Bill > S2446

This bill establishes a family and medical leave and temporary disability leave insurance program, creating a new chapter in the General Laws to govern these benefits. The program will be administered by a new Department of Family and Medical Leave, overseen by a Director, and funded through a Family and Employment Security Trust Fund, which will receive contributions from employers and employees. Employees will be eligible for leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to bond with a new child, or for their own serious health condition that prevents them from working. Benefits will be paid as a weekly amount, calculated as a percentage of the employee's average weekly wage, with a maximum weekly benefit. The bill also outlines provisions for notice requirements, certification of leave, employer responsibilities for posting information and providing notice to employees, and protections against retaliation for employees exercising their rights under the program. Certain sections of the bill will take effect on January 1, 2018, January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2020, respectively.