Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3410: An Act requiring an annual report on the labor market needs of the Commonwealth

HD 3410 requires Massachusetts' Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, working with Education and Economic Development leaders, to produce an annual report analyzing current and projected workforce needs for the next five years. The report must include recommendations for policies and investments to address future job gaps, progress on career training programs in schools and industries, and data on skills required for key sectors. This report must be published publicly and submitted to the governor, state agencies, and legislative committees by December 31 each year to guide future workforce planning and funding decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates annual labor market analysis and policy recommendations to address workforce gaps, directly supporting proactive employment standards and workforce development planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3739: An Act relative to non-disclosure agreements relating to a claim of discrimination, non-payment of wages or benefits, retaliation, harassment or violation of public policy in employment

This bill (HD 3739) limits the enforceability of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in employment settlements involving claims of discrimination, unpaid wages/benefits, retaliation, harassment, or public policy violations. It states that any NDA provision waiving these rights is only valid for 3 years from the agreement's start date. Employees cannot be punished by employers for refusing to sign such clauses, and employers violating this law face liability for attorney fees and damages. The law applies to all settlement agreements entered after its effective date, but excludes collective bargaining agreements. It directly affects employees with workplace claims and employers using NDAs in settlements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits NDAs in discrimination/wage claims, protects employee rights to speak out, and imposes employer liability for violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3801: An Act relative to workplace safety and disclosure of violations

This bill requires government contractors and subcontractors working on contracts over $50,000 to disclose any recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations within the past four years, including whether safety hazards were corrected. It applies to all companies bidding on state procurement contracts and to trench excavation permit applicants, who must submit written disclosures about safety violations, fines, or site shutdowns. Contractors must update this information every six months during contract performance and provide documentation verifying hazard corrections. The law aims to ensure government agencies consider workplace safety records when awarding contracts, without restricting other legal rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates disclosure of OSHA violations for contractors, enhancing transparency and accountability in workplace safety compliance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4054: An Act for a minimum hourly health improvement wage

This bill (HD 4054) would require employers with 50 or more employees to contribute to health insurance benefits for each hour an employee works, creating a portable health care benefit tied to hours worked rather than employment status. Employees working multiple part-time jobs would receive benefits proportional to their total hours (e.g., 20 hours at two jobs = 40 hours of benefits). Smaller employers (under 50 employees) could voluntarily participate during a pilot program, with tax credits available. The Public Health Council would develop regulations and pilot program details before full implementation. The bill positions this as a cost of doing business for larger employers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tax credits to incentivize employer participation in health benefits, a fiscal mechanism funding the program via tax policy.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer health insurance contributions based on hours worked, creating portable coverage for part-time workers and expanding access to benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates portable health benefits tied to hours worked, expanding worker benefits beyond traditional employment status and requiring employer contributions for coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3935: An Act relative to updating overtime salary thresholds and codify definitions to protect the middle class

This bill raises the salary threshold for overtime eligibility from $844 per week (effective immediately) to $1,211.53 by January 2026, with annual increases tied to minimum wage and wage index data. It directly affects middle-income workers currently classified as "exempt" (e.g., managers, professionals) who earn below these thresholds, requiring employers to pay overtime for hours worked over 40 per week. The law codifies clear definitions for "executive," "administrative," and "professional" roles to determine eligibility, ensuring workers must earn at least the new salary floor to remain exempt. These changes aim to expand overtime protections to more workers without requiring additional legislative action.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises overtime threshold from $844 to $1,211.53 weekly, expanding overtime eligibility for middle-income workers previously misclassified as exempt, directly protecting worker compensation rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4168: An Act prohibiting employers from attempting to conceal violations of state wage, benefit, or tax laws

This bill prohibits employers from disclosing or threatening to disclose an employee's immigration status to hide violations of state wage, benefit, or tax laws. Employers found doing so face administrative penalties: up to $2,500 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for subsequent violations. The Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division enforces these penalties, considering factors like the employer’s history and business size, and provides a 15-day hearing window for affected employers. Penalties collected fund the division’s enforcement of wage laws, and the Attorney General must report annual violations to the legislature. The law directly affects employers who misuse immigration status to conceal labor law violations.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationPrevents employers from threatening immigration status to evade wage/benefit laws, protecting immigrant workers from exploitation and deterring retaliation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from using immigration status threats to conceal wage/benefit violations, directly protecting workers' rights to report violations without fear of retaliation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2974: An Act to provide paid family and medical leave to educators and municipal employees

HD 2974 provides paid family and medical leave for educators employed by school districts or education collaboratives, and for municipal employees who choose to adopt the program. The bill requires the state (Commonwealth) to cover the employer's share of the cost for these groups by paying into a leave trust fund, rather than requiring local school districts or municipalities to fund it themselves. It also ensures that employees on leave maintain their health insurance coverage and accrue benefits like vacation time and seniority. This applies specifically to covered educators and municipal employees who opt into the program under the bill's provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState covers employer costs via trust fund, increasing state budget expenditure for employee benefits instead of local funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid leave for educators, ensuring job security and benefits, directly supporting teacher welfare and retention in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures employees maintain health insurance coverage during leave, directly protecting access to healthcare services as part of the benefit structure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid family/medical leave for educators/municipal employees with state-funded coverage, maintaining health benefits and accrual - directly expands worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 288: An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth

HD 288 creates new leave protections for contract workers (e.g., staffing agency employees) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping. It allows up to 15 days of unpaid leave per year for purposes like seeking medical care, legal help, court appearances, or securing housing related to the abuse. Employers must permit this leave but can decide if it’s paid, require documentation (such as a protective order or sworn statement from a professional), and must keep all related information confidential. The bill specifically excludes regular employees (covered under existing law) and requires contract workers to use other available leave first before taking this leave.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides leave for crime victims to access courts/legal aid, directly supporting victim engagement in criminal justice system per topic definition.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides leave for medical care related to domestic violence, improving access to healthcare services for victims.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits leave to secure housing for domestic violence victims, directly supporting housing access for vulnerable populations during crises.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates new leave protections for domestic violence victims, advancing worker safety and rights for vulnerable employees including contract workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Gig Economy Labor Standards Paid Leave

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 932: An Act prohibiting employment discrimination based on legal use of cannabis

HD 932 prohibits employment discrimination against workers who use cannabis legally outside of work. It prevents employers from refusing to hire, firing, or discriminating in pay or conditions based solely on positive drug tests for THC or cannabis metabolites, unless there's reasonable suspicion the employee was impaired during work hours. The law does not apply to "safety sensitive positions" (like pilots or heavy machinery operators) or if the employee cannot maintain required licenses due to cannabis use. It also excludes situations where compliance would violate federal law or funding agreements. This directly affects employees in non-safety roles who use cannabis legally but face workplace drug testing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination based on legal cannabis use outside work, protecting workers' rights and preventing unfair hiring/firing decisions per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2039: An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes

SD 2039 modifies Massachusetts unemployment law to clarify when workers affected by labor disputes can receive benefits. It establishes a 30-day waiting period for benefits if unemployment stems from a labor dispute, but exempts workers if the dispute involves an employer failing to follow contracts, wage laws, or collective bargaining agreements. The bill also protects workers during lockouts (employer-imposed work stoppages), preventing benefit denial if employees are ready to work and the employer cannot prove union-caused property damage. This directly affects workers in disputes over wages, hours, or working conditions, ensuring eligibility unless they actively participated in the dispute or belong to the same worker group causing it.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts workers from waiting period when employers violate contracts/wage laws and protects during lockouts, strengthening worker benefits during disputes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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