HR-2846 — To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries).

YourVoice.Now Summary

Workers & Jobs

Public Health Service officers would get Army leave rules — 12 weeks of parental leave, but half as much unused leave banked.

Workers & Jobs

Paid parental leave — 12 weeks for Public Health Service officers

The bill would put these officers under the Army's leave law. That law allows up to 12 weeks off after a birth, adoption, or long-term foster placement.

Bereavement leave — two weeks for Public Health Service officers

The same Army law allows up to two weeks off when an immediate family member dies. Public Health Service law today covers only annual leave and sick leave.

Unused leave these officers can carry over — 60 days, not 120

Today's Public Health Service law lets officers hold up to 120 days of unused leave into the next year. The bill repeals that rule, so the Army's 60-day cap would take its place.

More about this bill

Most people would see no change in daily life. This one affects the uniformed officers of the U.S. Public Health Service. They are doctors, nurses, dentists, and engineers who serve in federal health agencies. The bill would put their time off under the same law that covers Army officers. That brings real gains. Army leave law allows up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after a birth, adoption, or foster placement. It allows two weeks off when a close family member dies. It also allows up to 14 days of emergency leave. Public Health Service law today covers only annual leave and sick leave. There is one loss. Today's law lets officers hold up to 120 days of unused leave. The bill repeals that rule, so the Army's 60-day limit would apply. The change would start the day the bill became law.

Congressional Summary

This bill entitles officers of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to the same leave benefits provided to officers of the armed forces. Specifically, the bill expands the leave available to USPHS officers with respect to parental leave, emergency leave, and rest and recuperation leave.

Legislative Subjects

Employee leaveGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHealth personnelNational and community service

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Passed House
Action Date: 2026-09-15
Date Added: 2026-09-09
Source: Congress.gov →

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