Labor & Employment (Paid Leave)

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 29, 2026

H 5429: An Act providing injured on duty compensation to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinale

This bill grants injured Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinale paid leave without loss of salary, effective retroactively to April 7, 2026, for the time he is unable to work due to injuries sustained on that date. The legislation ensures he does not have to waive his rights to workers' compensation benefits, though any leave pay received will be reduced by the amount of workers' compensation he collects. If his injuries are permanent, the bill allows him to apply for accidental disability retirement with a specific pension amount and provides continued benefits to his surviving spouse if he dies before age 65. Additionally, the state agrees to reimburse the town of Chelmsford for all costs related to his medical treatment and injury leave.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides paid leave and salary protection for an injured firefighter, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 5302: An Act helping employees after a relative’s tragedy

This bill establishes a new bereavement leave policy for employees in the Commonwealth, allowing workers to take up to 10 business days of paid leave when a family member dies. The law defines family members broadly to include children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, and others with significant personal bonds, and permits leave to be used for funeral arrangements, attending services, or grieving. Employers must pay employees at their regular rate during this leave, maintain their benefits, and restore their position upon return, though businesses with fewer than 25 employees are exempt. The legislation also requires employers to notify staff of these rights and allows for reasonable documentation of the death, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands paid bereavement leave and benefits for employees, strengthening worker protections and supporting employee well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5208: unemployment, workers and other related matters

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development Committee to investigate eight related bills concerning employment, unemployment assistance, and workplace safety. The committee will study issues including e-verify employment verification, paid family leave, hazard pay for essential workers, the structure of the Employment Relations Board, unemployment fraud prevention, online benefits portal improvements, and job site safety regulations. The committee must complete its investigation and submit findings with legislative recommendations by December 31, 2026. This procedural measure does not enact new laws but directs a study to inform potential future legislation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill authorizes investigation into employment, unemployment assistance, and workplace safety improvements including paid family leave and hazard pay, indicating support for worker protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave Unemployment

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 4901: An Act enabling employees on unpaid leave to purchase creditable service

This bill allows public employees who took unpaid parental leave (for birth or adoption) exceeding one month to count that time toward their retirement benefits by making payments. Employees can pay the retirement system the equivalent of what they would have contributed during the leave period, plus interest, either as a lump sum or in installments. The buyback is limited to a maximum of two years of unpaid leave and applies only to leave taken for childbirth or adoption. This directly affects public sector workers on extended parental leave who wish to maintain full retirement credit for that time.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows employees to count unpaid parental leave toward retirement benefits, expanding worker benefits and protecting employment rights during leave95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4545: An Act relative to PFML for bone marrow and organ donation

By Representative Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Richard M. Haggerty for legislation to include bone marrow and organ donation in the paid family and medical leave program. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands PFML coverage to include organ/bone marrow donation, enhancing access to medical leave for critical health procedures.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid family and medical leave to cover bone marrow/organ donation, increasing worker benefits and protections under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

H 1180: An Act ensuring life insurance coverage while taking Paid Family and Medical Leave

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1180) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to life insurance coverage while taking Paid Family and Medical Leave. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures life insurance coverage during Paid Family and Medical Leave, protecting workers' benefits during leave periods.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 747: An Act relative to access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 747) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to allow for graduate student workers to have access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides paid leave/unemployment insurance for graduate student workers in higher education, directly supporting educational workforce access and stability.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill grants graduate workers access to medical leave, improving healthcare access by enabling time off for medical needs without income loss.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly grants graduate student workers access to paid family/medical leave and unemployment insurance, expanding worker benefits and protections in labor/employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 2125: An Act to provide paid family and medical leave to all educators

By Representative Howard of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2125) of Vanna Howard and others relative to paid family and medical leave for educators. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides paid medical leave for educators, enabling access to healthcare services during illness, aligning with improved patient access indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid family and medical leave to educators, expanding worker benefits and strengthening employment standards under Labor and Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 2946: An Act enabling employees on unpaid parental leave to purchase creditable service

By Representative Reid of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2946) of Sean Reid relative to enabling employees on unpaid parental leave to purchase creditable service. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables employees on unpaid parental leave to purchase creditable service, maintaining retirement benefits during leave and expanding worker benefits during employment disruptions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 2152: An Act extending parental leave

By Representative Nguyen of Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2152) of Tram T. Nguyen relative to parental leave under the family and medical leave program. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends parental leave under family and medical leave program, expanding worker benefits and supporting employment standards per Labor and Workforce Development subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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