BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Official regulations for the State of Massachusetts' Earned Sick Time law were published late last week by state Attorney General Maura Healey.
Healey said the law, which was passed by voters in November, will provide about one million workers in the state with access to sick leave for the first time.
“Nearly one million of our most vulnerable, lowest paid workers, will no longer need to worry about whether they can afford to take a day off if they are sick or to care for a loved one,” Healey said. “Hundreds of employers and workers contributed to our effort to write balanced, clear, and workable rules. We are committed to partnering with businesses and employees to help them understand their rights and responsibilities and ensure that the law is successfully implemented statewide.”
There were 11 public hearings and listening sessions held throughout the state since the laws was passed by voters. Healey's office said about 1,100 people came to the meetings. About 75 formal comments were filed during the public comment period, and the Attorney General's Office responded to hundreds of emailed questions asking about the law.
Employers in the state have until Jan. 1 to become compliant with the law. Under the new law, earned sick time can be used for emergency or routine medical visits and to care for sick family members. Massachusetts, California and Connecticut are the only states in the country to have a law governing earned sick time.