119-HR-8158 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

A federal bill to guarantee up to 96 hours (about 12 workdays) of paid leave each year so workers can address reproductive‑health symptoms, appointments, and procedures.

What It Does

H.R. 8158, the “Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act,” would require most employers with five or more employees to front‑load 96 hours of paid leave on the first workday of each calendar year for reproductive‑health reasons. Covered uses include symptoms and care tied to conditions like menstruation, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopause, and menopause, as well as procedures such as fertility treatments, pregnancy termination, hysterectomies, and vasectomies. Unused hours don’t carry over. Requests can be oral or written; employers may not require workers to find a replacement. Existing policies that are at least as generous for these reasons satisfy the requirement. Employers must post a notice; willful failure can trigger civil fines. Anti‑retaliation rules apply, and the Labor Department and employees can enforce the law with damages and other remedies.

Who’s For It

• Lead sponsor: Rep. Ansari (Democratic), with 24 Democratic co‑sponsors including Reps. Beatty, Bell, Brownley, Carter (LA), Clarke (NY), Conaway, Goldman (NY), Grijalva, Jackson (IL), Johnson (GA), Kennedy (NY), Krishnamoorthi, McGarvey, Norton, Pressley, Ross, Simon, Thanedar, Tlaib, Tonko, Trahan, Velázquez, Williams (GA), and Wilson (FL).
• Supporters say it lets people manage real health needs without losing pay, especially those with painful or chronic conditions, and recognizes that reproductive health affects all genders (e.g., vasectomies).
• Backers also argue it creates clear national rules while allowing states or employers to go further if they already offer more generous leave.

Who’s Against It

• As of March 31, 2026, no formal opposition statements are noted in the provided record; debate is just beginning in committee.
• Based on past fights over federal leave mandates, expected critics may include some Republican members and business groups who argue it could raise costs for small employers, be open to misuse, conflict with state‑designed programs, and spark controversy because it covers abortion alongside other care.

Key Numbers

What’s Next

Introduced in the House on March 30, 2026, and referred to the Committees on Education and Workforce; Oversight and Government Reform; House Administration; and the Judiciary. Next steps typically include committee hearings and markups, potential cost estimates, and—if advanced—a House floor vote before any Senate action.