Sen. L’Italien lobbied for local meeting after being contacted by area employers
LAWRENCE — State Sen. Barbara L’Italien has arranged for Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office to host a meeting in Lawrence to explain and answer questions from local business owners and other members of the public about the new earned sick time law that is set to go into effect July 1.
The informational forum – one of several the Attorney General’s Office is holding statewide — is scheduled June 2 from 9:30 to 12:30 at Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St. Parking will be available on the street around the library and at the nearby Buckley Parking Garage, 99 Amesbury St.
“After speaking with the attorney general’s office, I am confident she will prioritize the concerns that have been raised by employers about the new law’s implementation,” Sen. L’Italien said. “Attorney General Healey has committed to working cooperatively with employers to educate them about the new law, provide further clarity, and respond to individual questions and requests.”
Sen. L’Italien, who represents Lawrence, Andover, Tewksbury and Dracut, said she recently contacted the attorney general’s office to request an informational meeting in her district after being contacted by local employers with questions and concerns about the pending earned sick time regulations.
The Attorney’s General Office did not plan on holding a forum in Lawrence until contacted by Sen. L’Italien. The other forums are to be held in Boston, Lowell, Salem, Framingham, Springfield, Pittsfield, Fall River, Brockton, West Barnstable and Worcester.
Massachusetts voters passed the Earned Sick Leave Law by ballot initiative in November.
The law requires that employers provide earned paid sick time to eligible employees if they maintained 11 or more employees on the payroll during 20 or more weeks (whether consecutive or not) or for 16 consecutive weeks over either the current or preceding calendar year.
Business groups and some nonprofit organizations have voiced concern the mandate will lead to increased personnel costs and other problems.
