An Act relative to employee leave of absence to appear in the Probate and Family Court

This bill amends Massachusetts law to grant employees unpaid leave specifically for appearing in Probate and Family Court matters related to their rights as parents or legal guardians, such as divorce or custody cases. Under the new provision, workers can take this leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule, and they may use existing paid vacation or sick time to cover the absence if they choose. Employers are allowed to require advance notice of up to seven days for foreseeable leave and may ask for certification from the Attorney General to verify the need for time off. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing the law, and employers cannot be required to provide paid leave for this purpose if they do not normally offer such benefits.