Massachusetts Expands Earned Sick Time to Include Reproductive Loss Events

Effective November 21, 2024, Massachusetts Earned Sick Time law includes reproductive loss events as eligible reasons for leave. Massachusetts Governor, Marua Healey, signed the amendment to into law in August 2024.  

What is the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law?

Massachusetts Earned Sick Time law requires employers with 11 or more employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time each year. Employers with less than 11 employees must provide unpaid time off. Under the new amendment, the employee may take time off to handle physical and mental health needs if the employee or the employee’s spouse experiences the following: 

• Pregnancy loss 
• Failed assisted reproduction
• Failed adoption 
• Failed surrogacy 

This change is part of a growing trend across the country in providing additional benefits related to pregnancy and reproductive loss.

What other states have reproductive loss leave?

• California requires employers with five or more employees to provide up to five days of leave for reproductive loss reasons. 
• Colorado’s paid sick leave law includes pregnancy loss as an eligible reason for leave. 
• Illinois passed a bereavement leave law that allows employees to take time off for reproductive-related reasons similar to Massachusetts law. 
• New York has passed a paid prenatal leave law for employees which will take effect in 2025. 

Conclusion

Employers with employees in Massachusetts should review and update their policies and procedures regarding earned sick time to ensure they are following this new amendment.  

For employers looking for assistance with navigating the complexities of paid leave law compliance, GovDocs Paid Leave product provides the information you need to ensure you have the most up-to-date paid leave requirements to keep you in compliance.