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H 4427

An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Ankita Gajendra Patel, an employee of the Department of Corrections

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Roy

Massachusetts authorizes a custom sick leave bank for one Department of Corrections employee to use colleague donations during an extended absence or medical situation.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2025
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Bill Summary · H 4427

Legislative bill overview

H 4427 is a special act that establishes a sick leave bank exclusively for Ankita Gajendra Patel, an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. The bill allows this individual employee to accumulate and use donated sick leave beyond normal departmental limits, and was signed into law in September 2025.

Why is this important

Special leave bank acts are typically enacted when an employee faces a serious medical condition or personal crisis requiring extended time away from work. This legislation allows Ms. Patel to access pooled sick leave donations from colleagues, potentially preserving her employment and income during a prolonged health situation without exhausting her personal leave balance.

Potential points of contention

  • Precedent and equity concerns: Creating individualized sick leave legislation for one employee may raise questions about fairness to other state employees facing similar hardships who lack legislative recourse
  • Private vs. public process: This remedy required special legislation rather than being available through standard departmental or union procedures, suggesting potential gaps in existing leave policies
  • Limited transparency: The bill provides minimal detail on the specific circumstances necessitating this accommodation or how many colleagues' donated leave will be involved

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

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