Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XXI Chapter 149
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D (2026)

Family and medical leave; enforcement

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 52D. (a) As used in this section, terms shall have the meanings assigned to them by the federal act, notwithstanding any contrary provision of section 1 of this chapter. In addition, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

''Elderly relative'', an individual of at least 60 years of age who is related by blood or marriage to the employee, including a parent.

''Federal act'', sections 101 to 105, inclusive, of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. sections 2611 to 2615, inclusive, as it may be amended.

''School'', a public or private elementary or secondary school; a Head Start program assisted under the Head Start Act, 42 U.S.C. sections 9831 et seq.; and a children's child care facility licensed under chapter 15D.

(b) An eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of 24 hours of leave during any 12–month period, in addition to leave available under the federal act, to:

(1) participate in school activities directly related to the educational advancement of a son or daughter of the employee, such as parent-teacher conferences or interviewing for a new school;

(2) accompany the son or daughter of the employee to routine medical or dental appointments, such as check-ups or vaccinations; and

(3) accompany an elderly relative of the employee to routine medical or dental appointments or appointments for other professional services related to the elder's care, such as interviewing at nursing or group homes.

(c) Unless this section provides otherwise, the terms of the federal act shall apply to leave under this section. As provided in section 102(d)(2)(A) of the federal act, 29 U.S.C. section 2612(d)(2)(A), an eligible employee may elect, or an employer may require the employee, to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, or medical or sick leave of the employee for any of the leave provided under this section, but nothing in this section shall require an employer to provide paid sick leave or paid medical leave in any situation in which the employer would not normally provide any such paid leave. Leave under this section may be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule.

(d) If the necessity for leave under this section is foreseeable, the employee shall provide the employer with not less than seven days' notice before the date the leave is to begin. If the necessity for leave is not foreseeable, the employee shall provide such notice as is practicable.

(e) An employer may require that a request for leave under this section be supported by a certification issued at such time and in such manner as the attorney general may by regulation require.

(f) The attorney general shall enforce this section, and may obtain injunctive or declaratory relief for this purpose. Violation of this section shall be subject to the second paragraph of section 150 and to section 180.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2003–2022 · leading case: Mellen v. Trs. of Boston Univ., 504 F.3d 21 (1st Cir. 2007).
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Mellen v. Trs. of Boston Univ., 504 F.3d 21 (1st Cir. 2007). · cites it 3× “, and the Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA), Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D. Mellen argues that BU miscalculated the period of leave to which she was entitled under both the FMLA and the SNLA, and also used her leave as a negative factor in an employment decision…”
Goodridge v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 440 Mass. 309 (Mass. 2003). “Other statutory benefits of a personal nature available only to married individuals include qualification for *325 bereavement or medical leave to care for individuals related by blood or marriage (G. L. c. 149, § 52D); an automatic “family member” preference to make medical…”
Kuc v. Smith & Nephew, Inc. (D. Mass. 2022). “11 In short, Count 1 alleges handicap discrimination, but Kuc has not attempted to demonstrate that she was a qualified handicapped person or that she requested or was denied a 11 The Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act, although incorporating FMLA provisions, provides for…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D(b) — 1 case
Mellen v. Trs. of Boston Univ., 504 F.3d 21 (1st Cir. 2007). “, and the Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA), Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D. Mellen argues that BU miscalculated the period of leave to which she was entitled under both the FMLA and the SNLA, and also used her leave as a negative factor in an employment decision…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D(d) — 1 case
Mellen v. Trs. of Boston Univ., 504 F.3d 21 (1st Cir. 2007). “, and the Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA), Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 52D. Mellen argues that BU miscalculated the period of leave to which she was entitled under both the FMLA and the SNLA, and also used her leave as a negative factor in an employment decision…”
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