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H 4454

An Act establishing a sick leave bank for John C. Murphy

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kathy LaNatra

Create a sick leave bank for John C. Murphy funded by DOC staff donations; unused days go to the extended illness leave bank if Murphy leaves or the bank ends.

Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · H 4454

Summary of H.4454: An Act Establishing a Sick Leave Bank for John C. Murphy

Overview

H.4454, introduced August 11, 2025 (House Docket No. 5021), would, as an emergency measure, require the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) to establish a sick leave bank specifically for John C. Murphy, an employee of the department. The bill permits DOC employees to donate sick, personal, or vacation days to Murphy’s leave bank. It redirects any remaining balance in Murphy’s bank to the department’s extended illness leave bank if Murphy leaves employment or if the bank is dissolved. The bill asserts emergency status to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a dedicated sick leave bank for a named DOC employee (John C. Murphy) to address a significant illness or disability.
  • Allow voluntary contributions from DOC employees to support Murphy’s absence-related needs.
  • Provide a mechanism to on dissolution or termination to preserve donations by transferring remaining days to the extended illness leave bank.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment: The DOC shall establish a sick leave bank for John C. Murphy.
  • Contributions: Any DOC employee may voluntarily contribute 1 or more days of sick, personal, or vacation leave to Murphy’s bank.
  • Dissolution/Termination: If Murphy terminates employment or requests dissolution of the bank, any remaining days in the sick leave bank shall be transferred to the DOC’s extended illness leave bank.
  • Use of Bank: Sick leave bank days may be used solely for absences related to the illness or disability that necessitated the establishment of the bank, as determined by the Department.
  • Supersession of Law: The act states “Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary,” indicating it overrides existing rules to implement this specific bank.

Administration and Impact

  • Administration: The DOC is tasked with establishing and administering the sick leave bank for Murphy.
  • Eligibility: All DOC employees may participate as donors; Murphy is the beneficiary.
  • Impact on Leave Pools: Leaves remaining in Murphy’s bank would join the extended illness leave bank if the bank is dissolved or Murphy leaves, affecting how future illness-related absences are covered within the department.
  • Scope: The act targets a single employee rather than creating a broad, general sick leave bank for all employees.

Affected Parties

  • Primary beneficiary: John C. Murphy, DOC employee.
  • Donor pool: All Department of Correction employees eligible to contribute leave days.
  • Administrative staff: DOC personnel responsible for administering the sick leave bank and verifying illness/disability-related use.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Filed: August 7, 2025; Introduced August 11, 2025.
  • Legislative actions shown include committee consideration and sequential readings, with a path through House and potential Senate action.
  • Notable status: As of September 15, 2025, the bill had “Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading,” indicating movement toward final passage. Earlier actions include favorable committee report and referrals.

Related Information

  • Related Bill: HD 5021 (noted as replacing in provided materials).
  • The bill designates itself as an emergency law for immediate effect upon enactment.

This summary presents the bill’s core purpose, mechanisms for donor and beneficiary participation, and the procedural pathway through the Legislature, focusing on the substantive changes proposed to sick leave administration within the Department of Correction.

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

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