Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 2163: An Act clarifying the process for paying the wages of dismissed employees

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2163) of Jeffrey N. Roy relative to clarifying the process for paying the wages of dismissed employees. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies wage payment process for dismissed employees, ensuring timely compensation and protecting workers' rights under Labor and Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 2073: An Act to prohibit mandatory overtime

By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2073) of Daniel Cahill and others for legislation to prohibit health care worker mandatory overtime. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory overtime for healthcare workers, reducing burnout and improving patient care quality - directly supports healthcare workforce stability and safety.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits mandatory overtime for healthcare workers, directly protecting workers' rights and improving workplace safety in labor context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 1322: An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a public health "State of Emergency" declaration

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1322) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to provide hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a "State of Emergency" declaration. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides hazard pay and safety protections for essential workers, directly advancing wage and workplace safety standards during emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3052: An Act to protect hospital workers from being deprived of their wages

This bill (HD 3052) amends Massachusetts wage law to ensure certain hospital workers receive regular weekly pay. It removes an exemption that previously allowed hospital workers who were shareholders in co-operative associations or casual employees of government entities (like cities, towns, or the Commonwealth) to be paid less frequently. The change requires these workers to be paid weekly, aligning them with standard wage payment rules. This directly affects hospital workers in co-ops and government hospital casual roles who were previously excluded from weekly pay requirements. The amendment applies to Section 148 of Chapter 149 of the General Laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates weekly pay for hospital workers previously exempt, protecting wage rights per title and summary, directly advancing labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 330: An Act protecting honest employers by creating construction private attorney general actions

HD 330 creates a new legal mechanism allowing certain entities to sue construction employers who fail to pay wages on behalf of the Commonwealth. Specifically, "Interested Parties" (including other construction employers, labor organizations, or affected employees) can file lawsuits to recover triple the unpaid wages plus a 20% surcharge. The surcharge funds a wage enforcement program used by the Attorney General to enforce wage laws, educate workers and employers, and provide emergency loans to affected employees for housing, heat, or food. This directly targets wage non-payment in construction projects, aiming to stop unfair competition from employers who underpay workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates mechanism to recover unpaid wages via lawsuits, funds wage enforcement program for worker education and enforcement, directly strengthening wage protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 476: An Act relative to time and a half wages

This bill standardizes overtime pay language in Massachusetts law by changing references from inconsistent fractional terms (like "one and two-tenths") to the standard "one and one-half" (1.5x) rate for eligible workers. It directly affects most hourly workers covered by Massachusetts overtime laws and their employers, ensuring consistent application of the 1.5x overtime rate. The bill amends specific sections of Chapter 136 to replace outdated phrasing and repeals related sections from a 2018 law that contained the inconsistent terms. This is a technical correction to clarify existing overtime requirements, not a new policy change.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStandardizes overtime pay language to 1.5x, ensuring consistent application and protecting workers' right to receive correct overtime compensation under existing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 2117: An Act relative to protecting wages of deceased employees

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2117) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to wages of deceased employees. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects deceased employees' earned wages, advancing worker compensation rights under Labor & Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 671: An Act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card

This bill (HD 671) sets rules for employers using payroll cards to pay wages in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees who receive pay via these cards, requiring employers to: 1) Allow at least one free withdrawal per pay period (up to full net wages), 2) Disclose all card fees upfront (except third-party fees), and 3) Provide free, easy access to check account balances (via phone or online). The law aligns with federal protections under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prevent hidden fees and ensure wage access.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers' rights by requiring free withdrawals, fee transparency, and balance access for electronic wage card users, aligning with federal wage protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 915: An Act relative to railroad workers' earned sick time

This bill requires private railroad companies, their contractors, and the rail and transit division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (when providing rail service) to provide earned sick time to their workers. It mandates compliance with the existing minimum sick leave standards outlined in Section 148c of Chapter 149, which applies to most Massachusetts workers. The law directly affects railroad employees covered by these entities, ensuring they receive sick leave benefits consistent with state law for non-railroad workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires railroad workers to receive earned sick time benefits, expanding existing sick leave protections under Mass. law for covered employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1853: An Act relative to protecting wages of deceased employees

HD 1853 ensures that unpaid wages owed to a deceased employee are paid directly to their family members or designated individuals without requiring court probate. It establishes a specific payment order: surviving spouse first, then adult children (or their guardian), parents, siblings, or a person who paid funeral expenses. Employers must pay upon a "proper demand" (a sworn affidavit with proof of death, relationship, and funeral costs if applicable) and retain all documentation with the employee's record. This payment fully releases the employer from future liability for those wages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures unpaid wages of deceased employees are paid directly to family without probate, protecting workers' financial rights and extending wage protections to dependents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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