# Summary of S. 1714 — Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act)
The FAMILY Act would create a new federal paid family and medical leave insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration. The program would provide monthly cash benefits to workers who take time off for qualifying reasons, including caring for a newborn or seriously ill family member, addressing their own serious health condition, or dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible workers must have earned at least $2,000 in wages during a recent eight-quarter period and can receive up to 12 weeks of benefits per year, with monthly payments ranging from a minimum of $580 to a maximum of $4,000 (adjusted annually for inflation).
The program would be funded through new payroll taxes of 0.2 percent on employees and employers, and 0.4 percent on self-employed individuals. Benefits would not affect Social Security or other federal disability programs. Workers in states that already have paid family leave programs ("legacy states") could continue using those programs instead, with the federal government reimbursing states for their costs.
The legislation includes strong worker protections, making it illegal for employers to retaliate against or fire workers for using the benefits. Workers can bring lawsuits against employers who violate these protections and recover lost wages, liquidated damages, and legal fees. The program would begin accepting applications 18 months after enactment.
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