S.1440 - Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1440, the Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act, seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to align leave benefits for commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) with those of Army officers under Title 10 of the United States Code. This bill aims to ensure that PHS officers and their beneficiaries receive the same leave rights and privileges as their counterparts in the Army. The bill was introduced in the Senate by Ms. Duckworth and Ms. Murkowski and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to equalize leave benefits between PHS officers and Army officers. This would involve amending Section 221(a) of the Public Health Service Act to include Chapter 40 (Leave) of Title 10, U.S. Code. Additionally, Section 219 of the Public Health Service Act would be repealed to conform with the changes.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Morale: Equalizing benefits can boost the morale of Public Health Service officers.
- Fairness and Equity: Ensures that PHS officers receive the same leave benefits as Army officers for similar service.
- Attract and Retain Talent: More competitive benefits may help attract and retain qualified individuals in the Public Health Service.
- Simplified Administration: Aligning leave policies could simplify administrative processes.
- Support for Families: Enhanced leave provisions can provide better support for the families of PHS officers.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Costs: Implementing the new leave policies may incur some administrative costs.
- Complexity: Aligning different sets of regulations can be complex and may require careful implementation.
- Unintended Consequences: There may be unforeseen consequences or disparities that arise from aligning the two systems.
- Budgetary Impact: Increased utilization of leave could have a minor impact on the PHS budget.
- Possible Resistance: There may be resistance from some stakeholders if they perceive the changes as unnecessary or disruptive.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional principle of providing for the general welfare, as it aims to improve the well-being of Public Health Service officers and their families. While the Constitution does not explicitly address leave policies for uniformed services, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, which can be interpreted to include ensuring fair and equitable treatment of those serving in the Public Health Service. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).