A bipartisan effort to better support military families will help ensure military spouses are eligible for key protections that have positively impacted the lives of millions of workers without imposing an undue burden on employers.

The Ensuring Access to FMLA Leave for Military Spouses Act, introduced July 10 by Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), would reduce the qualifying time for which a military spouse must be employed prior to taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) from 12 months to 90 days.

The FMLA, signed into law in 1993, guarantees eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons.

To be eligible for FMLA leave, employees must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months. For military spouses subject to frequent, military-mandated moves, achieving eligibility is a challenge.

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“The bill will make a real difference for military families during stressful times,” MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), said in the press release announcing the legislation. “It gives spouses the time they need to address serious situations … while allowing servicemembers to stay mission focused.”  

MOAA previously supported a successful amendment to the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allowing military service to count toward FMLA eligibility for federal civilian employees. This change ensures veterans who transition to federal jobs can count their honorable active service toward FMLA eligibility requirements.

This straightforward legislation represents a meaningful step forward in removing employment barriers for military spouses and ensuring they are supported throughout the challenges associated with military life.