Bill > H1682

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law, specifically Chapter 151B of the General Laws, to prohibit discrimination based on "family caregiver status" in the workplace. It defines a "family caregiver" as someone providing medical or supervisory care to a family member with a "serious health condition," which is defined as an illness or condition requiring inpatient care or continuing supervision by a healthcare provider. The bill also clarifies that "family member" includes those related by blood, marriage, legal custody, or living in a familial relationship, and defines "affinity" in the context of marriage. Importantly, it introduces the term "Family Responsibilities Discrimination" to describe this type of employment discrimination. The bill applies to employers with 20 or more employees and employees who have worked for at least 12 months and at least 24 hours per week, with an exclusion for employees working for an immediate family member. The core change is the insertion of "family caregiver status" alongside existing protected characteristics like "sex" in sections 3 and 4 of Chapter 151B, meaning employers can no longer discriminate against employees because of their responsibilities as family caregivers.