(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) introduced legislation to protect family members of America's wounded warriors from being fired or otherwise discriminated against in the workplace for taking time off to care for their loved ones.  The Military Family Job Protection Act (H.R. 3993), companion legislation to a bill introduced earlier this year by Senator Barack Obama (IL), provides for up to a full year of job protection for family members who are caring for a service member recovering from an injury incurred while on active duty.

"Our brave men and women in uniform are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with alarming rates of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and severe combat-related wounds.  In many cases, our wounded warriors will take months, if not years, to heal.  While they rehabilitate, they deserve to have access to the best support system available to their families," said Congressman Altmire.

Current law provides employees with only 12 covered weeks of leave per year to care for wounded family members.  The Military Family Job Protection Act would provide eligible family members with job- and benefit-protected leave of up to 52 weeks.  The measure would specifically prohibit an employer from discriminating against employees for taking this time off to care for a recovering service member.

The Military Family Job Protection Act is another step by Congressman Altmire to assist service members and their families.  Congressman Altmire passed legislation in the House to ensure the proper screening and treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), passed a floor amendment to allow family members of service members to use Family Medical and Leave Act time to address issues arising from deployments, and introduced legislation to provide tax relief to active duty service members.