Labor & Employment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2009: An Act promoting an adjunct bill of rights

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 940) of Paul W. Mark, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve the working conditions and benefits of part-time and adjunct faculty at public institutions of higher education Commonwealth. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to improve working conditions and benefits for part-time adjunct faculty at public colleges, directly advancing labor rights for this workforce group.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1953: An Act relative to providing fairness and equity in the retirement benefits of employees of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, sewer departments, sewer districts, water and sewer departments and districts, and wastewater facilities

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1799) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to providing fairness and equity in the retirement benefits of employees of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, sewer departments, sewer districts, water and sewer departments and districts, and wastewater facilities. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to provide fairness in retirement benefits for public sector employees, advancing employment standards by protecting a core worker benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1423: An Act relative to the SMART plan

This bill modifies Massachusetts' deferred compensation program for state employees and government agencies. It establishes an automatic enrollment feature for new state employees hired on or after June 1, 2022 (and new employees of other government bodies hired after June 1, 2024), requiring no prior employee authorization. Key provisions include automatic annual salary deferral increases unless opted out, a 90-day window to discontinue participation, and requirements for default investment options. The change exempts automatic enrollment from standard payroll deduction authorization rules under the Massachusetts Wage Act. It directly affects all new state and local government employees participating in deferred compensation programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAutomatic enrollment in deferred compensation expands retirement benefits for state employees, advancing worker financial security under Labor & Employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 785: An Act providing fair and equitable line of duty death benefits for public employees

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1911) of John C. Velis for legislation to provide fair and equitable line of duty death benefits for public employees. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides death benefits for public employees injured/deceased on duty, expanding worker benefits and protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2096: An Act to secure housing for returning citizens

SD 2096 creates a state program to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure housing after release. It requires state housing agencies and programs to prioritize housing for people transitioning from prison, including providing housing vouchers and connecting them to short-term and permanent housing options. The law mandates annual reviews of housing programs to track who benefits, ensure compliance with priority rules, and gather feedback from returning citizens and community organizations. It amends multiple housing statutes (including Chapters 40, 40B, and 40H) to include this priority requirement for housing projects receiving state funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates housing program for returning citizens, reducing recidivism by addressing reentry barriers - directly supports criminal justice reform90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing agencies to prioritize formerly incarcerated individuals with vouchers and housing connections, directly advancing affordable housing access for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentHousing assistance for returning citizens addresses a key barrier to employment, supporting workforce reintegration and aligning with labor/employment goals of reducing barriers to work.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1057: An Act mandating access to cancer screenings for firefighters through health care benefits plans or programs provided by the public employer

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 690) of Brendan P. Crighton, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation to mandate access to cancer screenings for firefighters through health care benefits plans or programs provided by the public employer. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cancer screenings for firefighters via public employer health plans, expanding preventive care access under healthcare coverage.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates cancer screenings for firefighters via employer health benefits, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for high-risk public safety workers.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2132: An Act prohibiting body size discrimination

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1249) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to prohibit body size discrimination. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits body size discrimination in workplaces, directly protecting workers' rights under labor policies as per bill's explicit intent.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1625: An Act requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1729) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to require human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires human trafficking recognition training for hospitality workers, enhancing workplace safety and protecting workers from exploitation per Labor & Employment topic.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2269: An Act providing for prompt health insurance benefits for municipal employees

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 755) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation related to health insurance benefits for municipal employees. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely health insurance benefits for municipal employees, expanding access to coverage and ensuring prompt benefits under health insurance provisions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides prompt health insurance benefits for municipal employees, expanding worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1639: An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1718) of Joan B. Lovely, Vanna Howard, Hannah Kane, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to require health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires health care employers to implement workplace violence prevention programs, directly enhancing worker safety protections in a high-risk sector.95% confidence

Track