February 12, 2008

DOL releases proposed FMLA regulations

Legislation updates provided by Rob Smith, Ceridian manager of Government Relations

DOL releases proposed FMLA regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on Monday released proposed rules for implementing the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The rules will provide guidance on implementing the new family military leave amendments to the FMLA that President Bush signed into law in January.

The rules primarily focus on implementing the new family military leave reasons for FMLA but also contain updated guidance on existing FMLA regulations that the DOL has been considering since 2002 when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a portion of the law.

These proposed rules are the first major update to FMLA guidance since the law was enacted 15 years ago. The DOL has given 60 days for public comments on the rules and, in keeping with Congress's increased interest in the FMLA, committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate are holding hearings on the FMLA and the proposed regulations this week. Ceridian will provide a comprehensive analysis of the proposed rules and steps Congress and the Bush administration may take to amend the FMLA further in next month's Ceridian Connection.