Massachusetts Expands Sick Time Law to Include Pregnancy Loss, Failed Assisted Reproduction, Adoption, or Surrogacy

Quick Hits

• Effective November 21, 2024, Massachusetts employees working for covered employers will receive expanded benefits under the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law to address various types of reproductive losses.
• Employers will want to be aware of the coverage requirements to respond accordingly to employee requests.

Specifically, the expanded benefits allow an employee to “address the employee’s own physical and mental health needs, and those of their spouse, if the employee or the employee’s spouse experiences pregnancy loss or a failed assisted reproduction, adoption or surrogacy.” With this expansion of the law, Massachusetts continues as a leader in providing generous leave benefits in the United States.

Employers may want to consider updating their handbooks and policies to ensure employees and managers are aware of this upcoming change.

Staying Informed

Ogletree Deakins’ Boston office and Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation Practice Group will continue to monitor developments with respect to the Earned Sick Time Law and will provide updates on the Leaves of Absence and Massachusetts blogs as additional information becomes available.

Additionally, the Ogletree Deakins Client Portal provides subscribers with timely updates on paid sick leave requirements, including those in Massachusetts, as well as similar laws on reproductive loss leave, such as California’s bereavement leave law and Illinois’s bereavement leave law. Premium-level subscribers have access to updated policy templates for Massachusetts, California, and Illinois on reproductive loss leave. Snapshots and Updates are complimentary for all registered client users. For more information on the Client Portal or a Client Portal subscription, please reach out to clientportal@ogletree.com.

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