Bereavement Lasts A Lifetime;

Healing Begins in it’s own time – Advocate for Change

We are asking for your support in making a common-sense change to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The FMLA was created to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by providing protected leave during significant life events. It allows time away from work following the birth or adoption of a child and to care for family members with serious health conditions. However, since the law was enacted in 1993, it has never included comparable leave for parents following the death of a child. We believe this was an unintended oversight in the original legislation.

For the past 14 years, we have worked with numerous legislators, alongside Barry Kluger and Kelly Farley, founders of the Farley-Kluger Initiative, to amend the FMLA. Although our efforts have spanned multiple sessions of Congress, meaningful change has remained elusive.

In April of this year, Tom Barklage joined our advocacy, As an outgrowth of our efforts, on April 6, Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced a new bipartisan bill; The Sarah-Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act, otherwise known as the Bereavement Act.

Between Kelly, Barry, Tom, and Matt & Marissa Weippert, we have endured the unimaginable loss of five precious children. Each of us was expected to return to work far too soon, without adequate time to grieve, heal, and begin rebuilding our lives after experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare.

We believe providing protected bereavement leave for the death of a child is simply common sense. No parent should have to choose between keeping their job and taking the time needed to mourn the loss of their son or daughter.

We ask you to stand with grieving families across America. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support Bill H.R. 8207. Together, we can ensure that future parents facing this unimaginable tragedy are given the time and dignity they deserve.

This legislation is more than a bill; it is a promise of compassion for grieving families.