Signed by Governor Charlie Baker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the state's minimum wage and establishes a mandatory paid family and medical leave program.

Highlights:

• Increases the minimum wage to $15 an hour without tips and $6.75 an hour with tips (Sec. 27).  

• Increases the payroll tax for all employees in the state, effective July 2018 (Sec. 27).

• Repeals the requirement for retailers to pay overtime wages on Sundays and holidays (Sec. 27).

• Requires employers to allow up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and 20 weeks of paid medical leave without it affecting an employee’s wages, accrued vacation time, seniority or status, health insurance, bonuses, or other benefits (Sec. 27).

• Requires an $850 weekly cap on the paid leave benefits (Sec. 27).

• Specifies that family leave must be provided for any of the following reasons (Sec. 27):

• To support the family while a spouse is on military duty;

• Care for a relative who is sick or has a serious health condition; or

• Bond with a newborn or recently adopted child during the first 12 months.

• Specifies that medical leave must be provided to an employee with a “serious health condition,” which the bill defines as an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves (Sec. 27):

• Inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential medical facility; or

• Continuing treatment by a health care provider.

• Specifies that the paid-leave program takes effect in 2021 and will be funded by the newly established Department of Family and Medical Leave (Sec. 27).

• Requires a 2-day weekend in August to be designated as the annual sales tax holiday during which retailers are prohibited from taxing tangible personal property (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that in regards to the tax holiday, tangible personal property does not include telecommunications, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, cars, gas, electricity or any single item priced over $2,500 (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes a municipality to vote to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays (Sec. 15).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the state's minimum wage and establishes a mandatory paid family and medical leave program.

Highlights:

• Increases the minimum wage to $15 an hour without tips and $6.75 an hour with tips (Sec. 27).  

• Increases the payroll tax for all employees in the state, effective July 2018 (Sec. 27).

• Repeals the requirement for retailers to pay overtime wages on Sundays and holidays (Sec. 27).

• Requires employers to allow up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and 20 weeks of paid medical leave without it affecting an employee’s wages, accrued vacation time, seniority or status, health insurance, bonuses, or other benefits (Sec. 27).

• Requires an $850 weekly cap on the paid leave benefits (Sec. 27).

• Specifies that family leave must be provided for any of the following reasons (Sec. 27):

• To support the family while a spouse is on military duty;

• Care for a relative who is sick or has a serious health condition; or

• Bond with a newborn or recently adopted child during the first 12 months.

• Specifies that medical leave must be provided to an employee with a “serious health condition,” which the bill defines as an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves (Sec. 27):

• Inpatient care in a hospital, hospice or residential medical facility; or

• Continuing treatment by a health care provider.

• Specifies that the paid-leave program takes effect in 2021 and will be funded by the newly established Department of Family and Medical Leave (Sec. 27).

• Requires a 2-day weekend in August to be designated as the annual sales tax holiday during which retailers are prohibited from taxing tangible personal property (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that in regards to the tax holiday, tangible personal property does not include telecommunications, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, cars, gas, electricity or any single item priced over $2,500 (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes a municipality to vote to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays (Sec. 15).

Full Bill Text