Section 80 Workforce Productivity Fund 2

Said chapter 175M is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-
Section 12. (a) For the purposes of this section, "eligible applicant" shall mean an employer employing not more than 50 employees in the commonwealth; provided, however, that "eligible applicant" shall not include an employer with a plan approved pursuant to section 11.
(b) There shall be a Workforce Productivity Subfund within the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund which shall be expended by the director for the administration of this section.
(c) 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.
(d) The director may promulgate regulations or other guidance necessary for the implementation of this section including, but not limited to, grant eligibility criteria.