HF 2266: Providing for family medical leave for grandparents and providing penalties and remedies

What it does

This bill provides that an employee who is a grandparent shall have the same rights provided to an employee under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (the Act). The bill provides that an employer of such an employee shall be subject to the same requirements as an employer under the Act. “Employee” and “employer” mean the same as defined in the Act. The bill provides for modification of such rights. The modifications include that an employee is entitled to leave for the birth of a grandchild and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth; to care for the employee’s grandchild who has a serious health condition; for any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s grandchild is a covered military member on covered active duty; and to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the service member’s grandparent.

Lobbying · 3 for, 1 against

For: AFSCME Council 61; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; United Professionals/UE

Against: VALOR Iowa

In plain words

1. February 3, 2026Filed in the House and sent to the Labor and Workforce committee