There is ongoing strong employment law activity in Congress.  The House of Representatives has approved and pushed on to the Senate the Wounded Veteran Job Security Act (H.R. 466), which prohibits acts of discrimination and retaliation against an employee absent from work to get medical treatment for a service-related disability, injury or illness. 

Iowa Senator Tom Hurkan has announced he is in talks to move forward this summer with some kind of compromise version of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).  The original, stalled version of the bill would allow union organizing via signatures on card rather than secret ballot. 

A new Senate proposal (S. 1025) would prevent employers from disciplining or firing volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel when they miss work responding to emergencies for up to 14 days per year. 

The House Domestic Violence Leave Act (H.R. 2515) would extend the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to apply to domestic partners and permit leave to address acts of domestic violence and stalking. 

The Freedom from Union Violence Act (H.R. 2537) would impose fines and prison time on anyone committing an act of violence during a labor dispute. 

Finally, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (H.R. 2819 and S. 1244) would make breastfeeding a protected class and require large employers to provide time and privacy for lactation.  Wow!  If you have read the last few updates, you have noticed similar long lists of other possible employment law bills.  Congress is more active in the world of HR law right now than in recent memory.