Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2600: An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a declared public health state of emergency

HD 2600 requires private employers with 11+ employees providing essential services (as defined by the Governor's emergency orders) to pay essential workers hazard pay equal to 1.5 times their regular rate during a declared public health emergency. It also mandates employers provide free, required personal protective equipment (PPE) and prohibits penalties for workers who refuse unsafe work due to health risks, vulnerable household members, or lack of childcare during the emergency. The law excludes government workers and certain exempt employees, and enforcement is handled by the Attorney General's office under existing wage laws. This directly affects private-sector essential businesses and their frontline workers during active public health emergencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1595: An Act relative to defense against abusive waivers

This bill (SD 1595) bans employment contracts from requiring employees to waive legal rights related to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, unpaid wages, or workplace safety violations. It makes such waivers void and unenforceable, prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who refuse these waivers, and allows employees to sue for damages if they face retaliation. Employers who enforce invalid waivers must pay damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies to contracts signed after its effective date and ensures courts - not arbitrators - decide if waiver clauses apply to protected claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workplace Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1367: An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes

HD 1367 amends unemployment compensation rules for workers affected by labor disputes. It states that workers lose benefits for 30 days if unemployment stems from a labor dispute, unless the employer hires a permanent replacement (which must be certified as permanent). Key exceptions include disputes over unmet contract terms or laws on wages/hours, workers unemployed during contract negotiations (benefits until strike begins), and workers not recalled within one week after a dispute ends. The bill also clarifies that lockouts cannot deny benefits if workers are ready to work under existing terms, unless the lockout responds to union-caused property damage despite employer safety efforts. (HD 1367, An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes)

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3268: An Act to restore collective bargaining for teachers and other school employees

HD 3268 restores collective bargaining rights for teachers and other school employees in Massachusetts by removing legal barriers from existing law. The bill amends Chapter 69 of the General Laws to eliminate restrictive language (like "of practices" or "or practices") and ensures school employee bargaining is subject to Chapter 150E, the state's labor relations law. This directly affects public school staff by enabling them to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions through unions. The key mechanism is deleting specific clauses that previously limited collective bargaining authority for school employees.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3316: An Act to promote employment for people with disabilities

HD 3316 creates a state council to help people with disabilities find jobs by requiring state agencies and local governments to consider purchasing services from certified providers. The council will maintain a list of approved services, verify fair market prices, and ensure certified programs employ at least 75% people with disabilities in direct work (like service delivery, not admin). This affects state agencies buying services, disability-focused nonprofits (community rehabilitation programs), and people with disabilities seeking employment. The law aims to expand job opportunities while ensuring these services offer value to public buyers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags People with Disabilities

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2051: An Act relative to workplace safety and disclosure of violations

SD 2051 requires contractors bidding on government contracts over $50,000 to disclose any recent OSHA violations (within the last 4 years) for themselves or affiliated businesses, including proof that hazards were corrected. It also mandates that contractors ensure subcontractors disclose similar violations and update this information every 6 months. For trench excavation permits, applicants must disclose OSHA violations, permit suspensions, fines, or site shutdowns related to trench work. The law aims to inform contracting decisions by making safety violation history a factor in determining a contractor's "responsibility." This directly affects businesses seeking state government contracts or trench excavation permits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3757: An Act to improve contract provisions waiving certain rights

HD 3757 prohibits employers from requiring employees to waive legal rights related to discrimination, unpaid wages, retaliation, harassment, or public policy violations in employment contracts. It deems such waivers unconscionable, void, and unenforceable for claims arising after the waiver is signed. The bill also bans retaliation against employees who refuse these waivers and allows affected individuals to sue within three years for violations, including recovery of attorney fees. These provisions apply to all employment contracts entered after the law takes effect, excluding collective bargaining agreements. The law directly affects employees seeking to enforce workplace rights and employers drafting standard contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2040: An Act to increase unemployment insurance benefits for low wage workers

This bill increases unemployment benefits for low-wage workers by changing how benefits are calculated. It sets weekly benefits at 50% of a worker's average weekly wage (capped at 57.5% of the state average wage, with a minimum of 20% or 75% of the worker's own wage, whichever is lower). It reduces the total benefit cap from 30 times the weekly rate to 26 times during periods of low statewide unemployment (below 5.1% in 10 metro areas), while adding protections to prevent benefit reductions if eligibility requirements aren't met. These changes directly affect low-wage workers filing for unemployment during the 2023-2024 benefit year.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3530: An Act modernizing workforce opportunities for older workers

HD 3530 creates Massachusetts' Age-Friendly Employer Certification program, targeting employers who support workers aged 55 and older. To qualify, employers must offer remote/hybrid work, flexible schedules, job-sharing, and equal hiring practices. Certified employers receive tax credits: up to $2,500 annually per eligible worker, with additional credits for caregiver accommodations, training programs, and extended health benefits for workers 55+. The program aims to encourage hiring and retention of older workers through financial incentives, administered by state labor and health agencies, effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2042: An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a public health "State of Emergency" declaration

This bill requires private employers with 11 or more employees providing "essential services" (as defined in emergency orders) to pay essential workers 1.5 times their regular wage during a Governor-declared public health emergency. It also mandates that employers provide free personal protective equipment (PPE) meeting health agency guidelines. Essential workers may refuse unsafe work without penalty if they face health risks to themselves, household members, or lack childcare during the emergency. The law excludes government employees and certain exempt workers, and enforcement falls to the Attorney General under existing wage laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

All labor & employment bills