A
AALARD
Guest
Family leave law to cover same-sex couples
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama is set to issue an executive order allowing same-sex couples the same family and medical leave benefits as others, officials said.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from jobs to care for newborn or sick children, or for spouses with serious health issues. The administration is expected to issue the new policy Wednesday, extending coverage under the law to same-sex couples, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing administration officials who said the policy will be announced as part of a finding by the Department of Labor's wage and hour division.
The 1993 law applies to people employed by companies with at least 50 employees.
The ruling to be announced Wednesday is the latest in a series of steps the Obama administration has taken to extend rights to same-sex couples routinely enjoyed by other couples, the Times noted. The White House in April announced same-sex partners would get hospital visitation rights and the Justice Department has said the Violence Against Women Act applies to people in same-sex relationships.
Obama is scheduled to meet at the White House Tuesday with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocates, the newspaper said.
Jennifer W. Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, told the Times the new policy means "if you act like a parent, do the work of a parent and raise a child like a parent, then you are a parent for the purpose of the Family and Medical Leave Act."
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama is set to issue an executive order allowing same-sex couples the same family and medical leave benefits as others, officials said.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from jobs to care for newborn or sick children, or for spouses with serious health issues. The administration is expected to issue the new policy Wednesday, extending coverage under the law to same-sex couples, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing administration officials who said the policy will be announced as part of a finding by the Department of Labor's wage and hour division.
The 1993 law applies to people employed by companies with at least 50 employees.
The ruling to be announced Wednesday is the latest in a series of steps the Obama administration has taken to extend rights to same-sex couples routinely enjoyed by other couples, the Times noted. The White House in April announced same-sex partners would get hospital visitation rights and the Justice Department has said the Violence Against Women Act applies to people in same-sex relationships.
Obama is scheduled to meet at the White House Tuesday with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocates, the newspaper said.
Jennifer W. Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, told the Times the new policy means "if you act like a parent, do the work of a parent and raise a child like a parent, then you are a parent for the purpose of the Family and Medical Leave Act."
