# Plain Language Summary: Caring for All Families Act

This bill expands the types of family members that workers can take unpaid leave to care for under federal law. Currently, the Family and Medical Leave Act only covers spouses, children, and parents. This bill adds domestic partners, in-laws (like parents-in-law and sons/daughters-in-law), grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. It also includes anyone with a "close association equivalent to a family relationship"—meaning people like close friends or chosen family members who have a significant personal bond with the employee, even if there's no biological or legal connection.

The bill applies to both private sector workers covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act and federal government employees. When someone in these expanded family categories has a serious health condition, workers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for them while keeping their job and health insurance. The same protections apply—employers can't fire someone for taking this leave, and they must maintain the employee's benefits during the absence. Workers would need to provide medical certification that the family member has a serious health condition, just like they do now for parents and spouses.

Additionally, the bill creates new "parental involvement and family wellness leave" that allows employees to take time off to participate in their children's and grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities or to handle family care needs. This is separate from the medical leave and would give workers flexibility to attend school events, sports, or handle other family responsibilities without losing their job.