Before the new definition of spouse for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) purposes could take effect, a federal judge in Texas issued an injunction against its enforcement, but the Department of Labor has now announced that it will honor that injunction only in the four states whose lawsuit led to the order.

Those four states are Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Nebraska.

The new definition of spouse recognizes same-sex couples regardless of the state in which they live for purposes of FMLA leave rights.


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