An Act helping employees after a relative’s tragedy
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill establishes bereavement leave for employees in Massachusetts. It defines ‘bereavement leave’ as time off to make arrangements or grieve following the death of a family member, which is broadly defined to include close personal relationships. Employees are entitled to up to 10 business days of paid bereavement leave per year, with some exceptions for child loss. Employers can require documentation of the death, and smaller employers are exempt from certain provisions.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘bereavement leave,’ ‘family member,’ ‘employee,’ and ‘employer’ for the purpose of the law.
- Provides up to 10 days of paid bereavement leave per calendar year.
- Allows for consecutive or intermittent leave.
- Extends leave time to 12 months for the death of a child.
- Requires employers to notify employees of their rights.
- Allows employers to request documentation of the death.
- Exempts employers with fewer than 25 employees from certain provisions.
- Ensures restoration to a previous position or an equivalent one.
Who is affected
- Employees in Massachusetts
- Employers in Massachusetts
- Families of deceased relatives
Notable changes
- Creates a specific bereavement leave entitlement.
- Broadly defines ‘family member’ to include close personal relationships.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
31 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Cosponsors
Carmine Lawrence Gentile
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