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H 3490

Paid family leave

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Beth Bernstein and 5 co-sponsors

H.3490 seems to merge two unrelated measures—Massachusetts EV policy tweaks and South Carolina paid parental leave—producing conflicting text and unclear operative provisions.

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Waters
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3490

Summary — H.3490

Bill number: H 3490
Reported title (record): “Paid family leave” (record appears inconsistent)
Filed/introduced: Prefiled 12/05/2024; Filed 01/16/2025; Introduced/read 01/14/2025
Sponsors/Request to add sponsor: Paul K. Frost (presenting), Joseph D. McKenna; later sponsors added: Schuessler, Waters
Committee referrals / actions (MA): Referred to Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (02/27/2025); hearing scheduled 05/14/2025; reporting date extended to 12/03/2025. Senate concurred 02/27/2025.

Important note on the record: The available bill text included in the legislative file is inconsistent and appears to combine two distinct measures: (A) amendments to Massachusetts Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022 concerning electric vehicles (EVs); and (B) a South Carolina statutory amendment expanding paid parental leave for state employees. The summary below describes both components as they appear in the file and flags the inconsistency.

Purpose (as presented in the file)

  • Massachusetts component: To amend Chapter 179 (2022) related to electric vehicles — specifically to remove certain statutory provisions and revise section 81(a) language regarding EV sales and charging/fueling.
  • South Carolina component (included verbatim in the file): To increase weeks of paid parental leave for eligible state employees in the event of birth, foster placement, or adoption.

Key provisions — Massachusetts (chapter 179 amendments)

  • Repeals section 46 and section 96 of chapter 179 of the acts of 2022 (the bill text strikes those sections).
  • Amends subsection (a) of section 81 of chapter 179 by removing the phrase that required “cessation, by December 31, 2035, of in‑state sales of non‑zero‑emission vehicles” and adjusts the subsection so that advancement of access to and affordability of EV charging and fueling remains (recasts item numbering so (iii) is advancement of charging/fueling).
  • Effect: removes the statutory requirement (in the quoted language) for a 2035 in‑state ban on sales of non‑zero‑emission vehicles and preserves language about charging/fueling access and affordability.

Potential impacts: auto manufacturers/dealers, vehicle consumers, state regulators and agencies implementing Chapter 179 provisions, and EV infrastructure planning and investment in Massachusetts.

Key provisions — South Carolina (paid parental leave)

  • Amends S.C. Code §§ 8‑11‑150 and 8‑11‑155 (paid parental leave for state employees).
  • Increases paid parental leave entitlements:
    • Employees who give birth or are the primary caregiver: from 6 weeks to 12 weeks at 100% base pay.
    • Other eligible state employees: from 2 weeks to 4 weeks at 100% base pay.
  • Definitions: eligible state employee includes full‑time employees of the State, its departments, institutions and state‑controlled higher education institutions; leave for part‑time employees prorated.
  • Use rules: leave must generally be used within 12 months of the qualifying event, may not be donated, runs concurrently with FMLA, does not deduct from accrued annual/sick leave, and employees continue to accrue sick/annual leave while on paid parental leave.
  • Foster parent and adoption specifics: some exceptions allowing nonconsecutive one‑week blocks for foster parents.
  • Effective date: upon governor’s approval (immediate upon approval).

Affected parties: state employees (full‑time, and prorated for part‑time) in South Carolina state agencies and institutions; state payroll/HR systems; Division of Human Resources to promulgate implementing regulations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Massachusetts actions: referred to committee, hearing scheduled, reporting date extended to December 3, 2025.
  • South Carolina text in the file is dated 12/05/2024 and shows an enact‑upon‑approval effective date; the file does not show SC legislative progress beyond the draft text included.

Caveats / next steps for readers

  • The legislative record for H.3490 as provided appears to conflate two different measures (a Massachusetts bill amending Chapter 179 EV provisions and a South Carolina statutory amendment on paid parental leave). Confirm the official bill text on the Massachusetts General Court website or the relevant legislative clerk to determine which text is the operative H.3490 in Massachusetts and to obtain the accurate, current version for committee review.

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

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