NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Mayor Barry Signs Family Leave Bill

Mayor Marion Barry signed into law a measure requiring businesses with at least 50 employees to provide up to four months of unpaid leave for workers seeking time off to care for ill family members, including gay partners. The legislation is regarded as the broadest of its kind in the country and would cover workers who want leave to care for a “family member,” including newborns, ill relatives or partners in “committed relationships.” Federal workers are not covered. It also would provide the same leave for an employee unable to work because of serious illness.