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HD 360

An Act relative to employee leave of absence to appear in the Probate and Family Court

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adrianne Ramos

Massachusetts bill requires employers to grant employees leave for Probate and Family Court appearances, protecting them from job retaliation during legal proceedings.

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Bill Summary · HD 360

Legislative bill overview

HD 360 creates a legal right for employees to take paid or unpaid leave from work to appear in Probate and Family Court proceedings. The bill protects employees from retaliation or adverse employment action when they need time off for court appearances related to family law matters such as custody, divorce, or guardianship cases.

Why is this important

Many employees cannot afford to lose income or risk their jobs when facing family law disputes that require court attendance. Without explicit legal protection, workers may face termination, demotion, or reduced hours for missing work to handle critical legal proceedings. This bill removes the conflict between employment obligations and access to the judicial system, particularly benefiting lower-wage workers and vulnerable populations involved in custody disputes.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer burden: Businesses, especially small employers, may argue that court leave requirements create operational challenges and scheduling difficulties without advance notice
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill may lack clear definitions about which court appearances qualify, how much notice employees must provide, and whether leave is truly unlimited
  • Paid vs. unpaid designation: Disagreement may exist over whether employers should bear the cost of paid leave versus allowing only unpaid leave, affecting small business compliance

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

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