04/07/2026
Today on what is Blake’s 22nd birthday, we are thrilled to announce the introduction of a bill designed to expand FMLA coverage to include the loss of a child. We will continue to push for the adoption of measures to support families through their grief. Thank you to everyone for their continued support of Blake Gives Back. 🧡
SCHNEIDER REINTRODUCES BILL EXPANDING FMLA TO COVER LOSS OF A CHILD
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL, April 6, 2026- – Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), along with Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Don Beyer (VA-08) and Sean Casten (IL-06), introduced the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act, a bill to ensure that parents who have lost a child are entitled to 12 weeks of bereavement leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Currently, FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain life events, such as birth or adoption, a serious health condition, or to care for an immediate family member. During this leave, an employer cannot terminate an employee who qualifies for such leave. However, there are no such protections for parents grieving the loss of a child.
The Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act would amend the FMLA to add “death of a son or daughter” to the list of eligible life events for unpaid leave and allow parents the time to grieve without the fear of losing their jobs. The bill is named in memory of Sarah Grace Weippert, Noah and Katie Farley, Erica Kluger, and Blake Barklage, whose parents have worked tirelessly to ensure other grieving parents who have lost a child are afforded the time to heal in the face of unimaginable loss.
“The death of a child is an unthinkable loss. Grieving parents should not have to worry about their job stability during such a terrible time,” said Rep. Schneider (D-IL). “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, commonsense legislation to update to the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure parents can take the time off they need to grieve and heal. By guaranteeing unpaid bereavement leave, we can give grieving parents some peace of mind. The families after whom this bill is named have turned their tragic loss into advocacy on behalf of other families experiencing the same loss and I’m inspired by their strength.”
“After the tragic loss of their beloved 17-year-old son, Blake, the Barklage family of Doylestown chose to turn unimaginable grief into advocacy so that other parents facing the loss of a child are met with greater understanding and support. After meeting with them and learning more about Blake’s life and the legacy they are building in his honor, I knew we had a responsibility to help carry that mission forward. No mother or father should be expected to return to work while carrying the heartbreak of losing a child and added fear of losing a paycheck,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA). “The Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act will help ensure grieving parents have protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act so they have the time and security to mourn. This is not just about policy—it is about affirming a basic standard of compassion, dignity, and humanity for families in our community and across the nation facing the unthinkable.”
“Losing a child is a parent’s worst heartbreak, and they deserve protected time off from work to grieve,” said Rep. Beyer (D-VA). “Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act to include parental bereavement is a simple but necessary act to help parents who are already dealing with a tragedy.”
“The loss of a child is unbearable,” said Rep. Casten (D-IL). “Any parent enduring such heartbreak deserves the time and space to grieve and heal. I’m honored to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to ensure parents have support during such a profound loss.”
“On behalf of grieving parents, and in memory of Noah and Katie Farley, Erica Kluger, Sarah Grace Weippert, and Blake Barklage, we thank the sponsors of this bill for their compassion and common-sense approach to American workers who suffer the loss of a child," said Kelly Farley and Barry Kluger, authors of the 2011 Farley-Kluger Initiative. “The introduction coincides with the 25th anniversary of Erica’s passing and the birthday of Blake Barklage who passed five years ago. This legislation will enable those who suffer this tragedy to take the time necessary to deal with this loss and be productive colleagues and employees, not to mention stronger family members."
“We are deeply grateful to see Blake’s memory honored through the addition of ‘Barklage’ to the Sarah Grace-Farley Kluger Bereavement Leave Act. As a family, we have tried to turn unimaginable loss into something that can help others, and this work is deeply personal to us,” said Tom, Alison, and Alexis Barklage. “No parent should be expected to return to work just days after losing a child. Grief is profound, lasting, and life-changing—it cannot be contained within a few days of leave. Expanding FMLA to provide meaningful bereavement leave is an important step in supporting families in their darkest moments. Keeping Blake’s memory alive through this work means everything—and knowing it may help other families brings purpose to our loss.”
