Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1870: An Act relative to a youth training wage

This bill creates a temporary wage requirement for minors under 18 working limited hours. It applies to young workers who need a work permit and work 20 hours or less per week with a new employer. During their first 120 hours of employment (a "training period"), these workers must be paid at least $10 per hour, overriding standard minimum wage rules for this specific group. The provision expires after 120 hours, after which regular wage laws apply.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates temporary $10/hour wage for minors during training period, exceeding standard minimum wage and protecting young workers' earnings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2234: An Act relative to updating overtime salary thresholds and codifying definitions to protect middle-class workers

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1324) of Paul R. Feeney and Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to update overtime salary thresholds and codifying definitions to protect middle-class workers. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates overtime salary thresholds to protect middle-class workers, directly advancing wage standards and worker protections per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1409: An Act relative to independent contractors

This bill changes how Massachusetts defines "employee" versus "independent contractor" for labor laws. It requires that an individual be considered an employee unless they meet all three specific conditions: (1) free from employer control in performing work, (2) work is outside the employer's usual business, and (3) they run an independent trade or business. This directly affects workers and businesses that classify workers as contractors, determining who qualifies for protections under Chapters 149 and 151 (like minimum wage and overtime). The change clarifies the standard for worker classification but does not create new benefits or penalties.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill redefines contractor status to expand employee protections, requiring stricter criteria for independent classification, directly advancing worker rights under labor laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 927: An Act relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2011) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates overtime pay for agricultural laborers, expanding worker protections and benefits under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 928: An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2012) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish fairness for agricultural laborers. Revenue.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill establishes fairness for agricultural laborers, a sector heavily reliant on immigrant workers, aligning with protections for immigrant rights and labor standards.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill title 'fairness for agricultural laborers' directly aligns with protecting worker rights and improving employment conditions in labor context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 507: An Act relative to compliance with the prevailing wage laws of the Commonwealth

HD 507 extends Massachusetts' prevailing wage requirements to offsite fabrication work for public construction projects. It requires contractors to pay prevailing wages for prefabricated items like pipes, electrical systems, or modular units made offsite, and to include specific payroll details in weekly reports (e.g., facility location, worker names, hours, and wages). This applies to all public projects covered by existing wage laws, ensuring offsite manufacturing work meets the same labor standards as on-site construction. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends prevailing wage requirements to offsite fabrication, mandating fair wages and payroll transparency for workers on public projects, strengthening labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 872: An Act to strengthen the state home care program workforce

This bill requires home care agencies providing state-funded home care services to enter into labor peace agreements with labor organizations representing their workers, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. Agencies must submit regular attestations to the Department of Elder Affairs detailing their labor relations status, including whether agreements exist, negotiations are underway, or no union representation is sought. Failure to comply may result in contract termination and a four-year ban on future state contracts for repeated violations. The policy directly affects home care agencies, workers, and the state's home care program participants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires labor agreements for home care agencies to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, strengthening state-funded healthcare workforce stability and continuity of care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates labor peace agreements with unions, ensuring collective bargaining rights and protecting worker representation in home care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2827: An Act relative to meeting human service demand by modernizing incentives for the direct care workforce

This bill sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff wages meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data), with salary increases for these roles tied to this benchmark. The law specifically excludes top executives (like CEOs and CFOs) from these wage requirements. It also mandates transparent calculation of fringe benefits and payroll costs for providers, and ensures compliance won't reduce funding for existing social service programs. The changes take effect 180 days after enactment, with a planning process starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets higher wage standards for direct care workers, requiring wages meet 75th percentile benchmark and mandates transparent payroll calculations for this workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2526: An Act to protect workers from extreme temperatures

This bill establishes new workplace safety standards to protect workers from extreme heat and cold. It requires employers to provide paid rest breaks, free cool drinking water (under 75°F), adequate shade or warmth, and training for supervisors and staff when temperatures reach defined thresholds (80°F+ for heat, 60°F- for cold). The law specifically covers all workers - including farmworkers, day laborers, part-time staff, and temporary employees - regardless of immigration status, and mandates acclimatization plans for new workers during their first week on the job. Employers must implement engineering controls (like ventilation) and administrative controls (such as adjusted work schedules) to reduce temperature-related risks.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly covers all workers 'regardless of immigration status' with workplace protections, directly protecting immigrant workers' rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates workplace safety standards for extreme temperatures, including paid breaks, hydration, shade/warmth, and training for all workers regardless of status, directly improving workplace safety protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1323: An Act relative to workplace safety and disclosure of violations

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1323) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to workplace safety and disclosure of violations. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates disclosure of workplace safety violations, strengthening worker protections and transparency in safety compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development Workplace Safety

Track