The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would provide paid parental leave for up to four weeks for either the birth or adoption of a child.

A similar bill was also passed by the House last year, but died in the Senate. However, a June 9 article on the Government Executive website indicates that the Senate may be more likely to pass a parental leave bill this year:

Proponents of the current bill said the political climate in 2009 is more favorable to passage because of Democratic control of Congress, and a president who co-sponsored similar legislation as a senator. "It's going to really help our chances in the Senate," said Randy Erwin, legislative director for the National Federation of Federal Employees.

Though the bill is not yet on the Senate calendar, Government Executive writer Alex M. Parker reported that a companion bill has been put before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs federal workforce subcommittee.

Labels: adoptive parents, legislation