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H.R.2161 / 111th Congress

Family and Medical Leave Restoration Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 29, 2009

Family and Medical Leave Restoration Act - Requires the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations promulgated under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) governing coverage and employee leave entitlements.

Repeals certain regulations promulgated on November 17, 2008, and restores those promulgated on January 6, 1996.

Directs the Secretary to revise regulations regarding an employer's request for recertification of a medical condition whose minimum duration is more than 30 days for leave taken because of an employee's own serious health condition or the serious health condition of a family member. Requires the Secretary to permit an employer to require such a recertification no earlier than: (1) the expiration of the length of time indicated in the original certification; or (2) one year after obtaining the original certification, if the original certification indicated that the medical condition would last longer than one year.

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Directs the Secretary to revise the requirements for continuing treatment of a serious health condition to: (1) remove requirements for a specific number of periodic visits for treatment by a health care provider in order to qualify for leave; and (2) require only the treatment that the health care provider determines proper.

Requires the Secretary to revise any medical certification form templates to conform with this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] · D–NH

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
34 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

  2. Referred to House Administration

  3. Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform

  4. Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Referred to House Education and Labor

  6. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1008)

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.2161 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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