In December 0f 2019, Congress passed legislation providing certain federal employees, including Border Patrol employees, with up to 12 weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The law, (Federal Employees Paid Leave Act) becomes effective October 1, 2020, meaning that employees will be eligible for the paid leave if the child is born on or after October 1, 2020, (it is not retroactive). For parents who are both Border Patrol employees, each parent would be eligible for 12 weeks of paid leave. The 12 weeks of leave must be taken within 12 months of the date of the birth or adoption of a new child. (NOTE: In order to qualify for this benefit, an employee must have at leave 12 months of federal government service, and the employee must agree to work for the agency for an additional 12 weeks following the leave.) Federal agencies are working to create internal policies and make changes to their payroll systems in order to implement the law; however, the implementation date is October 1, 2020. If you have any questions, please direct them to: admin@rgv3307.org