S 747
An Act relative to access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to extend access to paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers in Massachusetts. Currently, graduate student workers are often excluded from these benefits, and this legislation seeks to change that. It would grant these students the same protections afforded to other employees under state law. The bill is currently under consideration by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Key provisions
- Expands eligibility for paid family and medical leave to include graduate student workers.
- Extends eligibility for unemployment insurance to graduate student workers.
- Defines ‘graduate student worker’ for the purposes of these programs.
- Requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to create guidelines for implementation.
- Addresses potential funding mechanisms to support the expanded benefits.
- Clarifies the interaction between these benefits and existing student health insurance programs.
- Specifies the duration of leave and benefits available.
- Establishes a process for graduate student workers to apply for these benefits.
Who is affected
- Graduate student workers
- Massachusetts residents
- The Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- Employers in Massachusetts
- Students
Notable changes
- Currently, graduate student workers are generally ineligible for paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Paul R. Feeney
Cosponsors
Patricia D. Jehlen
Paul R. Feeney
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Bill S.747 194th (Current)
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.
View Text Print Preview Download PDF
Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Paul R. Feeney Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Primary Sponsor Summary
Bill History
Displaying 4 actions for Bill S.747
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Financial Services |
| 2/27/2025 | House | House concurred |
| 10/27/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/04/2025 from 10:30 AM-01:30 PM in A-2 |
| 1/8/2026 | Senate | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means |
Similar Bills
H.2897 194th (Current)
An Act relative to public safety employee death benefits
H.3008 194th (Current)
An Act relative to non-contiguous farm land
H.2750 194th (Current)
An Act relative to retirement benefits for Neal Bryan Martin
H.2962 194th (Current)
An Act relative to the commonwealth's fire departments
H.2627 194th (Current)
An Act to ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.