MASSACHUSETTS – NEW PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE PRIVATE PLAN EXEMPTIONS PROCESS
Effective July 1, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) will have a new process for private plan exemption approval. At this time, employers will be required to use the PFML Employer Portal to request exemptions and renewals for private plans, and they will no longer be filed via MassTaxConnect.
In order to start a new request or otherwise access details on these exemptions for your organization, employers will need to create a leave administrator account in the PFML Employer Portal.
Additional details will be provided in the coming weeks.
ALASKA – LAWMAKERS PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INCREASE WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
Alaska workers may soon see an increase in the maximum weekly benefit amount available to qualified unemployed workers. HB302 seeks to increase the maximum weekly benefit amount $100, up to $470 per week, which would mark the first time since 2009 unemployment benefit amounts have been adjusted for Alaska workers.
The benefit adjustments are attached as an amendment to HB302, an otherwise unrelated bill about travel insurance. The bill would also increase the weekly benefit per claimant dependent, up to $72 per dependent.
The bill now awaits Governor Mike Dunleavy’s review. At this time, Governor Dunleavy has not indicated whether or not he intends to sign the bill.