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OPM.gov / Frequently Asked Questions / Domestic Partner Benefits FAQ / Leave Policy
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Leave Policy

Questions and answers

Yes. In 1997, President Clinton established the 24-hour LWOP policy to encourage Federal agencies to make 24 hours of unpaid leave available to Federal employees for these three family support purposes as an interim measure while pursuing legislation to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Although FMLA was never amended for these purposes, President Obama continues to support this LWOP policy with a current emphasis to extend coverage to Federal employees with same-sex domestic partners. Pursuant to the President’s June 2, 2010, Memorandum, OPM has extended the 24-hour LWOP policy to apply also to the children and elderly relatives of employees’ same-sex domestic partners. See CPM 2010-16, Extension of 24-Hour LWOP Family Support Policy to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Federal Employees, September 10, 2010 http://www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=3146. See also Frequently Asked Questions about Leave: 24-Hours of LWOP for Family Support (http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/24HoursLWOPQA.asp).  
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