Family Medical Leave Act Now Covers Same-Sex Couples

The U.S. Department of Labor recently finalized a rule to extend the protections afforded by the Family Medical Leave Act to married same-sex couples.  The new "place of celebration" rule allows all legally married couples, whether traditional same-sex marriages or opposite-sex marriages, to receive FLMA benefits.  The definition of "spouse" was modified accordingly.  The new rule also covers employees in lawfully recognized marriages entered into outside the United States.

The effective date of the new rule is March 27.

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