National Defense Authorization Act (2009)

Amendments included in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act would support family caregivers. An amendment by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) (Amendment 1662 to S. 1390) increases the maximum amount of monthly compensation for servicemembers who are injured or become ill while in the line-of-duty and who need help with everyday activities. The amendment also creates a bridge to the family caregiver program in the Department of Veterans Affairs. An amendment by Rep. Lynn Woolsey and Sen. Chris Dodd (Amendment 1766 to S. 1390) will amend the Family and Medical Leave Act?s (FMLA) military family provisions first enacted in Fiscal Year 2008 by extending the time in which the family member can take such leave (to be within a 5 year period). The amendment also expands the scope of those covered by exigency leave provisions to allow families of deployed service members to take time to manage their family or personal affairs while the service member is deployed.

Bill Number H.R.2647/ S. 1390 (Amendments 1662 and 1766)

Sponsor Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)/ Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Date of Introduction 6/2/2009

Latest Activity Enacted 10/28/2009 (H.R. 2647): Amendment passed House 6/24/2009; Amendments passed Senate 7/23/2009

More Info http://thomas.loc.gov/

http://familyvaluesatwork.org/blog/2009/10/28/a-national-policy-win-for-military-families/

Topic: Direct Services and Support for Caregivers