Tester bill amends Family Medical Leave Act to allow time off to mourn death of a child

Time-off for the death of a child would now be among the benefits provided 

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today introduced a bill that would allow parents grieving from the death of their child to receive up to 12 weeks of job-protected time-off under the Family Medical Leave Act.

Parents are currently eligible for extended, unpaid time-off to care for newborn babies, adopted children and family members with serious health conditions.

Tester’s Parental Bereavement Act of 2011 would ensure that the death of a child is treated like other life-altering events, allowing parents time to grieve.

“Allowing time off to mourn the death of a child should have happened a long-time ago because it’s simply the right thing to do for any parent,” said Tester.  “When the unthinkable happens to parents, the last thing they should be worrying about is whether they’ll lose their jobs as they deal with life-changing loss.  We owe this improvement to all parents, and I’m proud to push it in the Senate.”

Tester took notice of the issue after hearing from his constituents, including a mother who lost her son and explained the importance of time away from work to grieve without fear of losing her job.

Tester’s measure would not affect businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Tester’s Parental Bereavement Act of 2011 is available HERE.