Labor & Employment (Workforce Development)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2106: An Act relative to bereavement leave

H 2106 would amend the state's family and medical leave law to add bereavement leave as a qualifying reason for taking time off work. This change would allow eligible employees to take leave when a family member (such as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling) dies, covering time for funeral arrangements or personal grieving. The bill expands the existing law - which already provides leave for medical and family care needs - to specifically include bereavement. It directly affects employees covered under the state's leave program, typically those working for employers with 50 or more staff.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands family leave to include bereavement, granting workers time off for family member death. Directly increases worker benefits and protects rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

H 2121: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and for ensuring a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill (H 2121) helps apprentices complete their training programs by addressing barriers that prevent them from finishing. It directly affects apprentices seeking skilled trades careers and employers needing qualified workers in Massachusetts. Key provisions include streamlining training pathways and ensuring support systems to help apprentices finish their programs on time. The goal is to strengthen the state's skilled workforce by making apprenticeship completion more accessible and reliable.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill streamlines apprenticeship pathways to strengthen workforce development and employment standards for skilled trades workers, directly advancing labor/employment goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1417: An Act relative to a green energy track in vocational schools

This bill creates a grant program to establish clean energy workforce training tracks in Massachusetts vocational schools. It directly affects vocational school students (especially low-income individuals, women, minorities, and environmental justice populations), employers in clean energy and climate technology sectors, and educational institutions. Key provisions include funding collaborative partnerships between schools, employers, and workforce organizations to provide job readiness training, employer matchmaking, and support for underrepresented groups in high-demand clean energy jobs. The program requires detailed grant proposals with specific goals, budget plans, and annual reporting on participant outcomes to the state legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding clean energy workforce training in vocational schools, directly allocating budget resources to advance workforce development programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program for clean energy workforce training in vocational schools, funding educational access and job readiness for underrepresented groups.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates grant program for clean energy workforce training, directly advancing renewable energy sector development and job creation in clean energy fields.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds clean energy workforce training, directly advancing environmental protection through job readiness programs in climate technology sectors.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates grant program for clean energy workforce training targeting underrepresented groups (low-income, women, minorities), directly advancing employment opportunities through job readiness training and employer partnerships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Renewable Energy Environmental Justice Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3164: An Act to establish the micro business employee training and workforce development program

HD 3164 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts employers with 10 or fewer employees who hire formerly incarcerated individuals (within 5 years of release) or people receiving transitional assistance under Chapter 18. Employers receive a $2,000 annual tax credit per eligible hire, plus phased training funds ranging from $15,000 to $9,000 over five years. The program is funded by dedicating 15% of several existing state justice and reentry program budgets to a new trust fund. It directly affects small Massachusetts businesses and supports job placement for two specific vulnerable groups. The credit is available for 10 years if the employee remains employed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,000 annual tax credit for small employers hiring vulnerable workers, directly reducing tax burden via existing budget reallocation. Aligns with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax credits for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism through employment support, funded by justice program budgets.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credits and training funds to hire formerly incarcerated and transitional assistance recipients, advancing employment opportunities for marginalized workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3699: An Act to establish an apprenticeship program to ready vacant public housing apartments for occupancy

This bill establishes the Brooke Public Housing Apprenticeship program to train public housing residents in skills needed to prepare vacant apartments for occupancy. It requires the state housing and labor offices to create a training program developed with input from housing authorities, residents, and industry groups, focusing on job skills, placement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program directly affects public housing residents (by offering training and jobs) and public housing authorities (by providing trained workers to prepare units efficiently). It authorizes labor department grants to fund the apprenticeship program, aiming to speed up reoccupancy while making better use of housing capital funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates apprenticeship program training public housing residents to prepare vacant apartments, directly advancing affordable housing access and resident self-sufficiency through job skills development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes apprenticeship program providing job skills training and placement for public housing residents, advancing employment opportunities and self-sufficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2059: An Act providing for natural gas workforce safety

SD 2059 requires Massachusetts natural gas companies to develop and submit "just transition plans" to the Department of Public Utilities. These plans must detail how the companies will maintain safe pipeline operations, retain sufficient staffing levels (at or above January 2022 levels unless through collective bargaining or approved reductions), provide workforce training for the shift to net-zero energy, and prevent employee displacement during the transition. The bill also mandates that gas companies establish service quality standards covering safety, infrastructure repairs, and employee training, while requiring them to file infrastructure replacement plans focused on reducing leaks and improving public safety. Additionally, it creates a 60-day timeline for resolving small customer claims under $100 and requires biannual reports on consumer claims to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates natural gas companies to develop transition plans for shift to net-zero energy, requiring workforce training and preventing displacement, supporting clean energy transition.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires just transition plans to prevent displacement, maintain staffing (≥2022 levels), and provide training - directly protects workers' rights during energy transition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2780: An Act to make data on workforce development outcomes public and accessible

This bill requires Massachusetts workforce development agencies to publicly share standardized data on program outcomes, including participant demographics, training participation, and wage data, to improve program evaluation and equity. It establishes clear procedures for requesting this data (with 30-day processing timelines), mandates quarterly wage reports for job training programs, and requires agencies to post all request guidelines online. The law directly affects workforce boards (like Masshire), state agencies, researchers, and organizations seeking to assess program effectiveness while protecting individual privacy through aggregate data sharing. It also creates a task force to enhance data systems for tracking workforce education outcomes and cross-agency collaboration by 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires public data sharing on workforce program outcomes to enhance equity and evaluation, strengthening transparency in labor market programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Feb 18, 2025

HD 4374: A communication from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (see Section 2WWW of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitiveness Fund for fiscal year 2024

This is not a legislative bill but a procedural communication from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. It formally submits the Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitiveness Fund (WCTF) for fiscal year 2024, which supports workforce training and education programs. The fund directly assists Massachusetts workers and job seekers by funding programs like healthcare training (e.g., certified nurse assistants, pharmacy technicians) and career pathways. The communication was placed on file on February 18, 2025, as part of routine administrative submission for the existing program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSubmits WCTF fund for FY2024, funding workforce training essential to public services and economic development.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training programs (e.g., healthcare certifications) for Massachusetts workers, directly supporting employment skills development and job placement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1144: An Act relative to workforce training

This bill requires all Massachusetts employers to adopt written anti-harassment policies by January 1, 2027, and provide annual training to employees on preventing unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment). It mandates training content covering legal requirements, examples of harassment, bystander intervention, internal/external remedies, and supervisory responsibilities, with specific standards for interactive and anonymous question features in online sessions. Employers must maintain records of training completion for five years. The law applies to all employers in Massachusetts, with tailored examples required for businesses with 100+ employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates anti-harassment policies and annual training to protect workers from unlawful harassment, directly advancing workplace safety and rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2305: An Act promoting a just transition and clean energy workforce standards

This bill (SD 2305) requires Massachusetts gas distribution and transmission companies to develop and submit detailed "just transition" plans to the Department of Public Utilities. These plans must ensure workforce retention, training, and safety during the shift to clean energy, including maintaining staffing levels as of January 1, 2025 (except through negotiated early retirement), and outlining how companies will train workers for renewable energy roles. Companies must report on workforce development, cross-training, pension solvency, and measures to prevent job displacement through 2050 or until gas pipeline retirement. The bill directly affects all gas companies operating in Massachusetts and mandates compliance with new service quality standards for safety, reliability, and workforce transition.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires gas companies to develop clean energy workforce transition plans, ensuring training and retention for renewable roles, advancing shift from fossil fuels.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires workforce retention, training, and safety plans during clean energy transition, protecting workers' rights and job security through mandated staffing levels and retraining.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Renewable Energy Workforce Development

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