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Bill

H 1336

An Act relative to access to Paid Family and Medical Leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly and 7 co-sponsors

Expands Massachusetts paid family/medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers currently excluded from these employee protections.

Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting (under the last sentence of Rule 7A) for a second reading
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Bill Summary · H 1336

Legislative bill overview

H 1336 extends Massachusetts' Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program and unemployment insurance eligibility to graduate student workers, who are currently excluded from these protections. The bill recognizes graduate assistants and teaching/research fellows as covered workers entitled to paid leave for family care, medical conditions, and qualifying life events, as well as unemployment benefits during periods without work.

Why is this important

Graduate students often work as teaching assistants, research assistants, or fellows while pursuing degrees, yet lack access to standard worker protections available to other employees. This creates financial vulnerability during medical emergencies, childbirth, or caregiving situations. The bill addresses a coverage gap affecting thousands of workers in Massachusetts' higher education system.

Potential points of contention

  • University budget impact: Institutions may face increased payroll costs and administrative burdens to comply with PFML contributions and unemployment insurance requirements for graduate student positions
  • Definition and classification disputes: Questions remain about which graduate student positions qualify (funded vs. unfunded, research-only vs. instructional roles) and how to treat stipends versus wages for benefit calculation purposes
  • Labor market effects: Concerns that expanded benefits could increase university operating costs, potentially affecting graduate student funding levels, hiring, or tuition structures
  • Implementation complexity: Universities and the state unemployment system must establish new administrative systems to track graduate student wages and process benefits claims across multiple institutions

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

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