Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
PL 103-3 (H.R.1), enacted 02/05/1993

107 STAT. 6 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
Feb. 5, 1993 
[H.R. 1] 
Family and 
Medical Leave 
Act of 1993. 
29 u s e 2601 
note. 
Public Law 103-3 
103d Congress 
An Act 
To grant family and temporary medical leave imder certain circumstances. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the "Family and 
Medical Leave Act of 1993". 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findii^ and purposes. 
TITLE I-GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAVE 
Sec. 101. Definitions. 
Sec. 102. Leave requirement. 
Sec. 103. Certification. 
Sec. 104. Employment and benefits protection. 
Sec. 105. Prohibited acts. 
Sec. 106. Investigative authority. 
Sec. 107. Enforcement. 
Sec. 108. Special rules concerning employees of local educational agencies. 
Sec. 109. Notice. 
TITLE II—LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES 
Sec. 201. Leave requirement. 
TITLE III—COMMISSION ON LEAVE 
Sec. 301. Establishment. 
Sec. 302. Duties. 
Sec. 303. Membership. 
Sec. 304. Compensation. 
Sec. 305. Powers. 
Sec. 306. Termination. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
401. Effect on other laws. 
402. Effect on existing employment benefits. 
403. Encouragement of more generous leave policies. 
404. Regulations. 
405. Effective dates. 
TITLE V—COVERAGE OF CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 501. Leave for certain Senate employees. 
502. Leave for certain House employees. 
^ 
TITLE VI—SENSE OF CONGRESS 
Sec. 601. Sense of Congress. 
29 u s e 2601. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the number of single-parent households and two-parent 
households in which the single parent or both parents work 
is increasing significantly; 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 7 
(2) it is important for the development of children and 
the family imit that fathers and mothers be able to participate 
in early childrearing and the care of family members who 
have serious health conditions; 
(3) the lack of employment policies to accommodate working 
parents can force individuals to choose between job security 
and parenting; 
(4) there is inadequate job security for employees who 
have serious health conditions that prevent them from working 
for temporary periods; 
(5) due to the nature of the roles of men and women 
in our society, the primary responsibility for family caretaking 
often falls on women, and such responsibility affects the work-
ing lives of women more than it affects the working lives 
of men; and 
(6) employment standards that apply to one gender only 
have serious potential for encouraging employers to discrimi-
nate against employees and applicants for emplojonent who 
are of that gender. 
(b) PURPOSES.—It is the purpose of this Act— 
(1) to balance the demands of the workplace with the 
needs of families, to promote the stability and economic security 
of families, and to promote national interests in preserving 
family integrity; 
(2) to entitle employees to take reasonable leave for medical 
reasons, for the birth or adoption of a child, and for the care 
of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition; 
(3) to accomplish the purposes described in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) in a manner that accommodates the legitimate 
interests of employers; 
(4) to accomplish the purposes described in paragraphs 
(1) and (2) in a manner that, consistent with the Equal Protec-
tion Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, minimizes the 
P
otential for employment discrimination on the basis of sex 
y ensuring generally that leave is available for eligible medical 
reasons (including maternity-related disability) and for compel-
ling family reasons, on a gender-neutral basis; and 
(5) to promote the goal of equal emplojrment opportunity 
for women and men, pursuant to such clause. 
TITLE I—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 
FOR LEAVE 
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS. 
29 USC 2611. 
As used in this title: 
(1) COMMERCE.—^The terms "commerce" and "industry or 
activity affecting commerce" mean any activity, business, or 
industry in commerce or in which a labor dispute would hinder 
or obstruct commerce or the free flow of commerce, and include 
"commerce" and any "industry affecting commerce", as defined 
in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 501 of the Labor Manage-
ment Relations Act, 1947 (29 U.S.C. 142 (1) and (3)). 
(2) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—^The term "eligible employee" means 
an employee who has been employed— 
-194 O - 94 - 2 : QL. 3 Part 1 
107 STAT. 8 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(i) for at least 12 months by the employer with 
respect to whom leave is requested under section 102; 
and 
(ii) for at least 1,250 hours of service with such 
employer during the previous 12-month period. 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term "eligible employee" does 
not include— 
(i) any Federal ofi&cer or employee covered under 
subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States 
Code (as added by title II of this Act); or 
(ii) any employee of an employer who is employed 
at a worksite at which such employer employs less 
than 50 employees if the total number of employees 
employed by that employer within 75 miles of that 
worksite is less than 50. 
(C) DETERMINATION.—^For purposes of determining 
whether an employee meets the hours of service require-
ment specified in subparagraph (AXii), the legal standards 
established under section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards 
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207) shall apply. 
(3) EMPLOY; EMPLOYEE; STATE.—The terms "employ", 
"employee", and "State" have the same meanings given such 
terms in subsections (c), (e), and (g) of section 3 of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203 (c), (e), and (g)). 
(4) EMPLOYER.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term "employer"— 
(i) means any person engaged in commerce or in 
any industry or activity affecting commerce who 
employs 50 or more employees for each working day 
during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the 
current or preceding calendar year; 
(ii) includes— 
(I) any person who acts, directly or indirectly, 
in the interest of an employer to any of the employ-
ees of such employer; and 
(II) any successor in interest of an employer; 
and 
(iii) includes any "public agency", as defined in 
section 3(x) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29U.S.C.203(x)). 
(B) PUBLIC AGENCY.—^For purposes of subparagraph 
(AXiii), a public agency shall be considered to be a person 
engaged in commerce or in an industry or activity affecting 
commerce. 
(5) EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.—The term "employment bene-
fits" means all benefits provided or made available to employees 
by an employer, including group life insurance, health insur-
ance, disability insurance, sick leave, annual leave, educational 
benefits, and pensions, regardless of whether such benefits 
are provided by a practice or written policy of an employer 
or through an "employee benefit plan", as defined in section 
3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(29 U.S.C. 1002(3)). 
(6) HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.—The term "health care pro-
vider" means— 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 9 
(A) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who is author-
ized to practice medicine or surgery (as appropriate) by 
the State in which the doctor practices; or 
(B) any other person determined by the Secretary to 
be capable of providing health care services. 
(7) PARENT.—^The term "parent" means the biological par-
ent of an employee or an individual who stood in loco parentis 
to an employee when the employee was a son or daughter. 
(8) PERSON.—^The term "person" has the same meaning 
given such term in section 3(a) of the Fair Labor Standards 
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(a)). 
(9) REDUCED LEAVE SCHEDULE.—The term "reduced leave 
schedule" means a leave schedule that reduces the usual num-
ber of hours per workweek, or hours per workday, of an 
employee. 
(10) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretary" means the Sec-
retary of Labor. 
(11) SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION.—The term "serious health 
condition" means an illness, injury, impairment, or physical 
or mental condition that involves— 
(A) inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential 
medical care facility; or 
(B) continuing treatment by a health care provider. 
(12) SON OR DAUGHTER.—The term "son or daughter" means 
a biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, 
or a child of a person standing in loco parentis, who is— 
(A) under 18 years of age; or 
(B) 18 years of age or older and incapable of self-
care because of a mental or physical disability. 
(13) SPOUSE.—^The term "spouse" means a husband or wife, 
as the case may be. 
SEC. 102. LEAVE REQUIREMENT. 
29 USC 2612. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ENTITLEMENT TO LEAVE.—Subject to section 103, an 
eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of 12 workweeks 
of leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the 
following: 
(A) Because of the birth of a son or daughter of the 
employee and in order to care for such son or daughter. 
(B) Because of the placement of a son or daughter 
with the employee for adoption or foster care. 
(C) In order to care for the spouse, or a son, daughter, 
or parent, of the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter, 
or parent has a serioiis health condition. 
(D) Because of a serious health condition that makes 
the employee unable to perform the functions of the position 
of such employee. 
(2) EXPIRATION OF ENTITLEMENT.—The entitlement to leave 
imder subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for a birth 
or placement of a son or daughter shall expire at the end 
of the 12-month period beginning on the date of such birth 
or placement. 
(b) LEAVE TAKEN INTERMITTENTLY OR ON A REDUCED LEAVE 
SCHEDULE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) 
of subsection (aXD shall not be taken by an employee intermit-
107 STAT. 10 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
tently or on a reduced leave schedule unless the employee 
and the employer of the employee agree otherwise. Subject 
to paragraph (2), subsection (eX2), and section 103(bX5), leave 
imder subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (aXD may be 
taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule when medi-
cally necessary. The taking of leave intermittently or on a 
reduced leave schedule pursuant to this paragraph shall not 
result in a reduction in the total amount of leave to which 
the employee is entitled under subsection (a) beyond the amount 
of leave actually taken. 
(2) ALTERNATIVE POSITION.—^If an employee requests inter-
mittent leave, or leave on a reduced leave schedule, under 
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (aXD, that is foreseeable 
based on planned medical treatment, the employer may require 
such employee to transfer temporarily to an available alter-
native position offered by the employer for which the employee 
is qualified and that— 
(A) has equivalent pay and benefits; and 
(B) better accommodates recurring periods of leave 
than the regular employment position of the employee. 
(c) UNPAID LEAVE PERMITTED.—^Except as provided in sub-
section (d), leave granted under subsection (a) may consist of unpaid 
leave. Where an employee is otherwise exempt under regulations 
issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 13(aXl) of the Fair 
Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 213(aXl)), the compliance 
of an employer with this title by providing unpaid leave shall 
not affect the exempt status of the employee under such section. 
(d) RELATIONSHIP TO PAID LEAVE.— 
(1) UNPAID LEAVE.—If an employer provides paid leave 
for fewer than 12 workweeks, the additional weeks of leave 
necessary to attain the 12 workweeks of leave required under 
this title may be provided without compensation. 
(2) SUBSTITUTION OF PAID LEAVE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—^An eligible employee may elect, or 
an employer may require the employee, to substitute any 
of the accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, or family 
leave of the employee for leave provided under subpara-
graph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (aXD for any part 
of the 12-week period of such leave under such subsection. 
(B) SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION.—An eligible employee 
may elect, or an employer may require the employee, to 
substitute any of the accrued paid vacation leave, personal 
leave, or medical or sick leave of the employee for leave 
provided under subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (aXD 
for any part of the 12-week period of such leave under 
such subsection, except that nothing in this title shall 
require an employer to provide paid sick leave or paid 
medical leave in any situation in which such employer 
would not normally provide any such paid leave. 
(e) FORESEEABLE LEAVE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT OF NOTICE.—In any case in which the 
necessity for leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection 
(aXD is foreseeable based on an expected birth or placement, 
the employee shall provide the employer with not less than 
30 days' notice, before the date the leave is to begin, of the 
employee's intention to take leave under such subparagraph, 
• ^ 
except that if the date of the birth or placement requires 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 11 
leave to begin in less than 30 days, the employee shall provide 
such notice as is practicable. 
(2) DUTIES OF EMPLOYEE.—In any case in which the neces-
sity for leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection 
(aXD is foreseeable based on planned medical treatment, the 
employee— 
(A) shall make a reasonable effort to schedule the 
treatment so as not to disrupt unduly the operations of 
the employer, subject to the approval of the health care 
provider of the employee or the health care provider of 
the son, daughter, spouse, or parent of the employee, as 
appropriate; and 
(B) shall provide the employer with not less than 30 
days' notice, before the date the leave is to begin, of the 
employee's intention to take leave under such subpara-
graph, except that if the date of the treatment requires 
leave to begin in less than 30 days, the employee shall 
provide such notice as is practicable. 
(f) SPOUSES EMPLOYED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER.—In any case 
in which a husband and wife entitled to leave under subsection 
(a) are employed by the same employer, the aggregate number 
of workweeks of leave to which both may be entitled may be 
limited to 12 workweeks during any 12-month period, if such leave 
is taken— 
(1) imder subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (aXD; 
or 
(2) to care for a sick parent under subparagraph (C) of 
such subsection. 
SEC. 103. CERTIFICATION. 
29 USC 2613. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^An employer may require that a request 
for leave imder subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 102(aXl) be 
supported by a certification issued by the health care provider 
of the eligible employee or of the son, daughter, spouse, or parent 
of the employee, as appropriate. The employee ^all provide, in 
a timely manner, a copy of such certification to the employer. 
(b) SUFFICIENT CERTIFICATION.—Certification provided under 
subsection (a) shall be sufficient if it states— 
(1) the date on which the serious health condition com-
menced; 
(2) the probable duration of the condition; 
(3) the appropriate medical facts within the knowledge 
of the health care provider regarding the condition; 
(4XA) for purposes of leave under section 102(aXlXC), a 
statement that the eligible employee is needed to care for 
the son, daughter, spouse, or parent and an estimate of the 
amount of time that such employee is needed to care for the 
son, daughter, spouse, or parent; and 
(B) for purposes of leave under section 102(aXlXD), a state-
ment that the employee is unable to perform the fiinctions 
of the position of the employee; 
(5) in the case of certification for intermittent leave, or 
leave on a reduced leave schedule, for planned medical treat-
ment, the dates on which such treatment is expected to be 
given and the duration of such treatment; 
(6) in the case of certification for intermittent leave, or 
leave on a reduced leave schedule, vuider section 102(aXlXD), 
107 STAT. 12 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
a statement of the medical necessity for the intermittent leave 
or leave on a reduced leave schedule, and the expected duration 
of the intermittent leave or reduced leave schedule; and 
(7) in the case of certification for intermittent leave, or 
leave on a reduced leave schedule, under section 102(aXlXC), 
a statement that the employee's intermittent leave or leave 
on a reduced leave schedule is necessary for the care of the 
son, daughter, parent, or spouse who has a serious health 
condition, or will assist in their recovery, and the expected 
duration and schedule of the intermittent leave or reduced 
leave schedule. 
(c) SECOND OPINION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which the employer has 
reason to doubt the validity of the certification provided under 
subsection (a) for leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 
102(aXl), the employer may require, at the expense of the 
employer, that the eligible employee obtain the opinion of a 
second health care provider designated or approved by the 
employer concerning any information certified under subsection 
(b) for such leave. 
(2) LIMITATION.—A health care provider designated or 
approved under paragraph (1) shall not be employed on a 
regular basis by the employer. 
(d) RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTING OPINIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which the second opinion 
described in subsection (c) differs from the opinion in the origi-
nal certification provided under subsection (a), the employer 
may require, at the expense of the employer, that the employee 
obtain the opinion of a third health care provider designated 
or approved jointly by the employer and the employee concern-
ing the information certified imder subsection (b). 
(2) FINALITY.—^The opinion of the third health care provider 
concerning the information certified under subsection (b) shall 
be considered to be final and shall be binding on the employer 
and the employee. 
(e) SUBSEQUENT RECERTIFICATION.—^The employer may require 
that the eligible employee obtain subsequent recertifications on 
a reasonable basis. 
29 use 2614. 
SEC. 104. EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS PROTECTION. 
(a) RESTORATION TO POSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), any 
eligible employee who takes leave under section 102 for the 
intended purpose of the leave shall be entitled, on return from 
such leave— 
(A) to be restored by the employer to the position 
of employment held by the employee when the leave com-
menced; or 
(B) to be restored to an equivalent position with equiva-
lent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and condi-
tions of employment. 
(2) LOSS OF BENEFITS.—^The taking of leave under section 
102 shall not result in the loss of any emplojrment benefit 
accrued prior to the date on which the leave commenced. 
(3) LIMITATIONS.—^Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to entitle any restored employee to— 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 13 
(A) the accrual of any seniority or employment benefits 
during any period of leave; or 
(B) any right, benefit, or position of employment other 
than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee 
would have been entitled had the employee not taken the 
leave. 
(4) CERTIFICATION.—^As a condition of restoration luider 
paragraph (1) for an employee who has taken leave under 
section 102(a)(lXD), the employer may have a imiformly applied 
practice or policy that requires each such employee to receive 
certification from the health care provider of the employee 
that the employee is able to resume work, except that nothing 
in this paragraph shall supersede a valid State or local law 
or a collective bargaining agreement that governs the return 
to work of such employees. 
(5) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection shall be 
construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an employee 
on leave under section 102 to report periodically to the employer 
on the status and intention of the employee to return to work. 
(b) EXEMPTION CONCERNING CERTAIN HIGHLY COMPENSATED 
EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) DENIAL OF RESTORATION.—^An employer may deny res-
toration under subsection (a) to any eligible employee described 
in paragraph (2) if— 
(A) such denial is necessary to prevent substential 
and grievous economic injury to the operations of the 
employer; 
(B) the employer notifies the employee of the intent 
of the employer to deny restoration on such basis at the 
time the employer determines that such iiyury would occur; 
and 
(C) in any case in which the leave has commenced, 
the employee elects not to return to employment after 
receiving such notice. 
(2) AFFECTED EMPLOYEES.—^An eligible employee described 
' in paragraph (1) is a salaried eligible employee who is among 
the highest paid 10 percent of the employees employed by 
the employer within 75 miles of the facility at which the 
employee is employed. 
(c) MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH BENEFITS.— 
(1) COVERAGE.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), dur-
ing any period that an eligible employee takes leave under 
section 102, the employer shall maintoin coverage under any 
"group health plan (as defined in section 5000(b)(1) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for the duration of such leave 
at the level and under the conditions coverage would have 
been provided if the employee had continued in employment 
continuously for the duration of such leave. 
(2) FAILURE TO RETURN FROM LEAVE.—The employer may 
recover the premium that the employer paid for maintaining 
coverage for the employee under such group health plan during 
any period of impaid leave under section 102 if— 
(A) the employee fails to return from leave imder sec-
tion 102 after the period of leave to which the employee 
is entitled has expired; and 
(B) the employee fails to return to work for a reason 
other than— 
107 STAT. 14 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(i) the continuation, recurrence, or onset of a seri-
ous health condition that entitles the employee to leave 
under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 102(aXl); 
or 
(ii) other circumstances beyond the control of the 
employee. 
(3) CERTIFICATION.— 
(A) ISSUANCE.—^An employer may require that a claim 
that an employee is unable to return to work because 
of the continuation, recurrence, or onset of the serious 
health condition described in paragraph (2XBXi) be sup-
ported by— 
(i) a certification issued by the health care provider 
of the son, daughter, spouse, or parent of the employee, 
as appropriate, in the case of an employee unable 
to return to work because of a condition specified in 
section 102(aXlXC); or 
(ii) a certification issued by the health care pro-
vider of the eligible employee, in the case of an 
employee imable to return to work because of a condi-
tion specified in section 102(aXlXD). 
(B) COPY.—^The employee shall provide, in a timely 
manner, a copy of such certification to the employer. 
(C) SUFFICIENCY OF CERTIFICATION.— 
(i) LEAVE DUE TO SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION OF 
EMPLOYEE.—^The certification described in subpara-
graph (AXii) shall be sufficient if the certification states 
that a serious health condition prevented the employee 
from being able to perform the functions of the position 
of the employee on the date that the leave of the 
employee expired. 
(ii) LEAVE DUE TO SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION OF 
FAMILY MEMBER.—^The certification 
described 
in 
subparagraph (AXi) shall be sufficient if the certifi-
cation states that the employee is needed to care for 
the son, daughter, spouse, or parent who has a serious 
health condition on the date that the leave of the 
employee expired. 
29 use 2615. 
SEC. 105. PROHIBITED ACTS. 
(a) INTERFERENCE WITH RIGHTS.— 
(1) EXERCISE OF RIGHTS.—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 title. 
(2) DISCRIMINATION.—It shall be unlawful for any employer 
to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any 
individual for opposing any practice made unlawful by this 
title. 
(b) INTERFERENCE WITH PROCEEDINGS OR INQUIRIES.—It shall 
be unlawful for any person to discharge or in any other manner 
discriminate against any individual because such individual— 
(1) has filed any charge, or has instituted or caused to 
be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this title; 
(2) has given, or is about to give, any information in connec-
tion with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right pro-
vided under this title; or 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 15 
(3) has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry 
or proceeding relating to any right provided under this title. 
SEC. 106. INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY. 
29 USC 2616. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^To ensure compliance with the provisions 
of this title, or anv regulation or order issued under this title, 
the Secretary shall nave, subject to subsection (c), the investigative 
authority provided under section 11(a) of the Fair Labor Standards 
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 211(a)). 
(b) 
OBLIGATION TO 
KEEP 
AND PRESERVE RECORDS.—Any 
employer shall make, keep, and preserve records pertaining to 
compliance with this title m accordance with section 11(c) of the 
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 211(c)) and in accord-
ance with regulations issued by the Secretary. 
(c) REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS GENERALLY LIMITED TO AN ANNUAL 
BASIS.—^The Secretary shall not under the authority of this section 
require any employer or any plan, fund, or program to submit 
to the Secretary any books or records more than once diuing any 
12-month period, unless the Secretary has reasonable cause to 
believe there may exist a violation of this title or any regulation 
or order issued pursuant to this title, or is investigating a charge 
pursuant to section 107(b). 
(d) SUBPOENA POWERS.—^For the purposes of any investigation 
provided for in this section, the Secretary shall have the subpoena 
authority provided for under section 9 of the Fair Labor Standards 
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 209). 
SEC. 107. ENFORCEMENT. 
29 USC 2617. 
(a) CIVIL ACTION BY EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) LiABiUTY.—^Any employer who violates section 105 shall 
be liable to any eligible employee affected— 
(A) for damages equal to— 
(i) the amount of— 
(I) any wages, salary, emplojrment benefits, 
or other compensation denied or lost to such 
employee by reason of the violation; or 
(II) in a case in which wages, salary, employ-
ment benefits, or other compensation have not 
been denied or lost to the employee, any actual 
monetery losses susteined by the employee as a 
direct result of the violation, such as the cost of 
providing care, up to a sum equal to 12 weeks 
of wages or salary for the employee; 
(ii) the interest on the amount described in clause 
(i) calculated at the prevailing rate; and 
(iii) an additional amount as liquidated damages 
equal to the sum of the amount described in clause 
(i) and the interest described in clause (ii), except 
that if an employer who has violated section 105 proves 
to the satisfaction of the court that the act or omission 
which violated section 105 was in good faith and that 
the employer had reasonable grounds for believing that 
the act or omission was not a violation of section 105, 
such court may, in the discretion of the court, reduce 
the amount of the liability to the amount and interest 
determined under clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; and 
(B) for such equiteble relief as may be appropriate, 
including employment, reinstetement, ana promotion. 
107 STAT. 16 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(2) RIGHT OF ACTION.—An action to recover the damages 
or equitable relief prescribed in paragraph (1) may be main-
tained against any employer (including a public agency) in 
any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction by any 
one or more employees for and in behalf o
f
— 
(A) the employees; or 
(B) the employees and other employees similarly situ-
ated. 
(3) FEES AND COSTS.—^The court in such an action shall, 
in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow 
a reasonable attorney's fee, reasonable expert witness fees, 
and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant. 
(4) LIMITATIONS.—^The right provided by paragraph (2) to 
bring an action by or on behalf of any employee shall 
terminate— 
(A) on the filing of a complaint by the Secretary in 
an action under subsection (d) in which restraint is sought 
of any further delay in the pajrment of the amount 
described in paragraph (IXA) to such employee by an 
employer responsible under paragraph (1) for the payment; 
or 
(B) on the filing of a complaint by the Secretary in 
an action under subsection 0>) in which a recovery is sought 
of the damages described in paragraph (IXA) owing to 
an eligible employee by an employer liable imder paragraph 
(1). 
unless the action described in subparagraph (A) or (B) is dis-
missed without prejudice on motion of the Secretary. 
(b) ACTION BY THE SECRETARY.— 
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.—The Secretary shall receive, 
investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints of violations 
of section 105 in the same manner that the Secretary receives, 
investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints of violations 
of sections 6 and 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29U.S.C.206and207). 
(2) CIVIL ACTION.—The Secretary may bring an action in 
any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the damages 
described in subsection (aXlXA). 
(3) SUMS RECOVERED.—Any sums recovered by the Sec-
retary pursusmt to paragraph (2) shall be held in a special 
deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the Secretary, 
directly to each employee affected. Any such sums not paid 
y" 
to an employee because of inability to do so within a period 
of 3 years shall be deposited into the Treasury of the United 
States as miscellaneous receipts. 
(c) LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^Except as provided in paragraph (2), an 
action may be brought under this section not later than 2 
years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged 
violation for which the action is brought. 
(2) WILLFUL VIOLATION.—In the case of such action brought 
for a willful violation of section 105, such action may be brought 
within 3 years of the date of the last event constituting the 
alleged violation for which such action is brought. 
(3) COMMENCEMENT.—In determining when an action is 
commenced by the Secretary under this section for the purposes 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 17 
of this subsection, it shall be considered to be commenced 
on the date when the complaint is filed. 
(d) ACTION FOR INJUNCTION BY SECRETARY.—The district courts 
of the United States shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, in 
an action brought by the Secretary— 
(1) to restrain violations of section 105, including the 
restraint of any withholding of payment of wages, salary, 
employment benefits, or other compensation, plus interest, 
found by the court to be due to eligible employees; or 
(2) to award such other equitable relief as may be appro-
priate, including employment, reinstatement, and promotion. 
(e) SOLICITOR OF LABOR.—^The SoUcitor of Labor may appear 
for and represent the Secretary on any litigation brought imder 
this section. 
SEC. 108. SPECIAL RULES CONCERNING EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL EDU- 29 USC 2618. 
CATIONAL AGENCIES. 
(a) APPUCATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^Except as otherwise provided in this sec-
tion, the rights (including the rights under section 104, which 
shall extend throughout the period of leave of any employee 
under this section), remedies, and procedures under this title 
shall apply to— 
(A) any "local educational agency" (as defined in section 
1471(12) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(12))) and an eligible employee 
of the agency; and 
(B) any private elementary or secondary school and 
an eligible employee of the school. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of the application described 
in paragraph (1): 
(A) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.—The term "eligible employee" 
means an eligible employee of an agency or school described 
in paragraph (1). 
(B) EMPLOYER.—^The term "employer" means an agency 
or school described in paragraph (1). 
(b) LEAVE DOES NOT VIOLATE CERTAIN OTHER FEDERAL LAWS.— 
A local educational agency and a private elementary or secondary 
school shall not be in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), or title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), solely as a result of an 
eligible employee of such agency or school exercising the rights 
of such employee under this title. 
(c) INTERMITTENT LEAVE OR LEAVE ON A REDUCED SCHEDULE 
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in any case 
in which an eligible employee employed principally in an 
instructional capacity by any such educational agency or school 
requests leave under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 
102(a)(1) that is foreseeable based on planned medical treat-
ment and the employee would be on leave for greater than 
20 percent of the total number of working days in the period 
during which the leave would extend, the agency or school 
may require that such employee elect either— 
107 STAT. 18 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(A) to take leave for periods of a particular duration, 
not to exceed the duration of the planned medical treat-
ment; or 
(B) to transfer temporarily to an available alternative 
position offered by the employer for which the employee 
IS qualified, and that— 
(i) has equivalent pay and benefits; and 
(ii) better accommodates recurring periods of leave 
than the regular employment position of the employee. 
(2) APPLICATION.—^The elections described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall apply only with 
respect to an eligible employee who complies with section 
102(eX2). 
(d) RULES APPLICABLE TO PERIODS NEAR THE CONCLUSION OF 
AN ACADEMIC TERM.—^The following rules shall apply with respect 
to periods of leave near the conclusion of an academic term in 
the case of any eligible employee employed principally in an instruc-
tional capacity by any such educational agency or school: 
(1) LEAVE MORE THAN 5 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF TERM.— 
If the eligible employee begins leave under section 102 more 
than 5 weeks prior to the end of the academic term, the agency 
or school may require the employee to continue taking leave 
until the end of such term, if— 
(A) the leave is of at least 3 weeks duration; and 
(B) the return to employment would occur during the 
3-week period before the end of such term. 
(2) LEAVE LESS THAN 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF TERM.— 
If the eligible employee begins leave under subparagraph (A), 
(B), or (C) of section 102(aXl) during the period that commences 
5 weeks prior to the end of the academic term, the agency 
or school may require the employee to continue taking leave 
until the end of such term, if— 
(A) the leave is of greater than 2 weeks duration; 
and 
(B) the return to employment would occur during the 
2-week period before the end of such term. 
(3) LEAVE LESS THAN 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO END OF TERM.— 
If the eligible employee begins leave under subparagraph (A), 
(B), or (C) of section 102(aXl) during the period that commences 
3 weeks prior to the end of the academic term and the duration 
of the leave is greater than 5 working days, the agency or 
school may require the employee to continue to take leave 
until the end of such term. 
(e) RESTORATION TO EQUIVALENT EMPLOYMENT POSITION.—For 
purposes of determinations imder section 104(aXlXB) (relating to 
the restoration of an eligible employee to an equivalent position), 
in the case of a local educational agency or a private elementary 
or secondary school, such determination shall be made on the basis 
of established school board policies and practices, private school 
policies and practices, and collective bargaining agreements. 
(0 REDUCTION OF THE AMOUNT OF LL\BILITY.—If a local edu-
cational agency or a private elementary or secondary school that 
has violated this title proves to the satisfaction of the court that 
the agency, school, or department had reasonable grounds for believ-
ing that the underlying act or omission was not a violation of 
this title, such court may, in the discretion of the court, reduce 
the amount of the liability provided for under section 107(aXlXA) 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 19 
to the amount and interest determined under clauses (i) and (ii), 
respectively, of such section. 
SEC. 109. NOTICE. 
29 USC 2619. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^Each employer shall post and keep posted, 
in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices 
to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, 
a notice, to be prepared or approved by the Secretary, setting 
forth excerpts from, or summaries of, the pertinent provisions of 
this title and information pertaining to the filing of a charge. 
(b) PENALTY.—Any employer that willfully violates this section 
may be assessed a civil money penalty not to exceed $100 for 
eacn separate offense. 
TITLE II—LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVICE 
EMPLOYEES 
SEC. 201. LEAVE REQUIREMENT. 
(a) CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: 
"SUBCHAPTER V—FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 
<
*
§ 6381. Definitions 
T o r the purpose of this subchapter— 
"(1) the term 'employee' means any individual who— 
"(A) is an 'employee*, as defined by section 6301(2), 
including any individual employed in a position referred 
to in clause (v) or (ix) of section 6301(2), but excluding 
any individual employed by the government of the District 
of Columbia and any individual employed on a temporary 
or intermittent basis; and 
"(B) has completed at least 12 months of service as 
an employee (within the meaning of subparagraph (A)); 
"(2) the term "health care provider* means— 
"(A) a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who is author-
ized to practice medicine or surgery (as appropriate) by 
the State in which the doctor practices; and 
"(B) any other person determined by the Director of 
the Office of Personnel Management to be capable of provid-
ing health care services; 
"(3) the term 'parent' means the biological parent of an 
employee or an inaividual who stood in loco parentis to an 
employee when the employee was a son or daughter; 
"(4) the term 'reduced leave schedule' means a leave sched-
ule that reduces the usual number of hours per workweek, 
or hours per workday, of an employee; 
"(5) the term 'serious health condition* means an illness, 
injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that 
involves— 
"(A) inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential 
medical care facility; or 
"(B) continuing treatment by a health care provider; 
and 
107 STAT. 20 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
"(6) the term 'son or daughter* means a biological, adopted, 
or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, or a child of a person 
standing in loco parentis, who is— 
"(A) under 18 years of age; or 
''(B) 18 years of age or older and incapable of self-
care because of a mental or physical disability. 
*
*
§ 6382. Leave requirement 
"(a)(1) Subject to section 6383, an employee shall be entitled 
to a total of 12 administrative workweeks of leave during any 
12-month period for one or more of the following: 
"(A) Because of the birth of a son or daughter of the 
employee and in order to care for such son or daughter. 
"(B) Because of the placement of a son or daughter with 
the employee for adoption or foster care. 
"(C) In order to care for the spouse, or a son, daughter, 
or parent, of the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter, or 
parent has a serious health condition. 
"(D) Because of a serious health condition that makes the 
employee unable to perform the functions of the employee's 
position. 
"(2) The entitlement to leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) 
of paragraph (1) based on the birth or placement of a son or 
daughter shall expire at the end of the 12-month period beginning 
on the date of such birth or placement. 
"(bXD Leave under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (aXD 
shall not be taken by an employee intermittently or on a reduced 
leave schedule luiless the employee and the employing agency of 
the employee agree otherwise. Subject to paragraph (2), subsection 
(eX2), and section 6383(b)(5), leave under subparagraph (C) or 
(D) of subsection (a)(1) may be taken intermittently or on a reduced 
leave schedule when medically necessary. In the case of an employee 
who takes leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule 
pursuant to this paragraph, any hours of leave so taken by such 
employee shall be subtracted from the total amount of leave remain-
ing available to such employee under subsection (a), for purposes 
of the 12-month period involved, on an hour-for-hour basis. 
"(2) If an employee requests intermittent leave, or leave on 
a reduced leave schedule, under subparagraph (C) or (D) of sub-
section (a)(1), that is foreseeable based on planned medical treat-
ment, the employing agency may require such employee to transfer 
temporarily 
to an available alternative position offered by the 
employing agency for which the employee is qualified and that— 
"(A) has equivalent pay and benefits; and 
"(B) better accommodates recurring periods of leave than 
the regular employment position of the employee. 
"(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), leave granted under 
subsection (a) shall be leave without pay. 
"(d) An employee may elect to substitute for leave under 
subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (aXD any of the 
employee's accrued or accumulated annual or sick leave under 
subchapter I for any part of the 12-week period of leave under 
such subsection, except that nothing in this subchapter shall require 
an employing agency to provide paid sick leave in any situation 
in which such employing agency would not normally provide any 
such paid leave. 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 21 
"(eXD In any case in which the necessity for leave under 
subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (aXD is foreseeable based 
on an expected birth or placement, the employee shall provide 
the emplojdng agency with not less than 30 days' notice, before 
the date the leave is to begin, of the employee's intention to take 
leave under such subparagraph, except that if the date of the 
birth or placement requires leave to begin in less than 30 days, 
the employee shall provide such notice as is practicable. 
"(2) In any case in which the necessity for leave vmder subpara-
graph (C) or (D) of subsection (aXD is foreseeable based on planned 
medical treatment, the employee— 
"(A) shall make a reasonable efiTort to schedule the treat-
ment so as not to disrupt unduly the operations of the employ-
ing agency, subject to the approval of the health care provider 
of the employee or the health care provider of the son, daughter, 
spouse, or parent of the employee, as appropriate; and 
"(B) shall provide the employing agency with not less than 
30 days' notice, before the date the leave is to begin, of the 
employee's intention to take leave under such subparagraph, 
except that if the date of the treatment requires leave to begin 
in less than 30 days, the employee shall provide such notice 
as is practicable. 
"§6383. Certification 
"(a) An employing agency may require that a request for leave 
under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 6382(aXl) be supported 
by certification issued by the health care provider of the employee 
or of the son, daughter, spouse, or parent of the employee, as 
appropriate. The employee shall provide, in a timely manner, a 
copy of such certification to the employing agency. 
"(b) A certification provided under subsection (a) shall be suffi-
cient if it states— 
"(1) the date on which the serious health condition com-
menced; 
"(2) the probable duration of the condition; 
"(3) the appropriate medical facts within the knowledge 
of the health care provider regarding the condition; 
"(4XA) for purposes of leave \mder section 6382(a)(lXC), 
a statement that the employee is needed to care for the son, 
daughter, spouse, or parent, and an estimate of the amount 
of time that such employee is needed to care for such son, 
daughter, spouse, or parent; and 
"(B) for purposes of leave under section 6382(a)(lXD), a 
statement that the employee is unable to perform the functions 
of the position of the employee; and 
"(5) in the case of certification for intermittent leave, or 
leave on a reduced leave schedule, for planned medical treat-
ment, the dates on which such treatment is expected to be 
given and the duration of such treatment. 
"(cXD In any case in which the emplojdng agency has reason 
to doubt the validity of the certification provided under subsection 
(a) for leave \inder subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 6382(a)(1), 
the employing agency may require, at the expense of the agency, 
that the employee obtain the opinion of a second health care pro-
vider designated or approved by the employing agency concerning 
any information certified under subsection (b) for such leave. 
107 STAT. 22 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
"(2) Any health care provider designated or approved under 
paragraph (1) shall not be employed on a reguleur basis by the 
employing agency. 
"(dXl) In any case in which the second opinion described in 
subsection (c) differs from the original certification provided imder 
subsection (a), the employing agency may require, at the expense 
of the agency, that the employee obtain the opinion of a third 
health care provider designated or approved jointly by the employ-
ing agency and the employee concerning the information certified 
under subsection (b). 
"(2) The opinion of the third health care provider concerning 
the information certified under subsection (b) shall be considered 
to be final and shall be binding on the employing agency and 
the employee. 
"(e) The emplo3dng agency may require, at the expense of 
the agency, that the employee obtain subsequent recertifications 
on a reasonable basis. 
^§ 6384. Employment and benefits protection 
"(a) Any employee who takes leave under section 6382 for 
the intended purpose of the leave shall be entitled, upon return 
from such leave— 
"(1) to be restored by the employing agency to the position 
held by the employee when the leave commenced; or 
"(2) to be restored to an equivalent position with equivalent 
benefits, pay, status, and other terms and conditions of employ-
ment. 
"(b) The taking of leave under section 6382 shall not result 
in the loss of any employment benefit accrued prior to the date 
on which the leave commenced. 
"(c) Except as otherwise provided by or under law, nothing 
in this section shall be construed to entitle any restored employee 
to— 
"(1) the accrual of any employment benefits during any 
period of leave; or 
"(2) any right, benefit, or position of emplovment other 
than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee 
would have been entitled had the employee not taken the 
leave. 
"(d) As a condition to restoration imder subsection (a) for an 
employee who takes leave under section 6382(aXlXD), the employ-
ing agency may have a uniformly applied practice or policy that 
requires each such employee to receive certification from the health 
care provider of the employee that the employee is able to resume 
work. 
"(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an 
employing agency from reauiring an employee on leave imder sec-
tion 6382 to report periodically to the emplo3dng agency on the 
status and intention of the employee to return to work. 
*
*
§ 6385. Prohibition of coercion 
"(a) An employee shall not directly or indirectly intimidate, 
threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, 
any other employee for the purpose of interfering with the exercise 
of any rights which such other employee may have imder this 
subchapter. 
"(b) For the purpose of this section— 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 23 
"(1) the term 'intimidate, threaten, or coerce' includes 
promising to confer or conferring any benefit (such as appoint-
ment, promotion, or compensation), or taking or threatening 
to take any reprisal (such as deprivation of appointment, pro-
motion, or compensation); and 
"(2) the term 'employee' means any 'employee*, as defined 
by section 2105. 
''§ 6386. Health insurance 
"An employee enrolled in a health benefits plan under chapter 
89 who is placed in a leave status under section 6382 may elect 
to continue the health benefits enrollment of the employee while 
in such leave status and arrange to pay currently into the Employ-
ees Health Benefits Fund (described in section 8909), the appro-
priatfi employee contributions. 
''§6387. Reflations 
'The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regula-
tions necessary for the administration of this subchapter. The regu-
lations prescribed under this subchapter shall, to the extent appro-
priate, D
O consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Sec-
retary of Labor to carry out title I of the Family and Medical 
Leave Act of 1993.". 
(2) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for chapter 
63 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
"SUBCHAPTER V—FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 
"6381. Definitions. 
"6382.*Leave requirement. 
"6383. Certification. 
"6384. Employment and benefits protection. 
"6385. Prohibition of coercion. 
"6386. Health insurance. 
"6387. Regulations.". 
(b) EMPLOYEES PAID FROM NONAPPROPRIATED FUNDS.—Section 
2105(c)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking "or" at the end of subparagraph (C); and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
"(E) subchapter V of chapter 63, which shall be applied 
so as to construe references to benefit programs to refer 
to 
applicable 
programs 
for employees 
paid 
from 
nonappropriated funds; or". 
TITLE III—COMMISSION ON LEAVE 
SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT. 
29 USC 2631. 
There is established a commission to be known as the Commis-
sion on Leave (referred to in this title as the "Commission"). 
S E C 302. DUTIES. 
29 USC 2632. 
The Commission shall— 
(1) conduct a comprehensive study o
f
— 
(A) existing and proposed mandatory and voluntary 
policies relating to family and temporary medical leave, 
including policies provided by employers not covered under 
this Act; 
107 STAT. 24 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(B) the potential costs, benefits, and impact on 
productivity, job creation and business growth of such poU-
cies on employers and employees; 
(C) possible differences in costs, benefits, and impact 
on productivity, job creation and business growth of such 
policies on employers based on business type and size; 
(D) the impact of family and medical leave policies 
on the availability of employee benefits provided by employ-
ers, including employers not covered under this Act; 
(E) alternate and equivalent State enforcement of title 
I with respect to employees described in section 108(a); 
(F) methods used by employers to reduce administra-
tive costs of implementing family and medical leave poli-
cies; 
(G) the ability of the employers to recover, under sec-
tion 104(cX2), the premiums described in such section; 
and 
(H) the impact on employers and employees of policies 
that provide temporary wage replacement during periods 
of family and medical leave. 
Reports. 
(2) not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
Commission first meets, prepare and submit, to the appropriate 
Committees of Congress, a report concerning the subjects listed 
in paragraph (1). 
29 use 2633. 
SEC. 303. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) APPOINTMENTS.—^The Commission shall be composed 
of 12 voting members and 4 ex officio members to be appointed 
not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act as follows: 
(A) SENATORS.—One Senator shall be appointed by 
the Majority Leader of the Senate, and one Senator shall 
be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. 
(B) MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—One 
Member of the House of Representatives shall be appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one 
Member of the House of Representatives shall be appointed 
by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. 
(C) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.— 
(i) APPOINTMENT.—^Two members each shall be 
appointed by— 
(I) the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives; 
(II) the Maj^ority Leader of the Senate; 
(III) the Minority Leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(IV) the Minority Leader of the Senate. 
(ii) EXPERTISE.—Such members shall be appointed 
by virtue of demonstrated expertise in relevant family, 
temporary disability, and labor management issues. 
Such members shall include representatives of employ-
ers, including employers from large businesses and 
from small businesses. 
(2) Ex OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Com-
merce, and the Administrator of the Small Business Adminis-
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 25 
tration shall serve on the Commission as nonvoting ex officio 
members. 
(b) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled 
in the manner in which the original appointment was made. The 
vacancy shall not afTect the power of the remaining members to 
execute the duties of the Commission. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission 
shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson from among the 
members of the Commission. 
(d) QUORUM.—^Eight members of the Commission shall con-
stitute a quorum for all purposes, except that a lesser nimiber 
may constitute a quonmi for the purpose of holding hearings. 
SEC. 304. COMPENSATION. 
29 USC 2634. 
(a) PAY.—^Members of the Commission shall serve without com-
pensation. 
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—^Members of the Commission shall be 
allowed reasonable travel expenses, including a per diem allowance, 
in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, Lfnited States Code, 
when performing duties of the Commission. 
SEC. 305. POWERS. 
29 USC 2635. 
(a) MEETINGS.—^The Commission shall first meet not later than 
30 days after the date on which all members are appointed, and 
the Commission shall meet thereafter on the call of the chairperson 
or a majority of the members. 
(b) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, 
and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses 
appearing before it. 
(c) ACCESS TO INFORMATION.—^The Commission may secure 
directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable 
it to carry out this title, if the information may be disclosed under 
section 552 of title 5, United States Code. Subject to the previous 
sentence, on the request of the chairperson or vice chairperson 
of the Commission, the head of such agency shall furnish such 
information to the Commission. 
(d) USE OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES.—Upon the request of 
the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may make avail-
able to the Commission any of the facilities and services of such 
agency. 
(e) PERSONNEL FROM OTHER AGENCIES.—On the request of 
the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail any 
of the personnel of such agency to serve as an Executive Director 
of the Commission or assist tne Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission. Any detail shall not interrupt or other-
wise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal 
employee. 
(f) VOLUNTARY SERVICE.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 
31, United States Code, the chairperson of the Commission may 
accept for the Commission voluntary services provided by a member 
of the Commission. 
SEC. 306. TERMINATION. 
29 USC 2636. 
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date of 
the submission of the report of the Commission to Congress. 
107 STAT. 26 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
29 u s e 2651. 
SEC. 401. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 
(a) FEDERAL AND STATE ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS.—Nothing 
in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed 
to modify or affect any Federal or State law prohibiting discrimina-
tion on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, 
or disability. 
(b) STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.—^Nothing in this Act or any amend-
ment made by this Act shall be construed to supersede any provision 
of any State or local law that provides greater family or medical 
leave rights than the rights established under this Act or any 
amendment made by this Act. 
29 u s e 2652. 
SEC. 402. EFFECT ON EXISTING EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. 
(a) MORE PROTECTIVE.—Nothing in this Act or any amendment 
made by this Act shall be construed to diminish the obligation 
of an employer to comply with any collective bargaining agreement 
or any employment benefit program or plan that provides greater 
family or medical leave rights to employees than the rights estab-
lished under this Act or any amendment made by this Act. 
(b) LESS PROTECTIVE.—^The rights established for employees 
under this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall not 
be diminished by any collective bargaining agreement or any 
employment benefit program or plan. 
29 use 2653. 
SEC. 403. ENCOURAGEMENT OF MORE GENEROUS LEAVE POUCIES. 
Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall 
be construed to discourage employers from adopting or retaining 
leave policies more generous than any policies that comply with 
the requirements under this Act or any amendment made by this 
Act. 
29 u s e 2654. 
SEC. 404. REGULATIONS. 
The Secretary of Labor shall prescribe such regulations as 
are necessary to carry out title I and this title not later than 
120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
29 u s e 2601 
SEC. 405. EFFECTIVE DATES. 
"°*®' 
(a) TITLE III.—Title III shall take effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
(b) OTHER TITLES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^Except as provided in paragraph (2), titles 
I, II, and V and this title shall take effect 6 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.—In the case of 
a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective 
date prescribed by paragraph (1), title I shall apply on the 
earlier o
f
— 
(A) the date of the termination of such agreement; 
or 
(B) the date that occurs 12 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 27 
TITLE V—COVERAGE OF 
CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES 
SEC. 501. LEAVE FOR CERTAIN SENATE EMPLOYEES. 
2 USC 60m. 
(a) COVERAGE.—^The rights and protections established under 
sections 101 through 105 shall apply with respect to a Senate 
employee and an employing office. For purposes of such application, 
the term "eligible employee" means a Senate employee and the 
term "employer" means an emplojdng ofli'^e. 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF ALLEGATIONS.— 
(1) APPLICABLE PROVISIONS.—The provisions of sections 304 
through 313 of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 
(2 U.S.C. 1204-1213) shall, except as provided in subsections 
(d) and (e)— 
(A) apply with respect to an allegation of a violation 
of a provision of sections 101 through 105, with respect 
to Senate emplo3mient of a Senate employee; and 
(B) apply to such an allegation in the same manner 
and to the same extent as such sections of the Government 
Employee Rights Act of 1991 apply with respect to an 
allegation of a violation under such Act. 
(2) ENTITY.—Such an allegation shall be addressed by the 
Office of Senate Fair Emplojonent Practices or such other entity 
as the Senate may designate. 
(c) RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES.—The Office of Senate Fair Employ-
ment Practices shall ensure that Senate employees are informed 
of their rights under sections 101 through 105. 
(d) LIMITATIONS.—^A request for counseling under section 305 
of such Act by a Senate employee alleging a violation of a provision 
of sections 101 through 105 snail be made not later than 2 years 
after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation 
for which the counseling is requested, or not later than 3 years 
after such date in the case of a willful violation of section 105. 
(e) APPLICABLE REMEDIES.—^The remedies applicable to individ-
uals who demonstrate a violation of a provision of sections 101 
through 105 shall be such remedies as would be appropriate if 
awarded imder paragraph (1) or (3) of section 107(a). 
(f) EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWER.—The provisions of sub-
sections (b), (c), (d), and (e), except as such subsections apply 
with respect to section 309 of the Government Employee Rights 
Act of 1991 (2 U.S.C. 1209), are enacted by the Senate as an 
exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, with full recognition 
of the right of the Senate to change its rules, in the same manner, 
and to uie same extent, as in the case of any other rule of the 
Senate. No Senate employee may commence a judicial proceeding 
with respect to an allegation described in subsection (b)(1), except 
as provided in this section. 
107 STAT. 28 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
(g) SEVERABILITY.—^Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
if any provision of section 309 of the Government Employee Rights 
Act of 1991 (2 U.S.C. 1209), or of subsection (bXD insofar as 
it applies such section 309 to an allegation described in subsection 
(bXlXA), is invalidated, both such section 309, and subsection (bXD 
insofar as it applies such section 309 to such an allegation, shall 
have no force and effect, and shall be considered to be invalidated 
for purposes of section 322 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1221). 
(h) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section: 
(1) EMPLOYING OFFICE.—^The term "employing office" means 
the office with the final authority described in section 301(2) 
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1201(2)). 
(2) SENATE EMPLOYEE.—The term "Senate employee" means 
an employee described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 
301(cXl) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1201(cXl)) who has been 
employed for at least 12 months on other than a temporary 
or intermittent basis by any employing office. 
2 use 60n. 
SEC. 502. LEAVE FOR CERTAIN HOUSE EMPLOYEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The rights and protections imder sections 
102 through 105 (other than section 104(b)) shall apply to any 
employee in an employment position and any employing authority 
of the House of Representatives. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—In the administration of this section, the 
remedies and procedures under the Fair Emplojnnent Practices 
Resolution shall be applied. 
(c) DEFINITION.—^As used in this section, the term "Fair Employ-
ment Practices Resolution" means rule LI of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives. 
TITLE VI—SENSE OF CONGRESS 
SEC. 601. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of the Congress that: 
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a comprehensive 
review of current departmental policy with respect to the service 
of homosexuals in the Armed Forces; 
(b) Such review shall include the basis for the current 
policy of mandatory separation; the rights of all service men 
and women, and the effects of any change in such policy on 
morale, discipline, and military effectiveness; 
Reports. 
(c) The Secretary shall report the results of such review 
and consultations and his recommendations to the President 
and to the Congress no later than July 15,1993; 
PUBLIC LAW 103-3—FEB. 5, 1993 
107 STAT. 29 
(d) The Senate Committee on Armed Services shall conduct 
(i) comprehensive hearings on the current military policy with 
respect to the service of nomosexuals in the militaiy services; 
and (ii) shall conduct oversight hearings on the Secretary's 
recommendations as such are reported. 
Approved February 5, 1993. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1 (S. 5): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 103-8, Pt. 1 (Coram, on Education and Labor) and Ft. 2 
(Coram, on Post Office and Civil Service). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 103-3 accompanying S. 5 (Comm. on Labor and Human 
Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993): 
Feb. 2, S. 5 considered in Senate. 
Feb. 3, considered in Senate; H.R. 1 considered and passed House. 
Feb. 4, H.R. 1 considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 5. House 
concurred in Senate amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 29 (1993): 
Feb. 5, Presidential remarks and statement.