The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes an amendment proposed by Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Chris Smith, R-N.J. This amendment expands paid leave access for veterans who shift from active duty military service to civilian federal work. Presently, a federal employee must serve for 12 months to gain access to 12 weeks of paid parental leave or paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The amendment would count honorable active service in a military service branch as qualifying service time. This allows service members transitioning to civilian federal employment to immediately access paid parental leave or FMLA leave, provided they have completed at least a year of military service. Additionally, the Veterans Affairs Department is mandated to implement similar amendments for its Title 38 medical professionals.

Those seeking to contact the relevant departments for enquiries about such parental leave benefits can use EDDCaller.com. It is an autodial program that helps individuals connect with representatives for unemployment, paid family leave, and disability departments quickly and efficiently.