Senator Introduces Parental Bereavement Act

July 21, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana) has introduced a bill that would allow parents grieving the death of a child to receive up to 12 weeks of job-protected time-off under the Family Medical Leave Act.

Tester’s Parental Bereavement Act of 2011 would ensure that the death of a child is treated like other life-altering events, allowing parents time to grieve, a press release said. Parents are currently eligible for extended, unpaid time-off to care for newborn babies, adopted children and family members with serious health conditions.  

Tester’s measure would not affect businesses with fewer than 50 employees.  

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According to the press release, Tester took notice of the issue after hearing from his constituents, including a mother who lost her son and explained the importance of time away from work to grieve without fear of losing her job.  

Text of the bill is here.

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