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H 2146

An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill mandating paid leave, job protection, and workplace accommodations for all domestic violence victims to ensure consistent safety and legal access statewide.

Accompanied a study order, see H5370 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2146

Legislative bill overview

H 2146 extends domestic violence workplace protections to all Massachusetts employees by establishing statutory rights to paid leave, job protection, and reasonable accommodations for victims of domestic violence. The bill standardizes protections that currently exist in various forms across different employment contexts, creating a comprehensive framework applicable uniformly across the Commonwealth.

Why is this important

Domestic violence affects workplace productivity, employee safety, and economic stability for victims. Without explicit statutory protections, employees may fear job loss when seeking help, remaining in dangerous situations. Standardizing these protections ensures consistent access to leave for legal proceedings, safety planning, and medical care regardless of employer size or industry.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Employers, particularly small businesses, may face administrative burden implementing tracking systems, verification procedures, and accommodation processes across their workforce
  • Definitional scope and abuse of benefits: Questions remain about what constitutes qualifying domestic violence, how employers verify claims while protecting privacy, and prevention of misuse of protected leave provisions
  • Interaction with existing leave laws: Potential overlap or conflict with FMLA, paid medical leave, sick leave, and other Massachusetts leave statutes could create confusion about which law applies and how leaves run concurrently

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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