Massachusetts provides paid family and medical leave through the PFML program under MGL Chapter 175M, plus paid sick time under the Earned Sick Time Law for most employees.
Massachusetts offers two main paid leave systems. The Earned Sick Time Law under MGL Chapter 149 Section 148C grants employees up to 40 hours of sick leave annually, with paid time required for employers with 11 or more workers. Paid Family and Medical Leave under MGL Chapter 175M provides up to 12 weeks of family leave and 20 weeks of medical leave with partial wage replacement, funded by employer-employee payroll contributions. The state generally preempts cities from creating different leave systems for private employers, though local enhancements for municipal employees are common.
Retaliation or denial of statutory leave subjects employers to triple damages, attorney fees, and civil penalties under MGL Chapter 149 wage enforcement provisions.
Bristol County, MA
Amplified music in Bristol County cities requires entertainment licenses from the local licensing board. Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton each regulate o...
Bristol County, MA
New Bedford and Fall River ban on-street overnight parking during declared winter snow emergencies. Taunton has no blanket overnight ban but enforces posted ...
Bristol County, MA
EV charger installations in Bristol County require electrical permit under 527 CMR 12. Massachusetts Stretch Code and Specialized Code (780 CMR Appendix 115....
Bristol County, MA
Fence materials in Bristol County cities follow local zoning bylaws. Wood, vinyl, and wrought iron are standard. Historic districts in New Bedford and Taunto...
Bristol County, MA
MassWildlife (MGL ch. 131 §5A as amended) prohibits intentional feeding of black bears statewide. Bristol County cities restrict feeding of deer, turkeys, an...
Bristol County, MA
Bristol County is not in a high wildfire-hazard zone like western states, but DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control enforces MGL ch. 48 §13 open-burning rules. F...
See how Acushnet Center's paid leave preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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