Bill > H3276

This bill establishes paid parental leave for public employees in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. Eligible public employees can take up to 12 weeks of parental leave within a 12-month period to care for a newborn or newly adopted/fostered child. The leave can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. 2. Employees on parental leave will receive 60% of their weekly wages, up to a maximum of $1,000 per week. This weekly benefit amount will be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. 3. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their right to parental leave or participating in related proceedings. Any negative changes to an employee's job status or benefits within 6 months of taking leave or participating in proceedings are presumed to be retaliation. 4. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the parental leave provisions, and procedures under the state's employment discrimination law apply. 5. The bill allows counties, cities, towns, and other local government entities to adopt the parental leave provisions to extend the benefits to their own employees. 6. Amounts received by individuals for parental leave under this law are exempt from state income tax.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H3276