Senate Bill Seeks Paid Family Leave for Federal Employees

Legislation recently introduced in the Senate would guarantee federal employees paid family and medical leave. Federal workers currently have access to paid parental leave under the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (H.R. 1534), signed into law in 2019. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) is the main sponsor of the new bill, known as the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act (S. 5168), according to Safety+Health Magazine.

Bill Details and Leave Provisions

Under the bill, the qualifying reasons for paid leave would match those covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act. These include care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition; a serious health condition preventing the employee from performing job functions; and any qualifying exigency from a spouse, child or parent on covered active duty in the Armed Forces. The bill provides 12 weeks of paid leave.

Support and Workforce Context

The bill has support from the American Federation of Government Employees, National Treasury Employees Union, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, National Federation of Federal Employees, NARFE, National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers Union, and American Association of University Women. Co-sponsors include Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

Cost and Retention Data

Studies have shown that providing paid leave for federal employees would save the government at least $50 million annually in turnover and replacement costs, according to Safety+Health Magazine. Just 6% of the federal workforce is under the age of 30, while roughly 40% of the workforce is eligible to retire within the next three years. Sen. Schatz stated in a press release that the bill addresses the choice federal workers face between family care and employment.

The legislation was reported on August 19, 2026.