Statement of Mayor Walsh on parental leave legislation

Mayor Martin J. Walsh commends the Massachusetts Legislature for passing legislation to extend parental leave to parents of both genders, which protects a minimum of eight weeks parental leave for employees and clarifies the law to protect businesses from litigation.   

Signed into law on January 7th, Mayor Walsh filed this bill as a State Representative in 2013. "This is about supporting the well-being of working families and allowing parents to establish their families without worrying about job security," Mayor Walsh said. "This effort is a top priority of mine and I am very pleased that it passed the Legislature before the end of session. Our families are the future and this is a big step forward in strengthening our public policy."    

Additional statements of support:  

"The Commonwealth took a great step toward fairness with the passage of An Act Relative to Parental Leave," Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven A. Tolman said. "This law recognizes the important role that both parents play just after the birth of a child, allowing them to spend this needed time with their family without risking their job. These protections strengthen our families and communities."  

“This law represents what is possible when groups engage in respectful debate about public policy that impacts Massachusetts employers and residents," Associated Industries of Massachusetts President and CEO Richard Lord said. "AIM sought clarity on parental leave for employers and we believe the legislation achieves that goal. The association commends Mayor Marty Walsh, Senator Patricia Jehlen, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the Greater Boston Legal Services for their work on this legislation.”