March 24, 2026
Ms. Bynum (for herself and Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To establish an entitlement to a supplemental period of unpaid parental leave for employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Supporting VA Families Act
.
Sec. 2. Supplemental period of unpaid parental leave for Department of Veterans Affairs employees
(a) Unpaid parental leave
(1) In general
Notwithstanding section 7421 of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law, an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs (including an employee who is appointed in the Veterans Health Administration under any provision of chapter 74 of such title on a full-time basis in a position listed in section 7421(b) of such title) shall be entitled to four administrative weeks of leave without pay during any 12-month period due to—
(A)
the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and to care for such son or daughter; or
(B)
the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.
(2) Expiration
The entitlement to leave under paragraph (1) shall expire at the end of the 12-month period beginning on the date of such birth or placement.
(b) Supplement, not supplant
The entitlement to leave under subsection (a) shall be in addition to any entitlement to leave under subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, or, as applicable, section 7425(c) of title 38, United States Code.
(c) Definitions
In this section, the terms employee and son or daughter have the meanings given such terms in section 6831 of title 5, United States Code.