Labor & Employment

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

S 3132: An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers

Senate, July 9, 2026 -- The committee on Revenue to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2012) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish fairness for agricultural laborers, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3132).

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to establish fairness for agricultural laborers, implying protections for workers' rights and employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 3184: Amendment S.3184

Senate, July 16, 2026 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence (House, No. 4767, amended) (being the text of Senate document numbered 3171, printed as amended)

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates workplace violence prevention programs, directly improving workplace safety and protecting worker rights.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 5551: An Act providing for fairness and equity for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees

This bill modifies the rules governing disciplinary actions for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees. It changes the standard for firing or punishing staff from "arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable grounds" to the stricter requirement of "just cause." This update ensures that employees can only be disciplined if there is a valid, fair reason for the action, rather than allowing broader interpretations of misconduct. The change directly affects the workforce of the water authority and alters how their employment disputes are handled under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens worker protections by raising the disciplinary standard from arbitrary grounds to 'just cause', ensuring fair treatment for employees.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SD 4046: Order relative to considering House Bill, No. 4767 during the Senate Session of July 16, 2026

This bill is a procedural order that schedules House Bill 4767 for immediate consideration in the Senate on July 16, 2026. It allows the Senate to vote on a version of the bill that has been amended by the Ways and Means Committee to require health care employers to create workplace violence prevention programs. The order also sets specific rules for how amendments can be made during the debate, permitting changes to the new text and allowing further amendments to those changes. This document does not change the law itself but rather manages the legislative process to ensure the bill is reviewed and voted on at the scheduled time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates workplace violence prevention programs for healthcare employers, enhancing safety and protecting medical professionals.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates workplace violence prevention programs for health care employers, directly enhancing workplace safety and protecting worker rights.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6289: An Act relative to the disability retirement of Michael D. Chapdelaine, a police officer in the city known as the town of West Springfield

This bill increases the monthly disability pension for retired West Springfield police officer Michael D. Chapdelaine, who was permanently incapacitated by injuries sustained in 2000. The legislation raises his allowance to 100% of his original compensation rate and allows him to work without penalty at up to half his pension amount, provided he does not work for the government. Additionally, the act establishes specific survivor benefits for his spouse and unmarried children if he passes away before them. These financial adjustments are designed to support Chapdelaine and his family while he receives his disability retirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases disability pension and allows work without penalty, expanding benefits for a worker injured on the job.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 4, 2026

H 5631: An Act mandating access to cancer screenings for firefighters through health care benefits plans or programs provided by the public employer

This bill mandates that health care plans for firefighters in Massachusetts cover specific cancer screenings without charging co-payments or deductibles. It requires these screenings to begin three years after a firefighter starts their job and to be repeated every three years while they are employed. The law specifies that the exams must check for various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and applies to firefighters working for the state, cities, towns, and certain military bases. While the bill generally prohibits out-of-pocket costs, it allows for cost-sharing only if federal tax laws require it to maintain the plan's tax-exempt status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates cancer screenings for firefighters with no co-pays or deductibles, expanding access and protecting patient rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands health benefits for firefighters by mandating cancer screenings, directly strengthening worker protections and benefits.95% confidence

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Aug 31, 2026

H 5528: An Act establishing a sick leave bank for Edward Gillen

By Representative McMurtry of Dedham and Senator Rush, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Paul McMurtry and Michael F. Rush for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Edward Gillen, an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a sick leave bank for an employee, expanding worker benefits and protecting health rights.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 3109: Amendment S.3109

Senate, June 4, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the House Bill relative to benefits for teachers (House, No. 4361) (also based on Senate, No. 1884); reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of Senate document numbered 3109.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly amends legislation to provide benefits for teachers, which directly supports educators and strengthens the education workforce.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill amends legislation to provide benefits for teachers, directly expanding worker benefits within the education sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 5488: Amendment H.5488

This bill requires the Department of Fire Services to create a public database tracking code violations and fines related to hot work safety rules. The department must collect data on specific issues, such as individuals performing hot work without proper training certification or failing to follow permit requirements. Once established, the database will be accessible online and will automatically notify property owners and insurance companies when violations occur. This measure aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding hot work compliance without changing the underlying safety laws themselves.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety by enforcing hot work regulations and tracking violations, directly protecting workers from unsafe conditions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6257: An Act authorizing the town of Warren to continue the employment of Steven Perkins

This bill allows Steven Perkins, a member of the Warren fire department, to continue working until he reaches age 70 or retires, whichever comes first. Under the law, the town can require him to undergo a medical exam to ensure he remains physically and mentally capable of performing his duties. Additionally, the bill ensures that Perkins does not lose retirement benefits due to working past age 65 and will receive a pension equal to what he would have gotten if he had retired at 65.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill extends employment and pension benefits for a firefighter, protecting worker rights and ensuring financial security through age 70.85% confidence

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