Family Medical Leave Act Amended for Military Personnel and Family

President Bush has signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which has amended the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) effective January 28, 2008. The Act includes a provision that allows eligible family members of military personnel to take up to 26 weeks of leave to care for a wounded member of the armed forces. Additionally, it allows an eligible employee 12 weeks of unpaid leave "for any qualifying exigency" if the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of the eligible employee is on active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty) in the Armed Forces.