Feds Ask Public to Review Family Leave Reporting Forms
Published Date: 6/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on the forms used under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which helps employees take up to 12 weeks off for family or medical reasons without losing their jobs. This affects employers with 50+ workers, schools, and public agencies. Comments are open until July 27, 2026, and the goal is to keep the forms clear and useful without adding extra costs or hassle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Up to 12 Weeks Job‑Protected Leave
If you work for a private employer that employs 50 or more employees, a public agency, or an elementary school, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave during any 12‑month period for certain family or medical reasons. The Department of Labor administers the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and provides optional forms to help employers and employees know their rights and meet their obligations under the law.
Paperwork Burden and Cost for Businesses
The Department estimates this information collection (OMB Control Number 1235-0003) will involve 7,223,061 respondents, 76,927,146 responses, 9,062,983 annual hours of burden, and $251,749,336 in annual other costs for the affected public (private sector businesses or other for‑profits). DOL is requesting OMB approval for this collection for three (3) years.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11140 — Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer info when they pay or deny surprise medical bills. They’ll use special codes to explain these decisions, especially when dealing with folks they don’t have contracts with. This helps patients and providers understand bills better and speeds up fixing disputes, with no extra costs for most people.
2026-11093 — Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators
OSHA wants to make it easier for workers using certain respirators by removing some medical check-ups for filtering facepiece and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. This change affects workers who wear these masks and could save time and money on medical evaluations. The public can share their thoughts until July 6, 2026, before the rule is finalized.
2026-10849 — Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports
Starting July 1, 2026, big labor groups will fill out a longer financial report to boost transparency, while medium-sized groups get updated forms too. These changes help everyone see how union money is handled and apply only to fiscal years beginning after that date. If your labor organization handles $350,000 or more, get ready for clearer, more detailed reporting!
2026-10456 — Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-07959 — Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Department of Labor is proposing clear rules to decide when two companies share responsibility for workers’ rights under key laws like minimum wage, family leave, and farmworker protections. This change helps workers and employers understand who’s in charge and makes enforcement fair and consistent across the country. If finalized, these rules could affect many businesses and workers starting soon, with potential impacts on compliance costs and legal clarity.
2026-05492 — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary: Notice of Court Vacatur
The court has canceled the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule that changed who counts as a trusted investment advisor for retirement plans. Starting April 20, 2026, the old rules from 2020 will be back in charge, affecting financial advisors and retirement plan managers. This means advisors should review their practices to stay on the right side of the law and avoid costly mistakes.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12878 — Large Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation
The U.S. is delaying its first big decision on whether large diameter graphite electrodes from China are being sold unfairly cheap. This delay gives everyone more time to gather info and make sure the investigation is thorough. Companies like Resonac Graphite America and Tokai Carbon GE, plus importers and buyers, should watch for updates since the new deadline is now later than August 3, 2026.
Next: 2026-12880 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Nonmonetary Determination Activity Report
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on a report that tracks how states handle certain job-related decisions without money involved. This helps make sure the process is fair and efficient. If you’re involved in state job programs, your input matters before July 27, 2026, but there’s no new cost or big changes yet.