Bill
S 1472
Expands EMS leave coverage to more public employers by adding political subdivisions and the Boston Public Health Commission, ensuring paid EMS leave under c.41, 111M-111N.
Note on document inconsistency
- The metadata supplied includes two conflicting titles: one referencing certification of small‑arms instructors and the other (and the bill text below) addressing EMS leave without loss of pay. This summary follows the bill text, which amends Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 41, sections 111M and 111N, to expand which employers are covered by those sections.
Purpose / intent
- To expand the class of public employers whose employees are eligible for EMS leave without loss of pay by explicitly including political subdivisions (and the Boston Public Health Commission) and by clarifying inclusion of fire and water districts.
Key provisions (what the bill changes)
- Amends chapter 41, section 111M:
- Replaces every occurrence of the phrase “city or town or fire or water district” with “city or town or political subdivision thereof, including the Boston Public Health Commission, or fire or water district.”
- Amends chapter 41, section 111N:
- Replaces every occurrence of the phrase “city or town” with “city or town, including political subdivisions thereof, including the Boston Public Health Commission, and fire or water districts.”
- Effect: the statutory provisions in sections 111M and 111N will explicitly apply to:
- political subdivisions of cities and towns,
- the Boston Public Health Commission,
- and fire and water districts, in addition to cities and towns.
Who would be affected
- Employers: Municipalities and their political subdivisions (including boards/agencies that are political subdivisions), the Boston Public Health Commission, and fire and water districts.
- Employees: Personnel employed by the above entities who currently benefit (or would benefit) under sections 111M/111N — commonly emergency medical service (EMS) personnel — would be explicitly covered for EMS leave without loss of pay.
- Fiscal/administrative impact: Employers newly placed within the statutory language may incur payroll or administrative costs associated with providing paid EMS leave consistent with sections 111M/111N.
Legislative status and timeline (as provided)
- Filed / Presented: Senate Docket No. 561, filed 1/14/2025; presented by Senator Michael F. Rush.
- Introduced / Committee referrals: Read twice and referred to committee (various entries show referral to Codes, Municipalities & Regional Government, and Energy & Natural Resources in April–January 2025).
- Hearings: Hearing scheduled 06/10/2025 (01:00–05:00 PM in B‑1).
- Senate action: Reported/committed to finance (1/27/2025), passed the Senate and ordered to third reading (listed as 06/09/2025); delivered to the House and referred to the House Committee on Codes (status: REFERRED TO CODES).
- Additional notes: legislative action history contains duplicate and out‑of‑order entries in the supplied record.
Sponsors and related measures
- Presented by: Michael F. Rush (Norfolk & Suffolk).
- Additional sponsors/cosponsors listed in supplied data (names appear to include federal legislators and may reflect data inconsistencies) — use the official state docket for authoritative sponsor lists.
- Related/companion measures noted: HR 2865 (companion), SD 561 (replacement), prior-session bills S.9601 and S.138.
Practical takeaway
- S.1472 is a narrow statutory amendment intended to clarify and broaden which municipal and quasi‑municipal employers are subject to the EMS leave provisions in chapter 41, §§111M–111N, thereby extending the explicit eligibility for paid EMS leave to additional public entities such as political subdivisions and the Boston Public Health Commission. For exact statutory effect and administrative implications, consult the current text of c.41, §§111M–111N and official legislative records.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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