Military Maternity and Parental Leave Policies (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Feb. 3, 2016 |
| Report Number |
IN10436 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Kamarck, Kristy N. |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
On January 28, 2016, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that the Department of Defense (DOD) would be establishing new policies for maternity and parental leave as part of the department's 'Force of the Future' initiative. Existing DOD policy (DODI 1327.06, Incorporating Change 2, effective August 12, 2013) defined maternity leave as, 'a convalescent period up to 6 weeks following pregnancy and childbirth.' The existing policy also authorized parental leave, stating, 'A married member on active duty whose spouse gives birth to a child shall receive 10 days of non-chargeable leave of absence to be used in connection with the birth of the child.' The new policy, as announced, extends the period of maternity leave up to 12 weeks and DOD would seek legislative action to extend parental leave up to 14 days. The maternity leave decision would apply to all servicemembers in the active duty component and to certain activated reserve component members.
