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HD 452

An Act relative to bereavement leave

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Donato and 1 co-sponsor

Provides up to 10 business days of bereavement leave per year for eligible employees to grieve or handle arrangements after a family member’s death.

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Bill Summary · HD 452

HD 452 — An Act relative to bereavement leave

Overview

HD 452 proposes to add a new provision to Chapter 149 of the General Laws establishing a statutory right to bereavement leave for employees in Massachusetts. The act would apply to most employers (with an exception for very small employers) and would allow eligible employees to take time off to grieve, attend funerals, or handle arrangements following a family member’s death.

Key Provisions

  • Build: Adds Section 52F to Chapter 149.
  • Definition:
    • Bereavement: Leave from employment to grieve or make arrangements necessitated by the death of a family member.
    • Family member: Child, parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, or a person in a substantive dating or engagement relationship with the employee who resides with the employee.
  • Leave entitlement:
    • Up to 10 business days of bereavement leave per 12-month period.
    • The leave can be used consecutively or non-consecutively.
    • Purposes include making arrangements (funeral, estate, legal), attending funeral or equivalent ceremony, or grieving.
  • Timing:
    • Leave must be initiated within 30 days of notice of the death.
  • Employer discretion:
    • Employers may decide whether bereavement leave is paid or unpaid.
  • Relationship to other laws:
    • The provision does not diminish rights under bargaining agreements, company policies, or other laws that provide greater protections.
  • Documentation:
    • Employers may require documentation, with acceptable forms including obituary, funeral program, police report, death certificate, or a document from a mental health professional.
  • Exemption:
    • Employers with fewer than 25 employees in Massachusetts are not required to comply with this section.

Effective Date

  • The act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Who Is Affected

  • Employees: Individuals who have a qualifying family member and work for covered employers would gain up to 10 days of bereavement leave per year.
  • Employers: Those with 25 or more employees would need to provide the leave (paid or unpaid at the employer’s discretion) and handle related documentation and scheduling.
  • Small employers: Exempt from the requirement if employing fewer than 25 workers.

Potential Impact

  • Improves time off for bereavement and related arrangements for a broader set of relationships (including a cohabiting, engaged/dating partner).
  • Operational considerations for employers, including scheduling and payroll (if paid).
  • Financial impact limited to non-small employers; compliance costs include potential administrative processes for documentation and recordkeeping.

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

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