Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act
Latest action (29 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5168 would expand paid leave benefits for federal and federally-related employees beyond the parental leave currently available under law. Existing statutes generally provide 12 weeks of paid leave only for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. This bill amends multiple laws—including title 5 of the U.S. Code, the Congressional Accountability Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and provisions covering the Executive Office of the President, FAA, TSA, and title 38 (VA) employees—so that paid leave also covers additional categories already recognized under the FMLA, such as caring for a family member with a serious health condition, an employee's own serious health condition, and military family exigency leave. It sets the leave entitlement at 12 workweeks, with a combined cap of 26 workweeks in certain circumstances, and includes rules coordinating with other paid-leave benefits an employee may already receive.
The bill affects a wide range of federal-connected employees: executive branch employees under title 5, congressional staff, employees of the GAO, Library of Congress, U.S. Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, Executive Office of the President, FAA, TSA, VA, and D.C. Courts and Public Defender Service. It requires the VA Secretary to update its leave program to conform within 30 days of enactment and directs D.C. courts and the Public Defender Service to establish comparable paid leave programs.
The bill was introduced on July 29, 2026, by Senator Brian Schatz with several cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. No further action has occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 29, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5168 do?
- S. 5168 would expand paid leave benefits for federal and federally-related employees beyond the parental leave currently available under law. Existing statutes generally provide 12 weeks of paid leave only for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. This bill amends multiple laws—including title 5 of the U.S. Code, the Congressional Accountability Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and provisions covering the Executive Office of the President, FAA, TSA, and title 38 (VA) employees—so that paid leave also covers additional categories already recognized under the FMLA, such as caring for a family member with a serious health condition, an employee's own serious health condition, and military family exigency leave. It sets the leave entitlement at 12 workweeks, with a combined cap of 26 workweeks in certain circumstances, and includes rules coordinating with other paid-leave benefits an employee may already receive. The bill affects a wide range of federal-connected employees: executive branch employees under title 5, congressional staff, employees of the GAO, Library of Congress, U.S. Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, Executive Office of the President, FAA, TSA, VA, and D.C. Courts and Public Defender Service. It requires the VA Secretary to update its leave program to conform within 30 days of enactment and directs D.C. courts and the Public Defender Service to establish comparable paid leave programs. The bill was introduced on July 29, 2026, by Senator Brian Schatz with several cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. No further action has occurred.
- Has S. 5168 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2026, S. 5168 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5168?
- S. 5168 was sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI] (Democrat-HI), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5168?
- Introduced (29 Jul 2026).
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