The Family Medical Leave applies to the care of the following family members when they have a serious health condition:

 • your parent,
 • your child, or
 • your spouse

The FMLA definition of parent includes anyone who is a biological or adoptive parent, or who acted as your parent when you were a child. The definition does not include in-laws. Your spouse may be eligible to take leave to take care of his or her own parents, but you cannot take FMLA leave even if your spouse is not eligible for FMLA leave or is the family's highest wage-earner.

The FMLA definition of child includes a biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, or a child of a person standing in a parental capacity, who is either under age 18 or an adult child who is incapable of caring for himself or herself.

The FMLA definition of spouse includes a husband or wife as defined or recognized under state law for purposes of marriage in the State the marriage was entered into. , including common law marriage in states where it is recognized, and same sex marriages The federal law does not include in the definition of spouse an unmarried partner, domestic partner, or common law spouse in states where common law marriages are not recognized.

If you would like to request leave under this provision, please complete a Request for Medical Leave Form and the Family Member Care Medical Form and fax it to the Human Resources Leave and Accommodations Analyst at 253-841-8650.