Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1529: An Act relative to disability or death cause by contagious disease; presumption

This bill creates a legal presumption that certain contagious diseases contracted by full-time police, fire, or emergency medical service workers were incurred during their duties, if they passed required physical exams upon entry and had no pre-existing condition. It applies to diseases like COVID-19, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV - those linked to exposure to blood or bodily fluids - excluding the common cold. Workers must apply within five years of leaving active service and demonstrate they regularly responded to emergency calls during their tenure. Benefits, if approved, would cover disability or death claims under existing workers' compensation laws (Chapters 32, 41, 152).

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates legal presumption for work-related disease claims by first responders, strengthening occupational safety protections and benefit eligibility for high-risk workers.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 15, 2025

H 24: An Act clarifying the Chapter 32 definition of wages

So much of the recommendations of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (House, No. 18) as relates to clarifying the Chapter 32 definition of wages

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies wage definition for retirement benefits, ensuring accurate compensation calculations and protecting worker benefits under employment standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2133: An Act relative to construction zone speed control systems

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1784) of John C. Velis and Michael J. Finn for legislation to increase safety in highways work zones by implementing work zone speed cameras. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill implements speed cameras in work zones to enhance construction worker safety, directly improving workplace safety standards.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill implements work zone speed cameras to enhance highway safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1394: An Act relative to creating the Massachusetts Against Discrimination Fund

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2014) of Adam Gomez for legislation to establish voluntary contribution check-off boxes on state tax returns to provide financial assistance to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to enforce anti-discrimination laws, strengthening worker protection in employment.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1826: An Act providing retirement benefits for for caregivers at the Soldiers' Homes

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1823) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to retirement benefits for care givers at the Soldiers' Homes. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides retirement benefits for caregivers at Soldiers' Homes, expanding worker benefits for a specific employment group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides retirement benefits for caregivers at Soldiers' Homes, strengthening veterans' care infrastructure and services.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4025: An Act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease

HD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends disability benefits to additional police forces, supporting officer welfare within law enforcement - a key component of criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends disability benefits for cardiac disease (a healthcare condition) to additional police forces, expanding healthcare access for covered officers with specific health needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends disability benefits to additional police officer groups, expanding worker benefits under employment protections for covered entities previously excluded.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2686: An Act relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This bill establishes a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in certain public safety employees was caused by their job duties, if diagnosed within five years of leaving service and not present at the time of hiring. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, airport crash crews, and military fire department members. Under the bill, these employees can receive benefits as if the PTSD occurred "in the line of duty" unless their employer proves it resulted from non-work factors like disciplinary actions. Benefits would be paid retroactively from the date the employee last received regular compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes presumption for PTSD benefits in public safety workers, strengthening workplace injury protections for mental health conditions.95% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1635: An Act relative to the equality of wage and recruitment of the Massachusetts State Police

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1783) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to the equality of wage and recruitment of the Massachusetts State Police. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses wage equality for Massachusetts State Police officers, advancing fair compensation within public employment.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2269: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill requires contractors and subcontractors working on construction projects over $1 million in Massachusetts to gradually increase the proportion of labor hours performed by apprentices in approved training programs. Starting six months after enactment, 5% of applicable labor hours must be completed by apprentices, rising to 10% after one year and 15% after two years. It applies to all trades where workers receive hourly wages and are subject to prevailing wage laws, mandating compliance with programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Training. The law directly affects large construction projects by setting specific, time-bound apprenticeship requirements for contractors and subcontractors.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates increased apprentice hours for skilled workforce development, advancing worker training and employment opportunities under prevailing wage laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2326: An Act providing for a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential public health and safety employees

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1802) of Nick Collins for legislation to provide for a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential first responders employees. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides retirement credit benefit to essential workers, expanding employment-related financial protections for public safety personnel.95% confidence

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