An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, an employee of the trial court

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Becca Rausch

Establish a dedicated sick leave bank for Shannon Manning at the Milford district court, funded by voluntary donor hours, for illness-related absences only.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 123 of the Acts of 2026

Summary of Bill: S 2908 (Session 194th) – An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, an employee of the trial court

Purpose and intent

The bill directs the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish a dedicated sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, an employee of the Milford district court within the Trial Court Department.

The aim is to provide a pool of sick, personal, or vacation days that Shannon Manning can draw from in cases of illness or disability beyond her own available leave.

Key provisions and changes

Establishment of a sick leave bank: The Milford district court (Trial Court Department) is required to establish a sick leave bank specifically for Shannon Manning.

Voluntary contributions: Any employee within the Trial Court Department may voluntarily contribute one or more days of sick, personal, or vacation leave to the sick leave bank to benefit Shannon Manning.

Use of banked days: Days from the sick leave bank may be used by Shannon Manning to cover absences related to illness or disability that initially necessitated the creation of the bank, as determined by the trial court.

Non-qualifying absences: Sick leave bank days may not be used for absences unrelated to the illness or disability that led to the creation of the bank.

Transfer on termination or dissolution: If Shannon Manning terminates employment or requests dissolution of the sick leave bank, any remaining time in the bank shall be transferred to the extended illness leave bank (a separate pool within the system).

Affected persons and entities

Primary beneficiary: Shannon Manning, an employee of the Milford district court (Trial Court Department).

Donors: Other Trial Court Department employees may voluntarily donate days to the sick leave bank.

Oversight: The trial court governs the eligibility, administration, and permissible use of banked days, including determining related illness or disability.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative history indicates the bill progressed through committee and floor actions in early 2026, with various readings, suspensions, and amendments prior to final passage.

Specific text indicates this is a targeted, one-person sick leave bank rather than a broad, department-wide policy change.

The bill’s effective date is not explicitly stated in the text provided; implementation would follow enactment and any administrative regulations or internal trial court policies established to operationalize the bank.

Considerations and potential impact

Supporters may emphasize enhanced job security for Shannon Manning during illness or disability.

Potential broader implications include precedent for other trial court employees seeking similar sick leave banks in the future, should the policy be modeled or expanded.

Financial and administrative implications: The bank relies on voluntary contributions; management would require clear guidelines on eligibility, verification of illness/disability, and mechanisms for transferring remaining days to the extended illness leave bank if dissolution occurs.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s stated provisions as of the presented text and action history up to early 2026.