Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1883: An Act to ensure safety and transparency in pipeline repair

This bill requires non-utility contractors repairing gas or electric pipelines on public infrastructure (like roads or sidewalks) to follow specific labor laws and obtain local wage standards from the Department of Labor every six months. It also mandates that gas and electric utilities request these wage rates for each municipality they work in. Within one year, the Department of Labor must create rules for a certification program ensuring contractors and workers meet training standards for pipeline repairs. The bill directly affects contractors performing pipeline work on public infrastructure and utilities managing those projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Labor Standards Professional Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SD 2707: FY25 AG Wage Enforcement Report

Report of the Office of the Attorney General (pursuant to line item 0810-0045 Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) summitting its FY25 AG Fair Wage Enforcement report

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1802: An Act preventing wage theft, promoting employer accountability, and enhancing public enforcement

SD 1802 strengthens wage theft protections by requiring employers to provide new written wage notices to employees within 10 days of hire, detailing pay rates, benefits, and company details. It establishes joint liability for lead contractors, labor contractors, and subcontractors when wage theft occurs, meaning all can be held responsible. The Attorney General gains expanded power to file civil actions for unpaid wages, seeking triple damages and attorney fees, and can pursue injunctive relief. The bill also ensures unemployment benefits are calculated as if wages were properly paid when wage theft is proven during the benefit period. It directly affects employers, contractors, and employees in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 684: Resolutions ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States for federal regulation of child labor

Massachusetts' HD 684 is a resolution formally ratifying a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant Congress authority to regulate child labor for individuals under 18 years old. The amendment, passed by Congress, would allow federal laws to limit, regulate, or prohibit labor of minors and suspend conflicting state laws where necessary. This resolution is part of the constitutional amendment process, requiring ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures to become part of the U.S. Constitution. It does not create new federal law but enables future congressional action on child labor regulation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 919: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights for legislative employees

SD 919 extends collective bargaining rights to legislative employees in Massachusetts. It defines "legislative employees" to include all staff working for the General Court, such as committee employees, office staff, and information services personnel, while specifying certain roles (like those in the speaker's or president's offices) may be excluded if classified as managerial or confidential. The bill establishes that bargaining units can include most legislative employees, with specific exclusions for defined managerial or confidential positions in key leadership offices. This directly affects hundreds of non-elected staff working within the state legislature.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2124: An Act providing safeguards for home healthcare workers

This bill (HD 2124) requires home healthcare employers to implement safety measures protecting workers who provide in-home care, such as nurses and therapists. Key provisions include mandatory annual safety training, pre-visit safety assessments considering patient history and potential risks, provision of communication devices (like cell phones or alarms), and protections allowing workers to refuse unsafe visits without penalty. Employers must also establish crisis response teams for violence victims, report workplace violence incidents every 180 days, and provide up to 7 paid days off for workers assaulted at work to seek legal assistance or court-related support. The bill directly affects home healthcare workers and their employers, focusing on reducing workplace violence risks through concrete safety protocols and accountability.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 861: An Act to ensure safety and transparency in pipeline repair

HD 861 requires gas and electric utility contractors performing pipeline repairs on public infrastructure (like roads) to follow specific labor laws. It mandates utilities to obtain current wage rates from the labor department every six months for each municipality they work in. The bill also directs the labor department to create a one-year certification program for contractors and workers repairing pipelines, ensuring standardized training and safety standards across the state. This directly affects pipeline repair contractors and utilities working on public infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing

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 & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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 ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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 & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills