FAMILY Act
Latest action (13 Feb 2019): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1185, the FAMILY Act, would create a new national paid family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration through a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave, headed by a Deputy Commissioner. Eligible individuals—those insured for Social Security disability benefits and with recent earnings—could receive monthly benefits, calculated as a percentage of past wages within set minimum and maximum amounts, for up to 60 caregiving days per benefit period. Benefits would be available for the same reasons covered under the existing Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993: bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, addressing one's own serious health condition, or handling certain military family needs. A short initial waiting period would apply before benefits begin.
The bill would affect workers nationwide who need time off for caregiving or medical reasons, particularly those without employer-provided paid leave, including lower-income workers, new parents, and family caregivers of ill or elderly relatives. The Social Security Administration would gain new administrative responsibilities, including determining eligibility, issuing benefits, preventing fraud, and reporting annually on program usage by demographic group. Employers would be required to receive and share program information with employees but would not directly pay benefits, which would instead come through the new federal program.
The bill was introduced in the House on February 13, 2019, by Rep. Rosa DeLauro with numerous cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act or the FAMILY Act
This bill establishes the Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Social Security Administration.
The bill entitles every individual to a family and medical leave insurance (FMLI) benefit payment for a specified benefit period and prescribes a formula for determining the individual's monthly benefit amount,
An FMLI benefit payment shall be coordinated with any periodic benefits received under a state or local temporary disability insurance or family leave program.
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on employers, employees, and self-employed individuals to fund FMLI benefits. It also establishes the Federal Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund to hold tax revenues.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1185 do?
- H.R. 1185, the FAMILY Act, would create a new national paid family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration through a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave, headed by a Deputy Commissioner. Eligible individuals—those insured for Social Security disability benefits and with recent earnings—could receive monthly benefits, calculated as a percentage of past wages within set minimum and maximum amounts, for up to 60 caregiving days per benefit period. Benefits would be available for the same reasons covered under the existing Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993: bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, addressing one's own serious health condition, or handling certain military family needs. A short initial waiting period would apply before benefits begin. The bill would affect workers nationwide who need time off for caregiving or medical reasons, particularly those without employer-provided paid leave, including lower-income workers, new parents, and family caregivers of ill or elderly relatives. The Social Security Administration would gain new administrative responsibilities, including determining eligibility, issuing benefits, preventing fraud, and reporting annually on program usage by demographic group. Employers would be required to receive and share program information with employees but would not directly pay benefits, which would instead come through the new federal program. The bill was introduced in the House on February 13, 2019, by Rep. Rosa DeLauro with numerous cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
- Has H.R. 1185 become law?
- Not yet. As of 13 Feb 2019, H.R. 1185 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1185?
- H.R. 1185 was sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D-CT3] (Democrat-CT), with 219 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1185?
- Introduced (13 Feb 2019).
Related bills in Labor and Employment
Retire through Ownership Act
Ending Predator Access to Union Power Act
RETURN Act
Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.