In July 2018, Massachusetts signed H. 4640 – also called the “grand bargain” – into law, which included implementation of a state-mandated paid family and medical leave program starting January 1, 2021.  To prepare for rollout of this program, employers were required to provide their workforce notice of the new leave by May 31, 2019.  The Massachusetts Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) recently extended two pending deadlines: (1) written notice to employees of their rights under the PFML must be provided by June 30, 2019; and (2) companies can file an application for a private plan exemption up to September 20, 2019. The PFML program is funded through an employee payroll tax with a supplementary amount paid by employers.

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