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S 1352

Authorizes the creation of state debt in creating the save public housing bond act of 2025 and provides for submission to the people of such proposal

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 1 co-sponsor

Expands MA Paid Family and Medical Leave to firms with 50% or more non-employee workers and to contract workers, making them subject to contributions and eligible for benefits.

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Bill Summary · S 1352

Summary — S.1352 (2025)

An Act to amend definitions in the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave law so that certain businesses that rely largely on non‑employee contractors and certain contract workers are brought within the statute’s coverage and contribution framework.

Purpose and intent

The bill clarifies and broadens who counts as a “covered business entity” and who qualifies as a “covered contract worker” under chapter 175M (Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave). The change is intended to ensure that businesses whose workforce is primarily composed of contractors and the contract workers themselves are treated consistently for purposes of eligibility and contribution obligations to the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 1 of chapter 175M by replacing the definition of:
    • “Covered business entity” — defined as a business or trade “whose workforce is comprised of 50 per cent or more individuals that it contracts with or receives services from who are not employees under the test set forth in section 2 of chapter 151A of the General Laws.”
    • “Covered contract worker” — defined as an individual who is not an employee under the test in section 2 of chapter 151A and for whom an employer or covered business entity is required to remit contributions to the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund pursuant to section 6.

Who would be affected

  • Businesses that contract with independent contractors or other non‑employees: if 50% or more of their workforce consists of such non‑employees (per the chapter 151A employee‑status test), they become “covered business entities.”
  • Independent contractors/contract workers: if they are not employees per chapter 151A but trigger an obligation for an employer or covered business entity to remit contributions under section 6, they become “covered contract workers” for paid leave purposes.
  • Payroll, human resources, and compliance functions: may need to reclassify workforce counts, adjust contribution remittance, and update benefit eligibility determinations.

Legal references

  • Amends: Section 1, chapter 175M (Massachusetts General Laws).
  • Relies on employee‑status test in: Section 2, chapter 151A.
  • Ties coverage to contribution obligations under: Section 6 (Family and Employment Security Trust Fund).

Procedural status (selected)

  • Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate: 04/08/2025 (filed 01/15/2025 as Senate Docket No. 1178 / S.1352).
  • Referred to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; subsequently to Labor and Workforce Development.
  • Hearing scheduled: 07/15/2025 (B‑2).
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways and Means: 10/02/2025.
  • Petitioners listed: Senator Jason M. Lewis (primary petitioner), with Patrick M. O'Connor and William J. Driscoll, Jr.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would expand the statute’s reach to certain contractor‑heavy businesses and to contract workers who are already subject to Trust Fund contribution remittance, creating greater clarity about who is covered and who must contribute and potentially extending paid leave benefits to more non‑employee workers.

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

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