Never miss a story — sign up for PLANSPONSOR newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan benefits news.
Compliance July 21, 2011
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.
Reported by Rebecca Moore
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.
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.