FAMILY Act

The FAMILY Act, short for the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, is proposed federal legislation that would establish a national insurance program providing paid family and medical leave. It would give eligible workers up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement to welcome a new child, recover from a serious illness, or care for a family member. The existing federal Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid leave and covers a limited set of employers, leaving many workers without paid options. The bill matters for LGBTQ+ families, who are more likely to rely on chosen family and have historically been excluded from workplace and private leave benefits. Versions have been reintroduced across multiple sessions of Congress.