Emanuel to Expand FMLA to Protect Victims of Violent Crime and Domestic Violence

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (IL) introduced the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act which would extend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to protect victims of violent crime and domestic violence. This legislation would protect victims of violent crimes and domestic violence and their families from being terminated or demoted by offering them time off for the required court proceedings.

"No victim of violent crime should have to choose between their job and medical attention. No one should fear reprisal from their employer if they need to attend court proceedings," said Emanuel. "National Crime Victims Rights Week reminds us of how important it is that we work to protect the most vulnerable. And we should never punish victims and their families for the crimes committed against them."

Arizona, Colorado and Maine have enacted laws to protect victims from being terminated, demoted or required to use their leave time for court proceedings. No such protections exist at the federal level. For the first time, the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act will afford this protection to the entire nation.

"When my brother Howard was murdered in Phoenix, Arizona I exercised my state constitutional right to be present at every court proceeding—to represent my family--between the two defendants I wound up using up all my vacation time and was written up with a letter of reprimand and threatened with termination after 3 unexcused absences. I would like to thank Rep. Rahm Emanuel for his leadership on this issue—no victim/survivor of crime should be left with choosing between the right they have to attend court proceedings and their employment" said Dan Levey, National President of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.

"Extending the benefits of the Family & Medical Leave Act to victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes is humane, compassionate, and long overdue," said National Partnership for Women & Families President Debra L. Ness. "We thank Representative Rahm Emanuel for sponsoring the legislation, and urge the House to waste no time in passing it. Providing unpaid, job-protected leave is critically important for those who are trying to protect themselves and their children."

"Too often, victims are unable to exercise their right to attend criminal court proceedings because they are afraid they will lose their job," noted Mary Lou Leary, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. "We commend Congressman Emanuel for introducing legislation to make this right under the law a right in fact."

Original cosponsors of the Crime Victims Employment Leave Act include U.S. Representatives George Miller (CA), Carolyn Maloney (NY), Jerrold Nadler (NY), Lynn Woosley (CA) and Gary Ackerman (NY).

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