Labor & Employment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 964: An Act relative to the requirement of explosive gas sensor devices

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1710) of John F. Keenan for legislation relative to the requirement of explosive gas sensor devices in buildings owned or operated by the commonwealth. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires explosive gas sensors in commonwealth buildings, improving workplace safety for workers in state-operated facilities.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2257: An Act relative to the health of correctional employees

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1785) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to the health of correctional employees. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses correctional employee health, directly improving workplace safety standards for a specific labor group90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2215: Resolve establishing a special commission on paid family and medical leave for public employees

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1293) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a special commission on paid family and medical leave for public employees. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates commission to study paid family/medical leave for public employees, directly advancing worker benefits under Labor & Employment topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees Workforce Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1938: An Act relative to the Department of Unemployment Assistance Advisory Council

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1341) of Patricia D. Jehlen relative to the Department of Unemployment Assistance Advisory Council. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes Advisory Council for Unemployment Assistance under Labor and Workforce Development, directly supporting worker benefits and unemployment system oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 256: An Act to provide fair and affordable public retiree benefits

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1817) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide fair and affordable public retiree benefits. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill funds public retiree benefits, requiring state budget allocation for essential retiree program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides fair public retiree benefits, expanding worker post-employment security and benefits under Labor & Employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1861: An Act relative to suicide prevention signage at construction site workplaces

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1317) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to suicide prevention signage at construction site workplaces. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates suicide prevention signage at construction sites, directly enhancing workplace safety standards under Labor & Workforce Development jurisdiction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1371: An Act establishing a board of hoisting machinery regulations

HD 1371 creates a new six-member "Board of Hoisting Machinery Regulations" within Massachusetts' Department of Labor. The board, appointed by the governor, includes a safety inspector (chair), a public utility worker, a construction contractor, a safety trainer, an OSHA expert, and a union representative with five years' experience. This board will establish licensing rules for hoisting machinery operators, including training requirements, supervision protocols for apprentices, and procedures for license issuance, renewal, denial, or revocation based on safety violations. The bill directly affects apprentice and operator license holders and the safety training industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates safety-focused board to set licensing/training for machinery operators, directly improving workplace safety standards per OSHA expert and union rep inclusion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1412: An Act relative to workers' compensation

This bill amends Massachusetts workers' compensation law to clarify when benefits may be suspended. It directly affects injured workers who are medically cleared to return to work but refuse to do so. The key provision states that if a registered physician determines an employee is fit to return to work and the employee refuses, their right to compensation is suspended, and any compensation during that suspension period may be forfeited. The change creates a specific mechanism for withholding benefits when an employee declines a work opportunity deemed safe by a medical professional. This policy adjustment aims to align benefit eligibility with medical clearance and return-to-work obligations.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts workers' compensation benefits (insurance coverage) by suspending payments when injured workers refuse to return to work after medical clearance.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill suspends workers' compensation benefits if medically cleared employees refuse to return to work, restricting access to benefits and weakening protections for injured workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workers' Compensation

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 838: An Act fostering artificial intelligence responsibility

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 35) of Dylan A. Fernandes and Michael D. Brady for legislation to promote employee physical and mental health and wellbeing by limiting the use of electronic monitoring tools. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill limits electronic monitoring to promote employee physical/mental health, directly advancing worker wellbeing and rights under Labor & Employment.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly limits electronic monitoring tools (a technology) to promote employee health, restricting a specific technology application.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 879: An Act to strengthen the long-term care workforce and capital trust fund

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 493) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to strengthen the long-term care workforce and capital trust fund. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to 'strengthen the long-term care workforce' via capital trust fund, directly advancing labor & employment standards through workforce support and funding.95% confidence

Track