# Federal Register #2026-21104

OPM Revises FMLA Regulations for Federal Employees

**Buyer:** Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
**Posted:** October 15, 2026
**Respond By:** November 17, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-21104

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is revising FMLA regulations for Federal employees to align them with statutory amendments.
- **Government buyer:** Office of Personnel Management (OPM); no specific sub-agency or office is identified.
- **Regulatory changes:**
  - Recognizes qualifying Federal civilian service and certain honorable active military service for FMLA eligibility.
  - Clarifies that annual and sick leave available under authorities outside title 5 may be substituted for unpaid FMLA leave.
  - Excludes certain Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees covered by a separate leave system from title 5 FMLA coverage.
  - Also affects eligibility for paid parental leave.
- **Procurement status:** This is a regulatory rulemaking, not a procurement opportunity. No OEMs, vendors, products, or services are identified.

### Description

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing a direct final rule making technical revisions to its Family and Medical Leave Act regulations to incorporate statutory amendments. The revisions address qualifying Federal civilian and certain honorable active military service for FMLA eligibility, substitution of certain annual and sick leave for unpaid FMLA leave, and exclusion of certain Veterans Health Administration employees from title 5 FMLA coverage. The rule is effective December 14, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by November 16, 2026. This is a regulatory rulemaking, not a procurement opportunity.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/15/2026-21104/family-and-medical-leave-act)