Bill > S1375

This bill proposes changes to Section 9 of Chapter 175M of the General Laws, which appears to relate to employee leave protections. Specifically, the bill makes three key modifications: First, it reduces the protected leave period from 6 months to 3 months, potentially limiting the duration of time an employee is safeguarded from adverse employment actions. Second, it removes the word "presumed" from the existing language, which seems to alter how potential retaliation claims are evaluated. Third, and most significantly, the bill eliminates a provision that previously required employers to provide "clear and convincing evidence" that any employment action was not retaliatory and would have occurred regardless of an employee's use of leave or participation in related proceedings. By removing this language, the bill appears to give employers more latitude in making employment decisions and potentially makes it easier for them to take action against employees who have used protected leave. The overall intent seems to be preserving employer autonomy by reducing legal constraints around employee leave protections.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1375