Contact Congress about H.R. 5390: FAMILY Act

Workers could get part of their pay when they take time off for major family, health, or safety needs. The Social Security Administration would run the program and decide who qualifies. Many workers would also get job protection and keep health coverage during leave.

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FAMILY Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Latest action on H.R. 5390: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects workers who need time off but do not have paid leave through their job or state. It also affects employers, because they would have new rules about leave, job return, health coverage, and retaliation. States with paid leave programs could keep running them if they meet federal standards. The Social Security Administration would take on a new national benefit program.

Why this matters: Paid leave now depends heavily on where a person works or lives. This bill would create one federal baseline for many workers. It could help people take time off for birth, adoption, illness, family care, or abuse-related needs without losing all income. Its real effects would depend on how many people use it, how it is funded, and how smoothly the Social Security Administration runs it.

Key provisions in H.R. 5390

• Creates a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave inside the Social Security Administration. A Deputy Commissioner would lead it.
• Covers several kinds of paid leave. Workers could qualify for a new child, a seriously ill family member, their own serious illness, or violence-related needs such as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and related harm.
• Defines family in a broad way. It includes spouses, domestic partners, children of any age, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and some people with a close family-like bond by blood or close personal relationship.
• Workers must have enough recent earnings to qualify. They need at least the set amount of wages or self-employment income from the last eight calendar quarters, starting at $2,000 for benefit periods beginning in 2026 and rising later with national wage growth.
• Benefits would depend on the worker's usual monthly earnings. Lower-paid workers would get a larger share of their wages, and minimum and maximum monthly benefits would rise over time with wage growth.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5390

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5390

What is H.R. 5390?

Workers could get part of their pay when they take time off for major family, health, or safety needs. The Social Security Administration would run the program and decide who qualifies. Many workers would also get job protection and keep health coverage during leave.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5390?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5390?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5390 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.