Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3799: An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers in Massachusetts

This bill establishes paid time off (PTO) and break requirements for agricultural workers in Massachusetts. Non-family agricultural employees (defined in the bill) earn 1 hour of PTO for every 40 hours worked, up to 55 hours per calendar year, with a 45-day waiting period before use. It also mandates two 15-minute breaks for 8+ hour shifts, requiring employers to provide hydration and temperature regulation during extreme weather. The bill clarifies the definition of "agricultural work" and ensures PTO cannot replace required sick leave under existing law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates PTO, breaks, and safety measures for agricultural workers, directly advancing worker protections and benefits in Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3165: An Act to establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage

HD 3165 establishes a $25 per hour minimum wage for care workers in home care agencies and social service programs, with annual inflation adjustments based on the U.S. Department of Labor's CPI index. The bill directly affects home care workers and social service program providers by requiring agencies to pay this enhanced wage. Key provisions mandate that state payment rates for these services must fully cover the cost of this higher wage, adjusted annually for inflation. This policy change ensures care workers' compensation keeps pace with living costs while requiring rate adjustments to providers' reimbursement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill sets $25/hour minimum wage for home care/social service workers with state funding covering costs, directly supporting healthcare workforce compensation and service quality in covered programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes $25/hr minimum wage with inflation adjustments for care workers, directly advancing wage standards and worker compensation in Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2970: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights for legislative employees

HD 2970 extends collective bargaining rights to all Massachusetts legislative staff, including committee members, clerks, HR personnel, and other general court employees. It defines "legislative employees" broadly to cover all such staff, while allowing exclusion of certain managerial or confidential roles (like top aides to legislative leaders) from bargaining units. The bill also updates conflict-of-interest rules to specifically address bargaining representatives under Chapter 150E. This policy change directly affects over 1,000 legislative employees across the state legislature.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends collective bargaining rights to legislative staff, directly supporting workers' organizing rights under labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2698: An Act streamlining state employee collective bargaining

HD 2698 streamlines how state employee collective bargaining agreements take effect. It requires salary adjustments and economic benefits proposed by the governor to become effective 30 days after submission unless the legislature rejects them. The bill mandates that existing reserve funds - set aside specifically for such costs - must cover these expenses for agreements implemented under this law. This directly affects state employees covered by collective bargaining agreements by ensuring faster implementation of agreed-upon compensation changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses existing reserve funds to cover state employee bargaining costs, avoiding new appropriations and promoting fiscal responsibility without increasing taxes or defunding programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill streamlines state employee collective bargaining by mandating 30-day implementation window for governor's proposals and using reserve funds, directly supporting collective bargaining rights and effective wage agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1828: An Act to prevent wage theft, promote employer accountability, and enhance public enforcement

HD 1828 requires employers to provide new written wage notices within 10 days of hire, detailing pay rates, pay schedules, and business contact information in the employee's preferred language. It creates joint liability for wage theft among lead contractors, labor contractors, and subcontractors, holding their officers personally accountable. The Attorney General gains new enforcement powers to sue for treble damages, lost wages, and attorney fees on behalf of affected workers. The bill also adjusts unemployment benefits to account for unpaid wages during the benefit calculation period.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires wage notices, creates joint liability for wage theft, and empowers AG to seek treble damages, directly protecting workers' rights and enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2120: An Act to prevent heat-related illness in public sector outdoor workers

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1367) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a standard for prevention of heat illness in outdoor public sector workers. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes heat illness prevention standards for outdoor public sector workers, directly enhancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 37: An Act to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 77) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill title explicitly aims to 'facilitate labor peace' in cannabis workforce, aligning with supporting worker-employer relations and collective bargaining protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2367: An Act allowing for airline catering to be considered covered employees

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1309) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to establish forthwith a minimum wage for employees of airline catering companies. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly mandates minimum wage for airline catering employees, directly advancing wage protections under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1294: Resolve support ratification of Federal Child Labor Constitutional Amendment

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 521) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to support ratification of Federal Child Labor Constitutional Amendment. Election Laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill supports ratification of Federal Child Labor Constitutional Amendment, advancing protections for minors in workplace (a core labor & employment issue).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1702: An Act to promote an enhanced care worker minimum wage

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 877) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Paul W. Mark, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote an enhanced care worker minimum wage. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases minimum wage for care workers (directly tied to health care financing), strengthening workforce stability and quality of healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly seeks to increase minimum wage for care workers, directly advancing wage standards in labor policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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