An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim O'Day

Establishes a Dana Johnson–only sick leave bank at DCF funded by voluntary employee contributions, usable only for her illness/disability.

Senate concurred

Summary: HD 4541 – An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson

Overview

HD 4541, titled “An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson,” was introduced in the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court. The bill is designated as an emergency measure and would immediately require the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson, an employee of DCF. The bill has moved through the legislative process and the Senate has concurred with the House version as of mid-April 2025.

Purpose and intent

Create a dedicated sick leave bank for a single DCF employee (Dana Johnson) to address a serious illness or disability.

Allow DCF coworkers to voluntarily contribute leave time to support Johnson during her illness.

Ensure any remaining banked leave is managed within the department’s broader leave framework if the employee leaves or the bank is dissolved.

Key provisions

Establishment authority: The DCF shall establish a sick leave bank specifically for Dana Johnson.

Voluntary contributions: Any DCF employee may voluntarily contribute one or more days of sick, personal, or vacation leave to the bank for Dana Johnson’s use.

Use of banked days: Banked days may be used only for absences related to the illness or disability that necessitated the creation of the bank, as determined by the Department.

Dissolution/termination: If Dana Johnson terminates employment or requests dissolution of the sick leave bank, any remaining days in the bank shall be transferred to the department’s extended illness leave bank.

Limitations on use: Banked days cannot be used for absences unrelated to the specified illness or disability.

Administration: The bill directs the Department of Children and Families to administer the sick leave bank.

Eligibility and impact

Affected individual: Dana Johnson, an employee of the Department of Children and Families.

Contributing employees: All DCF employees may voluntarily contribute leave days; contributions are optional.

Impact on Dana Johnson: Provides a pool of paid leave to cover authorized absences related to her illness/disability, potentially preserving other forms of paid leave or income during medical need.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status and actions:

Filed: April 3, 2025
Referred to House Rules: April 7, 2025
Reported/referred to Joint Rules and rules suspended; referred to Public Service: April 14, 2025
Senate concurred: April 17, 2025

Effective date: The bill is framed as an emergency law to take effect immediately upon enactment, with the explicit purpose of an “immediate preservation of the public convenience.”

Fiscal and administrative considerations

Funding: The bill creates a voluntary leave pool funded by employee contributions; no direct appropriation or general fund cost is specified.

Oversight: Administration rests with DCF; specifics on governance (e.g., selection of administrator, record-keeping) are not detailed beyond department responsibility.

Bottom line

HD 4541 would immediately establish a Dana Johnson–specific sick leave bank at DCF, funded by voluntary employee contributions, with use restricted to her illness/disability and with remaining time redirected to the department’s extended illness leave bank if the bank is dissolved. The measure is crafted as an emergency law and has progressed through the House and Senate as of April 2025.