United States Office of Personnel Management – Handbook on Leave and Workplace Flexibilities for Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care – April, 2015.

“As part of his effort to ensure that all employees have paid time off available for childbirth, adoption and foster care, the President has directed all Federal agencies, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that discretionary benefits are used to the maximum extent practicable, including advancement of sick or annual leave, donated annual leave under the voluntary leave transfer and leave bank programs, and leave without pay. Further, to the extent permitted by law, the President has directed all Federal agencies to (1) offer 240 hours of advanced sick leave, at the request of an employee and in appropriate circumstances, in connection with the birth or adoption of a child or for other sick leave eligible uses, and (2) offer the maximum amount of advanced annual leave, at the request of an employee, for foster care placement in their home or bonding with a healthy newborn or newly adopted child. Agencies have been directed to provide this advanced leave for purposes specified in law and regulation irrespective of existing leave balances. All Federal agencies must update their advanced sick and annual leave policies to be in compliance with the President’s memorandum by no later than Monday, June 15, 2015.”