The House took up H.R. 2, The Family and Medical Leave Act. This bill would require companies with more than 50 workers to guarantee up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to parents of newborn or newly adopted children, or those who stay at home to care for an ailing family member. The measure also requires employers to continue health benefits while the employee is away on leave. Following general debate, the House considered a substitute amendment requiring leave only to employees who worked an average of 25 hours per week during the past year. The amendment would also require employees to provide 30 days advance notice in cases of foreseeable leave, and would permit employers to recoup health premiums paid on behalf of employees who do not return from leave. The language contained in the substitute amendment is identical to that in the Senate-passed bill.