Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act
Rep. Ansari Introduces Bill to Require 96 Hours of Paid Reproductive Health Leave
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been sent to several House committees for review. It is actively moving through these committees, but no further votes or hearings have been scheduled yet.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- The bill would require most employers to provide 96 hours (about 12 workdays) of paid leave each year specifically for reproductive health needs. These hours would be granted at the start of every calendar year and would not carry over to the next year.
From policy text
“An employer shall grant to each employee employed by the employer 96 hours of paid leave time on the employee's first workday of each calendar year. The employee may use the paid leave time as needed during that calendar year for reasons described in subsection (b).”
View in full text - The leave covers a broad range of reproductive health conditions and procedures, including menstruation, endometriosis, menopause, fertility treatments, vasectomies, and pregnancy termination. Both surgical procedures and related physical or mental symptoms qualify.
From policy text
“A medical or surgical procedure related to human reproductive health, including any physical or mental symptom related to such a procedure or any reproductive health condition, including-- (A) Menstruation. (B) Endometriosis. (C) Dysmenorrhea. (D) Adenomyosis. (E) Olycystic ovary syndrome. (F) Menopause. (G) Perimenopause.”
View in full text - The bill applies to any business with 5 or more employees, which is a much lower threshold than most federal labor laws. Companies that already offer enough paid leave covering these same reasons would not have to add extra time.
- Employers cannot punish or retaliate against workers for using this leave, count it against attendance records, or require employees to find a replacement to cover their shift. These protections also extend to job applicants.
From policy text
“It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this Act, including-- (A) discharging or discriminating against (including retaliating against) any individual, including a job applicant”
View in full text - Workers whose rights are violated can sue for lost wages, liquidated damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief like reinstatement. The Secretary of Labor also has the power to investigate complaints and bring enforcement actions.
From policy text
“Any employer who violates section 5 (including a violation relating to rights provided under section 3) shall be liable to any employee or individual affected-- (i) for damages equal to-- (I) the amount of-- (aa) any wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation denied or lost by reason of the violation”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Related News
2 articlesDemocrats Introduce Bill for Paid Reproductive Health Leave
Congressional Democrats introduced the Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act on Monday, a bill that would mandate 96 hours of annual paid leave for employees to address reproductive health needs, including menopause, fertility treatments, and abortion care.
New Federal Bill Proposes 12 Days of Paid Leave for Reproductive Health
The Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act aims to provide workers with 96 hours of paid leave each year. The legislation covers a broad range of medical needs, from endometriosis and painful periods to vasectomies and pregnancy termination.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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