FORT LEE, Va. –
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 comprises many provisions affecting federal employees, including a law that will provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave and changes to direct hire authorities.
Although the NDAA was signed into law Dec. 20, 2019, the new paid parental paid leave benefit applies to leave taken in connection with a birth, adoption or foster placement occurring on or after Oct. 1, 2020. In a December 2019 memo, the director of the Office of Personnel Management further stated the law applies to those covered by Family and Medical Leave Act provisions applicable to federal civilian employees.
The Department of Defense will issue necessary regulations and guidance to implement this new legislation.
Currently, federal civil servants can use existing leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Federal employees who meet FMLA criteria are also allowed up to 12 weeks of leave without pay.
Another NDAA provision that could affect the Defense Contract Management Agency is a modification of direct hire authorities for DoD. Amending section 9905 of Title 5 of the United States Code, this change consolidates and broadens direct hiring authorities for positions including: cyber workforce; science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, within the defense acquisition workforce; and financial management, accounting and auditing.
To learn more about the NDAA and the provisions affecting federal employees, visit the Congress.gov website: S.1790 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.