Section 67 Workforce Productivity Fund 2

          Said chapter 175M of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

          Section 12. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term "eligible applicant" shall mean an employer employing 50 or fewer employers in the commonwealth; provided that "eligible applicant" shall not include an employer with a plan approved pursuant to section 11.

          There shall be a sub-fund within the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund called the Workforce Productivity Sub-Fund, which shall be expended by the director for purposes of administration of this section.

          (b) There shall be a grant program to support eligible applicants with: (i) costs associated with covering a temporary vacancy due to an employee being on an approved continuous leave or (ii) other purposes as determined by the director. Eligible applicants may apply for a grant pursuant to this section in a form and manner prescribed by the department. Determinations related to grants issued pursuant to this section shall be at the sole discretion of the department.

          (c) The director may promulgate regulations or other guidance necessary for the implementation of this section, including, but not limited to, grant eligibility criteria.

This section, together with related sections, establishes the Workforce Productivity Sub-Fund within the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund to provide grants to assist small businesses manage workforce needs related to employees taking paid family or medical leave.