305. Powers.
Sec. 306. Termination.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. Effect on other laws.
Sec. 402. Effect on existing employment
benefits.
Sec. 403. Encouragement of more generous
leave policies.
Sec. 404. Regulations.
Sec. 405. Effective dates.
TITLE V--COVERAGE OF CONGRESSIONAL
EMPLOYEES
Sec. 501. Leave for certain Senate
employees.
Sec. 502. Leave for certain House
employees.
TITLE VI--SENSE OF CONGRESS
Sec. 601. Sense of Congress.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
FINDINGS.--Congress finds that--
the number of single-parent households
and two-parent households in which the
single parent or both parents work is
increasing significantly;
it is important for the development of
children and the family unit that
fathers and mothers be able to
participate in early childrearing and
the care of family members who have
serious health conditions;
the lack of employment policies to
accommodate working parents can force
individuals to choose between job
security and parenting;
there is inadequate job security for
employees who have serious health
conditions that prevent them from
working for temporary periods;
due to the nature of the roles of men
and women in our society, the primary
responsibility for family caretaking
often falls on women, and such
responsibility affects the working lives
of women more than it affects the
working lives of men; and
employment standards that apply to one
gender only have serious potential for
encouraging employers to discriminate
against employees and applicants for
employment who are of that gender.
PURPOSES.--It is the purpose of this
Act--
to balance the demands of the workplace
with the needs of families, to promote
the stability and economic security of
families, and to promote national
interests in preserving family
integrity;
to entitle employees to take reasonable
leave for medical reasons, for the birth
or adoption of a child, and for the care
of a child, spouse, or parent who has a
serious health condition;
to accomplish the purposes described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) in a manner that
accommodates the legitimate interests of
employers;
to accomplish the purposes described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) in a manner that,
consistent with the Equal Protection
Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,
minimizes the potential for employment
discrimination on the basis of sex by
ensuring generally that leave is
available for eligible medical reasons
(including maternity-related disability)
and for compelling family reasons, on a
gender-neutral basis; and
to promote the goal of equal employment
opportunity for women and men, pursuant
to such clause.
TITLE I--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAVE
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
COMMERCE.--The terms "commerce" and
"industry or activity affecting
commerce" mean any activity, business,
or industry in commerce or in which a
labor dispute would hinder or obstruct
commerce or the free flow of commerce,
and include "commerce" and any "industry
affecting commerce", as defined in
paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 501 of
the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947
(29 U.S.C. 142 (1) and (3)).
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.--
IN GENERAL.--The term "eligible
employee" means an employee who has been
employed
(i) for at least 12 months by the
employer with respect to whom leave is
requested under section 102; and
(ii) for at least 1,250 hours of service
with such employer during the previous
12-month period.
EXCLUSIONS.--The term "eligible
employee" does not include
any Federal officer or employee covered
under subchapter V of chapter 63 of
title 5, United States Code (as added by
title II of this Act); or
any employee of an employer who is
employed at a worksite at which such
employer employs less than 50 employees
if the total number of employees
employed by that employer within 75
miles of that worksite is less than 50.
DETERMINATION.--For purposes of
determining whether an employee meets
the hours of service requirement
specified in subparagraph
(A)(ii), the legal standards established
under section 7 of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207)
shall apply.
EMPLOY; EMPLOYEE; STATE.--The terms
"employ", "employee", and "State" have
the same meanings given such terms in
subsections (c), (e), and (g) of section
3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(c), (e), and (g)).
EMPLOYER.--
IN GENERAL.--The term "employer"
means any person engaged in commerce or
in any industry or activity affecting
commerce who employs 50 or more
employees for each working day during
each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in
the current or preceding calendar year;
includes--
any person who acts, directly or
indirectly, in the interest of an
employer to any of the employees of such
employer; and
any successor in interest of an
employer; and
includes any "public agency", as defined
in section 3(x) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
203(x)).
PUBLIC AGENCY.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A)(iii), a public agency
shall be considered to be a person
engaged in commerce or in an industry or
activity affecting commerce.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.--The term
"employment benefits" means all benefits
provided or made available to employees
by an employer, including group life
insurance, health insurance, disability
insurance, sick leave, annual leave,
educational benefits, and pensions,
regardless of whether such benefits are
provided by a practice or written policy
of an employer or through an "employee
benefit plan", as defined in section
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C.
1002(3)).
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.--The term "health
care provider" means--
a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who
is authorized to practice medicine or
surgery (as appropriate) by the State in
which the doctor practices; or
any other person determined by the
Secretary to be capable of providing
health care services.
PARENT.--The term "parent" means the
biological parent of an employee or an
individual who stood in loco parentis to
an employee when the employee was a son
or daughter.
PERSON.--The term "person" has the same
meaning given such term in section 3(a)
of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
(29 U.S.C. 203(a)).
REDUCED LEAVE SCHEDULE.--The term
"reduced leave schedule" means a leave
schedule that reduces the usual number
of hours per workweek, or hours per
workday, of an employee.
SECRETARY.--The term "Secretary" means
the Secretary of Labor.
SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION. The term
"serious health condition" means an
illness, injury, impairment, or physical
or mental condition that involves
inpatient care in a hospital, hospice,
or residential medical care facility; or
continuing treatment by a health care
provider.
SON OR DAUGHTER.--The term "son or
daughter" means a biological, adopted,
or foster child, a stepchild, a legal
ward, or a child of a person standing in
loco parentis, who is--
under 18 years of age; or
18 years of age or older and incapable
of self-care because of a mental or
physical disability.
SPOUSE.--The term "spouse" means a
husband or wife, as the case may be.
SEC. 102. LEAVE REQUIREMENT.
IN GENERAL.--
ENTITLEMENT TO LEAVE.--Subject to
section 103, an eligible employee shall
be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks
of leave during any 12-month period for
one or more of the following:
Because of the birth of a son or
daughter of the employee and in order to
care for such son or daughter.
Because of the placement of a son or
daughter with the employee for adoption
or foster care.
In order to care for the spouse, or a
son, daughter, or parent, of the
employee, if such spouse, son, daughter,
or parent has a serious health
condition.
Because of a serious health condition
that makes the employee unable to
perform the functions of the position of
such employee.
EXPIRATION OF ENTITLEMENT.--The
entitlement to leave under subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for a birth
or placement of a son or daughter shall
expire at the end of the 12-month period
beginning on the date of such birth or
placement.
LEAVE TAKEN INTERMITTENTLY OR ON A
REDUCED LEAVE SCHEDULE.
IN GENERAL.--Leave under subparagraph
(A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) shall
not be taken by an employee
intermittently or on a reduced leave
schedule unless the employee and the
employer of the employee agree
otherwise. Subject to paragraph (2),
subsection (e)(2), and section
103(b)(5), leave under subparagraph (C)
or (D) of subsection (a)(1) may be taken
intermittently or on a reduced leave
schedule when medically necessary. The
taking of leave intermittently or on a
reduced leave schedule pursuant to this
paragraph shall not result in a
reduction in the total amount of leave
to which the employee is entitled under
subsection (a) beyond the amount of
leave actually taken.
ALTERNATIVE POSITION.-- If an employee
requests intermittent leave, or leave on
a reduced leave schedule, under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection
(a)(1), that is foreseeable based on
planned medical treatment, the employer
may require such employee to transfer
temporarily to an available alternative
position offered by the employer for
which the employee is qualified and
that--
has equivalent pay and benefits; and
better accommodates recurring periods of
leave than the regular employment
position of the employee.
UNPAID LEAVE PERMITTED. -- Except as
provided in subsection (d), leave
granted under subsection (a) may consist
of unpaid leave. Where an employee is
otherwise exempt under regulations
issued by the Secretary pursuant to
section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
213(a)(1)), the compliance of an
employer with this title by providing
unpaid leave shall not affect the exempt
status of the employee under such
section.
RELATIONSHIP TO PAID LEAVE.--
UNPAID LEAVE.--If an employer provides
paid leave for fewer than 12 workweeks,
the additional weeks of leave necessary
to attain the 12 workweeks of leave
required under this title may be
provided without compensation.
SUBSTITUTION OF PAID LEAVE.--
IN GENERAL.--An eligible employee may
elect, or an employer may require the
employee, to substitute any of the
accrued paid vacation leave, personal
leave, or family leave of the employee
for leave provided under subparagraph
(A), (B), or (C) of subsection (a)(1)
for any part of the 12-week period of
such leave under such subsection.
SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION.--An eligible
employee may elect, or an employer may
require the employee, to substitute any
of the accrued paid vacation leave,
personal leave, or medical or sick leave
of the employee for leave provided under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection
(a)(1) for any part of the 12-week
period of such leave under such
subsection, except that nothing in this
title shall require an employer to
provide paid sick leave or paid medical
leave in any situation in which such
employer would not normally provide any
such paid leave.
(e) FORESEEABLE LEAVE.--
REQUIREMENT OF NOTICE.--In any case in
which the necessity for leave under
subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection
(a)(1) is foreseeable based on an
expected birth or placement, the
employee shall provide the employer with
not less than 30 days' notice, before
the date the leave is to begin, of the
employee's intention to take leave under
such subparagraph, except that if the
date of the birth or placement requires
leave to begin in less than 30 days, the
employee shall provide such notice as is
practicable.
DUTIES OF EMPLOYEE.--In any case in
which the necessity for leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection
(a)(1) is foreseeable based on planned
medical treatment, the employee--
shall make a reasonable effort to
schedule the treatment so as not to
disrupt unduly the operations of the
employer, subject to the approval of the
health care provider of the employee or
the health care provider of the son,
daughter, spouse, or parent of the
employee, as appropriate; and
shall provide the employer with not less
than 30 days' notice, before the date
the leave is to begin, of the employee's
intention to take leave under such
subparagraph, except that if the date of
the treatment requires leave to begin in
less than 30 days, the employee shall
provide such notice as is practicable.
SPOUSES EMPLOYED BY THE SAME
EMPLOYER.--In any case in which a
husband and wife entitled to leave under
subsection (a) are employed by the same
employer, the aggregate number of
workweeks of leave to which both may be
entitled may be limited to 12 workweeks
during any 12-month period, if such
leave is taken--
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of
subsection (a)(1); or
to care for a sick parent under
subparagraph (C) of such subsection.
SEC. 103. CERTIFICATION.
IN GENERAL.--An employer may require
that a request for leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
102(a)(1) be supported by a
certification issued by the health care
provider of the eligible employee or of
the son, daughter, spouse, or parent of
the employee, as appropriate. The
employee shall provide, in a timely
manner, a copy of such certification to
the employer.
SUFFICIENT CERTIFICATION.--Certification
provided under subsection (a) shall be
sufficient if it states
the date on which the serious health
condition commenced;
the probable duration of the condition;
the appropriate medical facts within the
knowledge of the health care provider
regarding the condition;
(A) for purposes of leave under section
102(a)(1)(C), a statement that the
eligible employee is needed to care for
the son, daughter, spouse, or parent and
an estimate of the amount of time that
such employee is needed to care for the
son, daughter, spouse, or parent; and
(B) for purposes of leave under section
102(a)(1)(D), a statement that the
employee is unable to perform the
functions of the position of the
employee;
in the case of certification for
intermittent leave, or leave on a
reduced leave schedule, for planned
medical treatment, the dates on which
such treatment is expected to be given
and the duration of such treatment;
in the case of certification for
intermittent leave, or leave on a
reduced leave schedule, under section
102(a)(1)(D), a statement of the medical
necessity for the intermittent leave or
leave on a reduced leave schedule, and
the expected duration of the
intermittent leave or reduced leave
schedule; and
in the case of certification for
intermittent leave, or leave on a
reduced leave schedule, under section
102(a)(1)(C), a statement that the
employee's intermittent leave or leave
on a reduced leave schedule is necessary
for the care of the son, daughter,
parent, or spouse who has a serious
health condition, or will assist in
their recovery, and the expected
duration and schedule of the
intermittent leave or reduced leave
schedule.
SECOND OPINION.--
IN GENERAL.--In any case in which the
employer has reason to doubt the
validity of the certification provided
under subsection (a) for leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
102(a)(1), the employer may require, at
the expense of the employer, that the
eligible employee obtain the opinion of
a second health care provider designated
or approved by the employer concerning
any information certified under
subsection (b) for such leave.
LIMITATION.--A health care provider
designated or approved under paragraph
(1) shall not be employed on a regular
basis by the employer.
RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTING OPINIONS.--
IN GENERAL.--In any case in which the
second opinion described in subsection
(c) differs from the opinion in the
original certification provided under
subsection (a), the employer may
require, at the expense of the employer,
that the employee obtain the opinion of
a third health care provider designated
or approved jointly by the employer and
the employee concerning the information
certified under subsection (b).
FINALITY.--The opinion of the third
health care provider concerning the
information certified under subsection
(b) shall be considered to be final and
shall be binding on the employer and the
employee.
SUBSEQUENT RECERTIFICATION.--The
employer may require that the eligible
employee obtain subsequent
recertifications on a reasonable basis.
SEC. 104. EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS
PROTECTION.
RESTORATION TO POSITION.--
IN GENERAL.--Except as provided in
subsection (b), any eligible employee
who takes leave under section 102 for
the intended purpose of the leave shall
be entitled, on return from such leave--
to be restored by the employer to the
position of employment held by the
employee when the leave commenced; or
to be restored to an equivalent position
with equivalent employment benefits,
pay, and other terms and conditions of
employment.
LOSS OF BENEFITS.--The taking of leave
under section 102 shall not result in
the loss of any employment benefit
accrued prior to the date on which the
leave commenced.
LIMITATIONS.--Nothing in this section
shall be construed to entitle any
restored employee to--
the accrual of any seniority or
employment benefits during any period of
leave; or
any right, benefit, or position of
employment other than any right,
benefit, or position to which the
employee would have been entitled had
the employee not taken the leave.
CERTIFICATION.--As a condition of
restoration under paragraph (1) for an
employee who has taken leave under
section 102(a)(1)(D), the employer may
have a uniformly applied practice or
policy that requires each such employee
to receive certification from the health
care provider of the employee that the
employee is able to resume work, except
that nothing in this paragraph shall
supersede a valid State or local law or
a collective bargaining agreement that
governs the return to work of such
employees.
CONSTRUCTION.--Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to
prohibit an employer from requiring an
employee on leave under section 102 to
report periodically to the employer on
the status and intention of the employee
to return to work.
EXEMPTION CONCERNING CERTAIN HIGHLY
COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES.--
DENIAL OF RESTORATION.--An employer may
deny restoration under subsection (a) to
any eligible employee described in
paragraph (2) if--
such denial is necessary to prevent
substantial and grievous economic injury
to the operations of the employer;
the employer notifies the employee of
the intent of the employer to deny
restoration on such basis at the time
the employer determines that such injury
would occur; and
in any case in which the leave has
commenced, the employee elects not to
return to employment after receiving
such notice.
AFFECTED EMPLOYEES.--An eligible
employee described in paragraph (1) is a
salaried eligible employee who is among
the highest paid 10 percent of the
employees employed by the employer
within 75 miles of the facility at which
the employee is employed.
MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH BENEFITS.--
COVERAGE.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), during any period that an
eligible employee takes leave under
section 102, the employer shall maintain
coverage under any "group health plan"
(as defined in section 5000(b)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for the
duration of such leave at the level and
under the conditions coverage would have
been provided if the employee had
continued in employment continuously for
the duration of such leave.
FAILURE TO RETURN FROM LEAVE.--The
employer may recover the premium that
the employer paid for maintaining
coverage for the employee under such
group health plan during any period of
unpaid leave under section 102 if--
the employee fails to return from leave
under section 102 after the period of
leave to which the employee is entitled
has expired; and
the employee fails to return to work for
a reason other than--
(i) the continuation, recurrence, or
onset of a serious health condition that
entitles the employee to leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
102(a)(1); or
(ii) other circumstances beyond the
control of the employee.
CERTIFICATION.--
ISSUANCE.--An employer may require that
a claim that an employee is unable to
return to work because of the
continuation, recurrence, or onset of
the serious health condition described
in paragraph (2)(B)(i) be supported by--
(i) a certification issued by the health
care provider of the son, daughter,
spouse, or parent of the employee, as
appropriate, in the case of an employee
unable to return to work because of a
condition specified in section
102(a)(1)(C); or
(ii) a certification issued by the
health care provider of the eligible
employee, in the case of an employee
unable to return to work because of a
condition specified in section
102(a)(1)(D).
COPY.--The employee shall provide, in a
timely manner, a copy of such
certification to the employer.
SUFFICIENCY OF CERTIFICATION.--
(i) LEAVE DUE TO SERIOUS HEALTH
CONDITION OF EMPLOYEE.--The
certification described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) shall be sufficient if the
certification states that a serious
health condition prevented the employee
from being able to perform the functions
of the position of the employee on the
date that the leave of the employee
expired.
(ii) LEAVE DUE TO SERIOUS HEALTH
CONDITION OF FAMILY MEMBER.--The
certification described in subparagraph
(A)(i) shall be sufficient if the
certification states that the employee
is needed to care for the son, daughter,
spouse, or parent who has a serious
health condition on the date that the
leave of the employee expired.
SEC. 105. PROHIBITED ACTS.
INTERFERENCE WITH RIGHTS.--
EXERCISE OF RIGHTS.--It shall be
unlawful for any employer to interfere
with, restrain, or deny the exercise of
or the attempt to exercise, any right
provided under this title.
DISCRIMINATION.--It shall be unlawful
for any employer to discharge or in any
other manner discriminate against any
individual for opposing any practice
made unlawful by this title.
INTERFERENCE WITH PROCEEDINGS OR
INQUIRIES.--It shall be unlawful for any
person to discharge or in any other
manner discriminate against any
individual because such individual--
has filed any charge, or has instituted
or caused to be instituted any
proceeding, under or related to this
title;
has given, or is about to give, any
information in connection with any
inquiry or proceeding relating to any
right provided under this title; or
has testified, or is about to testify,
in any inquiry or proceeding relating to
any right provided under this title.
SEC. 106. INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY.
IN GENERAL.--To ensure compliance with
the provisions of this title, or any
regulation or order issued under this
title, the Secretary shall have, subject
to subsection (c), the investigative
authority provided under section 11(a)
of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
(29 U.S.C. 211(a)).
OBLIGATION TO KEEP AND PRESERVE
RECORDS.--Any employer shall make, keep,
and preserve records pertaining to
compliance with this title in accordance
with section 11(c) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 211(c))
and in accordance with regulations
issued by the Secretary.
REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS GENERALLY LIMITED
TO AN ANNUAL BASIS.--The Secretary shall
not under the authority of this section
require any employer or any plan, fund,
or program to submit to the Secretary
any books or records more than once
during any 12-month period, unless the
Secretary has reasonable cause to
believe there may exist a violation of
this title or any regulation or order
issued pursuant to this title, or is
investigating a charge pursuant to
section 107(b).
SUBPOENA POWERS.--For the purposes of
any investigation provided for in this
section, the Secretary shall have the
subpoena authority provided for under
section 9 of the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938
SEC. 107. ENFORCEMENT.
CIVIL ACTION BY EMPLOYEES.
LIABILITY.--Any employer who violates
section 105 shall be liable to any
eligible employee affected
for damages equal to
the amount of any wages, salary,
employment benefits, or other
compensation denied or lost to such
employee by reason of the violation; or
in a case in which wages, salary,
employment benefits, or other
compensation have not been denied or
lost to the employee, any actual
monetary losses sustained by the
employee as a direct result of the
violation, such as the cost of providing
care, up to a sum equal to 12 weeks of
wages or salary for the employee;
the interest on the amount described in
clause (i) calculated at the prevailing
rate; and
an additional amount as liquidated
damages equal to the sum of the amount
described in clause (i) and the interest
described in clause (ii), except that if
an employer who has violated section 105
proves to the satisfaction of the court
that the act or omission which violated
section 105 was in good faith and that
the employer had reasonable grounds for
believing that the act or omission was
not a violation of section 105, such
court may, in the discretion of the
court, reduce the amount of the
liability to the amount and interest
determined under clauses (i) and (ii),
respectively; and
for such equitable relief as may be
appropriate, including employment,
reinstatement, and promotion.
RIGHT OF ACTION.--An action to recover
the damages or equitable relief
prescribed in paragraph (1) may be
maintained against any employer
(including a public agency) in any
Federal or State court of competent
jurisdiction by any one or more
employees for and in behalf of--
the employees; or
the employees and other employees
similarly situated.
FEES AND COSTS.--The court in such an
action shall, in addition to any
judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow
a reasonable attorney's fee, reasonable
expert witness fees, and other costs of
the action to be paid by the defendant.
LIMITATIONS.--The right provided by
paragraph (2) to bring an action by or
on behalf of any employee shall
terminate--
on the filing of a complaint by the
Secretary in an action under subsection
(d) in which restraint is sought of any
further delay in the payment of the
amount described in paragraph (1)(A) to
such employee by an employer responsible
under paragraph (1) for the payment; or
on the filing of a complaint by the
Secretary in an action under subsection
(b) in which a recovery is sought of the
damages described in paragraph (1)(A)
owing to an eligible employee by an
employer liable under paragraph (1),
unless the action described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) is dismissed
without prejudice on motion of the
Secretary.
ACTION BY THE SECRETARY.--
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.--The Secretary
shall receive, investigate, and attempt
to resolve complaints of violations of
section 105 in the same manner that the
Secretary receives, investigates, and
attempts to resolve complaints of
violations of sections 6 and 7 of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
U.S.C. 206 and 207).
CIVIL ACTION.--The Secretary may bring
an action in any court of competent
jurisdiction to recover the damages
described in subsection (a)(1)(A).
SUMS RECOVERED.--Any sums recovered by
the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2)
shall be held in a special deposit
account and shall be paid, on order of
the Secretary, directly to each employee
affected. Any such sums not paid to an
employee because of inability to do so
within a period of 3 years shall be
deposited into the Treasury of the
United States as miscellaneous receipts.
LIMITATION.--
IN GENERAL.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), an action may be brought
under this section not later than 2
years after the date of the last event
constituting the alleged violation for
which the action is brought.
WILLFUL VIOLATION.--In the case of such
action brought for a willful violation
of section 105, such action may be
brought within 3 years of the date of
the last event constituting the alleged
violation for which such action is
brought.
COMMENCEMENT.--In determining when an
action is commenced by the Secretary
under this section for the purposes of
this subsection, it shall be considered
to be commenced on the date when the
complaint is filed.
ACTION FOR INJUNCTION BY SECRETARY.--The
district courts of the United States
shall have jurisdiction, for cause
shown, in an action brought by the
Secretary--
to restrain violations of section 105,
including the restraint of any
withholding of payment of wages, salary,
employment benefits, or other
compensation, plus interest, found by
the court to be due to eligible
employees; or
to award such other equitable relief as
may be appropriate, including
employment, reinstatement, and
promotion.
SOLICITOR OF LABOR.--The Solicitor of
Labor may appear for and represent the
Secretary on any litigation brought
under this section.
SEC. 108. SPECIAL RULES CONCERNING
EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.
APPLICATION.--
IN GENERAL.--Except as otherwise
provided in this section, the rights
(including the rights under section 104,
which shall extend throughout the period
of leave of any employee under this
section), remedies, and procedures under
this title shall apply to--
any "local educational agency" (as
defined in section 1471(12) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(12))) and an
eligible employee of the agency; and
any private elementary or secondary
school and an eligible employee of the
school.
DEFINITIONS.--For purposes of the
application described in paragraph (1):
(A) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.--The term
"eligible employee" means an eligible
employee of an agency or school
described in paragraph (1).
(B) EMPLOYER.--The term "employer" means
an agency or school described in
paragraph (1).
LEAVE DOES NOT VIOLATE CERTAIN OTHER
FEDERAL LAWS.-- A local educational
agency and a private elementary or
secondary school shall not be in
violation of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1400 et seq.), section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
794), or title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.),
solely as a result of an eligible
employee of such agency or school
exercising the rights of such employee
under this title.
INTERMITTENT LEAVE OR LEAVE ON A REDUCED
SCHEDULE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL EMPLOYEES.--
IN GENERAL.--Subject to paragraph (2),
in any case in which an eligible
employee employed principally in an
instructional capacity by any such
educational agency or school requests
leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of
section 102(a)(1) that is foreseeable
based on planned medical treatment and
the employee would be on leave for
greater than 20 percent of the total
number of working days in the period
during which the leave would extend, the
agency or school may require that such
employee elect either--
to take leave for periods of a
particular duration, not to exceed the
duration of the planned medical
treatment; or
to transfer temporarily to an available
alternative position offered by the
employer for which the employee is
qualified, and that--
has equivalent pay and benefits; and
better accommodates recurring periods of
leave than the regular employment
position of the employee.
APPLICATION.--The elections described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
(1) shall apply only with respect to an
eligible employee who complies with
section 102(e)(2).
RULES APPLICABLE TO PERIODS NEAR THE
CONCLUSION OF AN ACADEMIC TERM.--The
following rules shall apply with respect
to periods of leave near the conclusion
of an academic term in the case of any
eligible employee employed principally
in an instructional capacity by any such
educational agency or school:
LEAVE MORE THAN 5 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF
TERM.--If the eligible employee begins
leave under section 102 more than 5
weeks prior to the end of the academic
term, the agency or school may require
the employee to continue taking leave
until the end of such term, if--
the leave is of at least 3 weeks
duration; and
the return to employment would occur
during the 3-week period before the end
of such term.
LEAVE LESS THAN 5 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF
TERM.--If the eligible employee begins
leave under subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C) of section 102(a)(1) during the
period that commences 5 weeks prior to
the end of the academic term, the agency
or school may require the employee to
continue taking leave until the end of
such term, if--
the leave is of greater than 2 weeks
duration; and
the return to employment would occur
during the 2-week period before the end
of such term.
LEAVE LESS THAN 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF
TERM.--If the eligible employee begins
leave under subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C) of section 102(a)(1) during the
period that commences 3 weeks prior to
the end of the academic term and the
duration of the leave is greater than 5
working days, the agency or school may
require the employee to continue to take
leave until the end of such term.
RESTORATION TO EQUIVALENT EMPLOYMENT
POSITION.--For purposes of
determinations under section
104(a)(1)(B) (relating to the
restoration of an eligible employee to
an equivalent position), in the case of
a local educational agency or a private
elementary or secondary school, such
determination shall be made on the basis
of established school board policies and
practices, private school policies and
practices, and collective bargaining
agreements.
REDUCTION OF THE AMOUNT OF
LIABILITY.--If a local educational
agency or a private elementary or
secondary school that has violated this
title proves to the satisfaction of the
court that the agency, school, or
department had reasonable grounds for
believing that the underlying act or
omission was not a violation of this
title, such court may, in the discretion
of the court, reduce the amount of the
liability provided for under section
107(a)(1)(A) to the amount and interest
determined under clauses (i) and (ii),
respectively, of such section.
SEC. 109. NOTICE.
IN GENERAL.--Each employer shall post
and keep posted, in conspicuous places
on the premises of the employer where
notices to employees and applicants for
employment are customarily posted, a
notice, to be prepared or approved by
the Secretary, setting forth excerpts
from, or summaries of, the pertinent
provisions of this title and information
pertaining to the filing of a charge.
PENALTY.--Any employer that willfully
violates this section may be assessed a
civil money penalty not to exceed $100
for each separate offense.
TITLE II--LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
SEC. 201. LEAVE REQUIREMENT.
(a) CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES.--
IN GENERAL.--Chapter 63 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subchapter:
SUBCHAPTER V--FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
"6381. Definitions
For the purpose of this subchapter--
"the term 'employee' means any
individual who--
" is an 'employee', as defined by
section 6301(2), including any
individual employed in a position
referred to in clause (v) or (ix) of
section 6301(2), but excluding any
individual employed by the government of
the District of Columbia and any
individual employed on a temporary or
intermittent basis; and
" has completed at least 12 months of
service as an employee (within the
meaning of subparagraph (A));
" the term 'health care provider'
means--
" a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who
is authorized to practice medicine or
surgery (as appropriate) by the State in
which the doctor practices; and
" any other person determined by the
Director of the Office of Personnel
Management to be capable of providing
health care services;
" the term 'parent' means the biological
parent of an employee or an individual
who stood in loco parentis to an
employee when the employee was a son or
daughter;
" the term 'reduced leave schedule'
means a leave schedule that reduces the
usual number of hours per workweek, or
hours per workday, of an employee;
" the term 'serious health condition'
means an illness, injury, impairment, or
physical or mental condition that
involves--
" inpatient care in a hospital, hospice,
or residential medical care facility; or
" continuing treatment by a health care
provider; and
" the term 'son or daughter' means a
biological, adopted, or foster child, a
stepchild, a legal ward, or a child of a
person standing in loco parentis, who
is--
" under 18 years of age; or
" 18 years of age or older and incapable
of self-care because of a mental or
physical disability.
"6382. Leave requirement
(a)(1) Subject to section 6383, an
employee shall be entitled to a total of
12 administrative workweeks of leave
during any 12-month period for one or
more of the following:
" Because of the birth of a son or
daughter of the employee and in order to
care for such son or daughter.
" Because of the placement of a son or
daughter with the employee for adoption
or foster care.
" In order to care for the spouse, or a
son, daughter, or parent, of the
employee, if such spouse, son, daughter,
or parent has a serious health
condition.
" Because of a serious health condition
that makes the employee unable to
perform the functions of the employee's
position.
"(2) The entitlement to leave under
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)
based on the birth or placement of a son
or daughter shall expire at the end of
the 12-month period beginning on the
date of such birth or placement.
"(b)(1) Leave under subparagraph (A) or
(B) of subsection (a)(1) shall not be
taken by an employee intermittently or
on a reduced leave schedule unless the
employee and the employing agency of the
employee agree otherwise. Subject to
paragraph (2), subsection (e)(2), and
section 6383(b)(5), leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection
(a)(1) may be taken intermittently or on
a reduced leave schedule when medically
necessary. In the case of an employee
who takes leave intermittently or on a
reduced leave schedule pursuant to this
paragraph, any hours of leave so taken
by such employee shall be subtracted
from the total amount of leave remaining
available to such employee under
subsection (a), for purposes of the
12-month period involved, on an
hour-for-hour basis.
"(2) If an employee requests
intermittent leave, or leave on a
reduced leave schedule, under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection
(a)(1); that is foreseeable based on
planned medical treatment, the employing
agency may require such employee to
transfer temporarily to an available
alternative position offered by the
employing agency for which the employee
is qualified and that--
"has equivalent pay and benefits; and
" better accommodates recurring periods
of leave than the regular employment
position of the employee.
" Except as provided in subsection (d),
leave granted under subsection (a) shall
be leave without pay.
" An employee may elect to substitute
for leave under subparagraph (A), (B),
(C), or (D) of subsection (a)(1) any of
the employee's accrued or accumulated
annual or sick leave under subchapter I
for any part of the 12-week period of
leave under such subsection, except that
nothing in this subchapter shall require
an employing agency to provide paid sick
leave in any situation in which such
employing agency would not normally
provide any such paid leave.
"(1) In any case in which the necessity
for leave under subparagraph (A) or (B)
of subsection (a)(1) is foreseeable
based on an expected birth or placement,
the employee shall provide the employing
agency with not less than 30 days'
notice, before the date the leave is to
begin, of the employee's intention to
take leave under such subparagraph,
except that if the date of the birth or
placement requires leave to begin in
less than 30 days, the employee shall
provide such notice as is practicable.
"(2) In any case in which the necessity
for leave under subparagraph (C) or (D)
of subsection (a)(1) is foreseeable
based on planned medical treatment, the
employee--
" shall make a reasonable effort to
schedule the treatment so as not to
disrupt unduly the operations of the
employing agency, subject to the
approval of the health care provider of
the employee or the health care provider
of the son, daughter, spouse, or parent
of the employee, as appropriate; and
" shall provide the employing agency
with not less than 30 days' notice,
before the date the leave is to begin,
of the employee's intention to take
leave under such subparagraph, except
that if the date of the treatment
requires leave to begin in less than 30
days, the employee shall provide such
notice as is practicable.
"6383. Certification
"(a) An employing agency may require
that a request for leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
6382(a)(1) be supported by certification
issued by the health care provider of
the employee or of the son, daughter,
spouse, or parent of the employee, as
appropriate. The employee shall provide,
in a timely manner, a copy of such
certification to the employing agency.
"(b) A certification provided under
subsection (a) shall be sufficient if it
states--
" the date on which the serious health
condition commenced;
" the probable duration of the
condition;
" the appropriate medical facts within
the knowledge of the health care
provider regarding the condition;
"(A) for purposes of leave under section
6382(a)(1)(C), a statement that the
employee is needed to care for the son,
daughter, spouse, or parent, and an
estimate of the amount of time that such
employee is needed to care for such son,
daughter, spouse, or parent; and "(B)
for purposes of leave under section
6382(a)(1)(D), a statement that the
employee is unable to perform the
functions of the position of the
employee; and
" in the case of certification for
intermittent leave, or leave on a
reduced leave schedule, for planned
medical treatment, the dates on which
such treatment is expected to be given
and the duration of such treatment.
"(c)(1) In any case in which the
employing agency has reason to doubt the
validity of the certification provided
under subsection (a) for leave under
subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
6382(a)(1), the employing agency may
require, at the expense of the agency,
that the employee obtain the opinion of
a second health care provider designated
or approved by the employing agency
concerning any information certified
under subsection (b) for such leave.
"(2) Any health care provider designated
or approved under paragraph (1) shall
not be employed on a regular basis by
the employing agency.
"(d)(1) In any case in which the second
opinion described in subsection (c)
differs from the original certification
provided under subsection (a), the
employing agency may require, at the
expense of the agency, that the employee
obtain the opinion of a third health
care provider designated or approved
jointly by the employing agency and the
employee concerning the information
certified under subsection (b).
"(2) The opinion of the third health
care provider concerning the information
certified under subsection (b) shall be
considered to be final and shall be
binding on the employing agency and the
employee.
"(e) The employing agency may require,
at the expense of the agency, that the
employee obtain subsequent
recertifications on a reasonable basis.
"6384. Employment and benefits
protection
" Any employee who takes leave under
section 6382 for the intended purpose of
the leave shall be entitled, upon return
from such leave--
" to be restored by the employing agency
to the position held by the employee
when the leave commenced; or
" to be restored to an equivalent
position with equivalent benefits, pay,
status, and other terms and conditions
of employment.
" The taking of leave under section 6382
shall not result in the loss of any
employment benefit accrued prior to the
date on which the leave commenced.
" Except as otherwise provided by or
under law, nothing in this section shall
be construed to entitle any restored
employee to--
" the accrual of any employment benefits
during any period of leave; or
" any right, benefit, or position of
employment other than any right,
benefit, or position to which the
employee would have been entitled had
the employee not taken the leave.
" As a condition to restoration under
subsection (a) for an employee who takes
leave under section 6382(a)(1)(D), the
employing agency may have a uniformly
applied practice or policy that requires
each such employee to receive
certification from the health care
provider of the employee that the
employee is able to resume work.
" Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit an employing
agency from requiring an employee on
leave under section 6382 to report
periodically to the employing agency on
the status and intention of the employee
to return to work.
"6385. Prohibition of coercion
"(a) An employee shall not directly or
indirectly intimidate, threaten, or
coerce, or attempt to intimidate,
threaten, or coerce, any other employee
for the purpose of interfering with the
exercise of any rights which such other
employee may have under this subchapter.
"(b) For the purpose of this section--
" the term "intimidate, threaten, or
coerce' includes promising to confer or
conferring any benefit (such as
appointment, promotion, or
compensation), or taking or threatening
to take any reprisal (such as
deprivation of appointment, promotion,
or compensation); and
" the term 'employee' means any
'employee', as defined by section 2105.
"6386. Health insurance
"An employee enrolled in a health
benefits plan under chapter 89 who is
placed in a leave status under section
6382 may elect to continue the health
benefits enrollment of the employee
while in such leave status and arrange
to pay currently into the Employees
Health Benefits Fund (described in
section 8909), the appropriate employee
contributions.
"6387. Regulations
"The Office of Personnel Management
shall prescribe regulations necessary
for the administration of this
subchapter. The regulations prescribed
under this subchapter shall, to the
extent appropriate, be consistent with
the regulations prescribed by the
Secretary of Labor to carry out title I
of the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993.".
TABLE OF CONTENTS.--The table of
contents for chapter 63 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
"SUBCHAPTER V--FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
"6381. Definitions.
"6382. Leave requirement.
"6383. Certification.
"6384. Employment and benefits
protection.
"6385. Prohibition of coercion.
"6386. Health insurance.
"6387. Regulations.".
EMPLOYEES PAID FROM NONAPPROPRIATED
FUNDS.--Section 2105(c)(1) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
by striking "or" at the end of
subparagraph (C); and
by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
"(E) subchapter V of chapter 63, which
shall be applied so as to construe
references to benefit programs to refer
to applicable programs for employees
paid from nonappropriated funds; or".
TITLE III--COMMISSION ON LEAVE
SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be
known as the Commission on Leave
(referred to in this title as the
"Commission").
SEC. 302. DUTIES.
The Commission shall--
conduct a comprehensive study of--
existing and proposed mandatory and
voluntary policies relating to family
and temporary medical leave, including
policies provided by employers not
covered under this Act;
the potential costs, benefits, and
impact on productivity, job creation and
business growth of such policies on
employers and employees;
possible differences in costs, benefits,
and impact on productivity, job creation
and business growth of such policies on
employers based on business type and
size;
the impact of family and medical leave
policies on the availability of employee
benefits provided by employers,
including employers not covered under
this Act;
alternate and equivalent State
enforcement of title I with respect to
employees described in section 108(a);
methods used by employers to reduce
administrative costs of implementing
family and medical leave policies;
the ability of the employers to recover,
under section 104(c)(2), the premiums
described in such section; and
the impact on employers and employees of
policies that provide temporary wage
replacement during periods of family and
medical leave.
not later than 2 years after the date on
which the Commission first meets,
prepare and submit, to the appropriate
Committees of Congress, a report
concerning the subjects listed in
paragraph (1).
SEC. 303. MEMBERSHIP.
COMPOSITION.--
APPOINTMENTS.--The Commission shall be
composed of 12 voting members and 4 ex
officio members to be appointed not
later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act as follows:
SENATORS.--One Senator shall be
appointed by the Majority Leader of the
Senate, and one Senator shall be
appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.--One Member of the
House of Representatives shall be
appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and one Member of the
House of Representatives shall be
appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives.
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.--
APPOINTMENT.--Two members each shall be
appointed by
the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
the Majority Leader of the Senate;
the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and
the Minority Leader of the Senate.
EXPERTISE.--Such members shall be
appointed by virtue of demonstrated
expertise in relevant family, temporary
disability, and labor management issues.
Such members shall include
representatives of employers, including
employers from large businesses and from
small businesses.
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.--The Secretary of
Health and Human Services, the Secretary
of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and
the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration shall serve on the
Commission as nonvoting ex officio
members.
VACANCIES.--Any vacancy on the
Commission shall be filled in the manner
in which the original appointment was
made. The vacancy shall not affect the
power of the remaining members to
execute the duties of the Commission.
CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.--The
Commission shall elect a chairperson and
a vice chairperson from among the
members of the Commission.
QUORUM.--Eight members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum for all
purposes, except that a lesser number
may constitute a quorum for the purpose
of holding hearings.
SEC. 304. COMPENSATION.
PAY.--Members of the Commission shall
serve without compensation.
TRAVEL EXPENSES.--Members of the
Commission shall be allowed reasonable
travel expenses, including a per diem
allowance, in accordance with section
5703 of title 5, United States Code,
when performing duties of the
Commission.
SEC. 305. POWERS.
MEETINGS.--The Commission shall first
meet not later than 30 days after the
date on which all members are appointed,
and the Commission shall meet thereafter
on the call of the chairperson or a
majority of the members.
HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.--The Commission
may hold such hearings, sit and act at
such times and places, take such
testimony, and receive such evidence as
the Commission considers appropriate.
The Commission may administer oaths or
affirmations to witnesses appearing
before it.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION.--The Commission
may secure directly from any Federal
agency information necessary to enable
it to carry out this title, if the
information may be disclosed under
section 552 of title 5, United States
Code. Subject to the previous sentence,
on the request of the chairperson or
vice chairperson of the Commission, the
head of such agency shall furnish such
information to the Commission.
USE OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES.--Upon
the request of the Commission, the head
of any Federal agency may make available
to the Commission any of the facilities
and services of such agency.
PERSONNEL FROM OTHER AGENCIES.--On the
request of the Commission, the head of
any Federal agency may detail any of the
personnel of such agency to serve as an
Executive Director of the Commission or
assist the Commission in carrying out
the duties of the Commission. Any detail
shall not interrupt or otherwise affect
the civil service status or privileges
of the Federal employee.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE.--Notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States
Code, the chairperson of the Commission
may accept for the Commission voluntary
services provided by a member of the
Commission.
SEC. 306. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days
after the date of the submission of the
report of the Commission to Congress.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.
FEDERAL AND STATE ANTIDISCRIMINATION
LAWS.--Nothing in this Act or any
amendment made by this Act shall be
construed to modify or affect any
Federal or State law prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of race,
religion, color, national origin, sex,
age, or disability.
STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.--Nothing in this
Act or any amendment made by this Act
shall be construed to supersede any
provision of any State or local law that
provides greater family or medical leave
rights than the rights established under
this Act or any amendment made by this
Act.
SEC. 402. EFFECT ON EXISTING EMPLOYMENT
BENEFITS.
MORE PROTECTIVE.--Nothing in this Act or
any amendment made by this Act shall be
construed to diminish the obligation of
an employer to comply with any
collective bargaining agreement or any
employment benefit program or plan that
provides greater family or medical leave
rights to employees than the rights
established under this Act or any
amendment made by this Act.
LESS PROTECTIVE.--The rights established
for employees under this Act or any
amendment made by this Act shall not be
diminished by any collective bargaining
agreement or any employment benefit
program or plan.
SEC. 403. ENCOURAGEMENT OF MORE GENEROUS
LEAVE POLICIES.
Nothing in this Act or any amendment
made by this Act shall be construed to
discourage employers from adopting or
retaining leave policies more generous
than any policies that comply with the
requirements under this Act or any
amendment made by this Act.
SEC. 404. REGULATIONS.
The Secretary of Labor shall prescribe
such regulations as are necessary to
carry out title I and this title not
later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 405. EFFECTIVE DATES.
TITLE III.--Title III shall take effect
on the date of the enactment of this
Act.
OTHER TITLES.--
IN GENERAL.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), titles I, II, and V and
this title shall take effect 6 months
after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.--In
the case of a collective bargaining
agreement in effect on the effective
date prescribed by paragraph (1), title
I shall apply on the earlier of
the date of the termination of such
agreement; or
the date that occurs 12 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE V--COVERAGE OF CONGRESSIONAL
EMPLOYEES
SEC. 501. LEAVE FOR CERTAIN SENATE
EMPLOYEES.
COVERAGE.--The rights and protections
established under sections 101 through
105 shall apply with respect to a Senate
employee and an employing office. For
purposes of such application, the term
"eligible employee" means a Senate
employee and the term "employer" means
an employing office.
CONSIDERATION OF ALLEGATIONS.
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS.--The provisions
of sections 304 through 313 of the
Government Employee Rights Act of 1991
(2 U.S.C. 1204-1213) shall, except as
provided in subsections (d) and (e)--
apply with respect to an allegation of a
violation of a provision of sections 101
through 105, with respect to Senate
employment of a Senate employee; and
apply to such an allegation in the same
manner and to the same extent as such
sections of the Government Employee
Rights Act of 1991 apply with respect to
an allegation of a violation under such
Act.
ENTITY.--Such an allegation shall be
addressed by the Office of Senate Fair
Employment Practices or such other
entity as the Senate may designate.
RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES.--The Office of
Senate Fair Employment Practices shall
ensure that Senate employees are
informed of their rights under sections
101 through 105.
LIMITATIONS.--A request for counseling
under section 305 of such Act by a
Senate employee alleging a violation of
a provision of sections 101 through 105
shall be made not later than 2 years
after the date of the last event
constituting the alleged violation for
which the counseling is requested, or
not later than 3 years after such date
in the case of a willful violation of
section 105.
APPLICABLE REMEDIES.--The remedies
applicable to individuals who
demonstrate a violation of a provision
of sections 101 through 105 shall be
such remedies as would be appropriate if
awarded under paragraph (1) or (3) of
section 107(a).
EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWER.--The
provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d),
and (e), except as such subsections
apply with respect to section 309 of the
Government Employee Rights Act of 1991
(2 U.S.C. 1209), are enacted by the
Senate as an exercise of the rulemaking
power of the Senate, with full
recognition of the right of the Senate
to change its rules, in the same manner,
and to the same extent, as in the case
of any other rule of the Senate. No
Senate employee may commence a judicial
proceeding with respect to an allegation
described in subsection (b)(1), except
as provided in this section.
SEVERABILITY.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, if any provision of
section 309 of the Government Employee
Rights Act of 1991 (2 U.S.C. 1209), or
of subsection (b)(1) insofar as it
applies such section 309 to an
allegation described in subsection
(b)(1)(A), is invalidated, both such
section 309, and subsection (b)(1)
insofar as it applies such section 309
to such an allegation, shall have no
force and effect, and shall be
considered to be invalidated for
purposes of section 322 of such Act (2
U.S.C. 1221).
DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:
EMPLOYING OFFICE.--The term "employing
office" means the office with the final
authority described in section 301(2) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 1201(2)).
SENATE EMPLOYEE.--The term "Senate
employee" means an employee described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) of section
301(c)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
1201(c)(1)) who has been employed for at
least 12 months on other than a
temporary or intermittent basis by any
employing office.
SEC. 502. LEAVE FOR CERTAIN HOUSE
EMPLOYEES.
IN GENERAL.--The rights and protections
under sections 102 through 105 (other
than section 104(b)) shall apply to any
employee in an employment position and
any employing authority of the House of
Representatives.
ADMINISTRATION.--In the administration
of this section, the remedies and
procedures under the Fair Employment
Practices Resolution shall be applied.
DEFINITION.--As used in this section,
the term "Fair Employment Practices
Resolution" means rule LI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
TITLE VI--SENSE OF CONGRESS
SEC. 601. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of the Congress that:
The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a
comprehensive review of current
departmental policy with respect to the
service of homosexuals in the Armed
Forces;
Such review shall include the basis for
the current policy of mandatory
separation; the rights of all service
men and women, and the effects of any
change in such policy on morale,
discipline, and military effectiveness;
The Secretary shall report the results
of such review and consultations and his
recommendations to the President and to
the Congress no later than July 15,
1993;
The Senate Committee on Armed Services
shall conduct (i) comprehensive hearings
on the current military policy with
respect to the service of homosexuals in
the military services; and (ii) shall
conduct oversight hearings on the
Secretary's recommendations as such are
reported.
Approved February 5, 1993.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1(S. 5):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 103-8, Pt. 1 (Comm.
on Education and Labor) and Pt. 2 (Comm.
on Post Office and Civil Service).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 103-3 accompanying
S. 5 (Comm. on Labor and Human
Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993):
Feb. 2, S. 5 considered in Senate.
Feb. 3, considered in Senate; H.R. 1
considered and passed House.
Feb. 4, H.R. 1 considered and passed
Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 5. House
concurred in Senate amendment.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL
DOCUMENTS, Vol. 29 (1993):
Feb. 5, Presidential remarks and
statement.
Source:
www.dol.gov/esa
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