The current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis have brought paid family and medical leave to the forefront of the national consciousness. While the federal government and other states have created new, immediately effective, paid family and medical leave laws, Massachusetts has remained committed to the existing timeframe for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), which will be effective January 1, 2021.

Despite the focus on the COVID-19 crisis, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to prepare for the implementation of PMFLA in 2021. On April 7, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) announced new guidance for employers who have applied for or plan to apply for a “private plan” exemption and use a third-party insurer for the privately funded paid leave plan. Read more.