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HD 4794

An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Esther Odufuwa an employee of the department of mental health

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carole Fiola

The bill creates a voluntary sick leave bank at DMH exclusively for Esther Odufuwa, funded by donor DMH employees, usable only for her illness/disability.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 4794

Summary of HD 4794: An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Esther Odufuwa, an employee of the Department of Mental Health

Overview

HD 4794 is a proposed Massachusetts statute that would authorize the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to establish a dedicated sick leave bank for Esther Odufuwa, an DMH employee. The bill permits voluntary contributions of sick, personal, or vacation days by DMH employees to this bank, to be used by Esther for illness or disability as determined by DMH. If Esther leaves DMH or requests dissolution of the bank, any remaining bank days would be transferred to the extended illness leave bank. Days from the bank would not be available for absences unrelated to the illness or disability that justified creation of the bank.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a targeted mechanism to support a specific DMH employee (Esther Odufuwa) during illness or disability.
  • Provide a means for DMH employees to voluntarily donate leave to one colleague, supplementing her leave in a structured way.
  • Ensure that any remaining banked days follow a defined transfer path if the bank dissolves or employment ends.

Key Provisions

  • Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, DMH shall establish a sick leave bank for Esther Odufuwa.
  • Any DMH employee may voluntarily contribute 1 or more days of sick, personal, or vacation leave to the sick leave bank for Esther’s use.
  • If Esther terminates employment with DMH or requests to dissolve the sick leave bank, any remaining time in the bank shall be transferred to the extended illness leave bank.
  • Sick leave bank days may be used only for absences related to the illness or disability that prompted the establishment of the bank, as determined by DMH.
  • The bill is a carve-out aimed at a single employee rather than a general DMH policy.

Affected Parties and Effects

  • Primary beneficiary: Esther Odufuwa, DMH employee.
  • Donors: All DMH employees may voluntarily contribute leave days to the bank.
  • DMH administration: Responsible for managing the bank, determining eligibility for use, and handling transfers upon dissolution or termination.
  • Extended illness leave bank: Receives any remaining days if the bank is dissolved or Esther leaves DMH.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: June 5, 2025.
  • House Docket: HD 4794 filed June 4, 2025; House Petition: Fiola (and Rodrigues) filed.
  • 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Rules committee.
  • 2025-06-09: Reported, referred to the Joint Rules committee; rules suspended and referred to the committee on Public Service.
  • 2025-06-12: Senate concurred (approval by Senate on concurrence).
  • Legislative context: Part of the 194th Massachusetts General Court (2025-2026). Classified as a proposed bill.

Notes and Considerations

  • The bill creates a very specific, one-person sick leave bank rather than a broader DMH policy or a district-wide program.
  • The use of “notwithstanding” indicates the bill would override conflicting statutes or policies to implement this targeted bank.
  • No explicit funding or fiscal allocations are stated; the mechanism relies on voluntary donations of leave days.
  • The bill requires DMH to determine use eligibility and to administer the bank consistent with the stated purpose.

This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated actions as of its status in the 2025 sessions.

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

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