Bill > H2189

This bill establishes new provisions for bereavement leave in Massachusetts, requiring employers to permit employees to take up to 10 business days of leave within a 12-month period following the death of a family member, which is defined broadly to include children, parents, guardians, siblings, spouses, and persons in substantive dating or engagement relationships who reside with the employee. The leave can be used for making funeral or legal arrangements, attending funeral services, or grieving, and must be initiated within 30 days of receiving notice of the family member's death. Employers have sole discretion in determining whether the leave is paid or unpaid, and they may request documentation from employees such as an obituary, death certificate, or other proof of relationship. Importantly, the law only applies to employers with 25 or more employees in Massachusetts, and it will not affect existing collective bargaining agreements or other leave policies that may provide more generous benefits. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, giving employers ample time to prepare for its implementation.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2189