Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 21, 2025

SD 2188: An Act establishing a commission to limit first responder radiation exposure

This bill establishes a special commission in Massachusetts to study radiation exposure risks for first responders. The commission will examine how technologies emitting radiation (from 0 to 300 gigahertz) affect police, firefighters, and emergency personnel, including current exposure levels, new communication systems like FirstNet, and health impacts. It will identify engineering solutions, safety improvements, and best practices to reduce radiation exposure, while ensuring emergency services remain effective. The commission must submit an initial report by December 2026 and a final report by March 2027. The bill does not enact new regulations but directs a fact-finding process to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2873: An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act

HD 2873 requires Massachusetts housing authorities using funds from chapter 150 of the 2024 acts to follow specific procurement rules when renovating or repairing public housing properties. For contracts under $10,000, authorities must use "sound business practices" and document vendor details; for larger contracts, they must use competitive bidding or request for proposals with public notice. The bill mandates including prevailing wage requirements, requiring bidders to submit eligibility certificates, and specifying evaluation criteria in writing. These rules apply directly to housing authorities managing properties funded by the designated capital allocation.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1461: An Act relative to veterans' buyback

This bill (HD 1461) allows veterans who are current members of state retirement systems to purchase military service time for retirement credit, even if they missed the original 180-day deadline. It directly affects veterans in service who failed to make this purchase within the initial timeframe under Chapter 32 of the General Laws. The key provision creates a one-time opportunity for these veterans to apply within one year of the bill's effective date, and requires retirement systems to notify all eligible members in service within 90 days of the law taking effect. This change modifies existing rules to provide a second chance for veterans to count military service toward their retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2497: An Act improving safety measures for highway maintenance personnel

This bill amends Massachusetts law to enhance safety protections for highway maintenance workers. It adds a specific provision requiring that all authorized motor vehicles used by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) or its contractors in highway work zones must have a permit issued by the registrar. The change directly affects DOT personnel and contractors performing maintenance or construction activities in active highway work zones. The key mechanism is explicitly including these vehicles under the safety regulations governing work zone operations. This is a technical update to existing law, not a new policy initiative.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1523: An Act relative to railroad crew transportation

This bill (HD 1523) establishes safety regulations for vehicles transporting railroad crews in Massachusetts. It requires the MassDOT Rail and Transit Division to set rules for contract crew transportation vehicles (max 15 passengers), including driver safety training (4+ hours), minimum insurance ($5 million liability), and clear safety complaint notices in vehicles. The law mandates data collection on safety incidents and allows MassDOT to enforce penalties, suspend operations, or deny contracts for violations. It directly affects railroad companies, their transportation contractors, drivers, and railroad employees who use these vehicles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3185: An Act relative to disability or death cause by contagious disease; presumption

This bill creates a legal presumption that certain contagious diseases (like COVID-19, Hepatitis, TB, or HIV) contracted by full-time police, fire, or emergency medical workers were incurred in the line of duty, if the worker passed a physical exam when hired and regularly responded to service calls. It allows these workers to claim benefits under Chapters 32, 41, or 152 of the General Laws within five years of leaving service, with benefits retroactive to their last regular pay date. The presumption applies only to diseases transmitted through blood or bodily fluids (excluding the common cold) and can be overturned if non-work causes are proven. It specifically covers diseases the health commissioner identifies as statistically linked to these emergency services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4178: An Act creating parity for mental and behavioral health services

This bill requires all health insurance policies in Massachusetts - covering MassHealth, group plans, and individual policies - to provide equal coverage for mental health and behavioral health treatment as for physical health conditions. It mandates that insurers cover "medically necessary treatment for any mental disorder, including autism spectrum disorder," as defined by standard medical manuals (DSM/ICD), without discrimination. The law also prohibits disability insurance from excluding or limiting benefits for conditions related to mental health or substance use. These requirements apply to all policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Massachusetts residents with health insurance, ensuring parity in access to mental health care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Mental Health

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1919: An Act amending credible service of the State Staff

HD 1919 allows veterans who previously served as State Staff members (as defined in Chapter 33, Section 15) to adjust their retirement compensation. Specifically, it permits them to add a 10% makeup payment for each year they received a housing or subsistence allowance that was not included in their original retirement calculation. This applies to veterans who served on State Staff for the prior three years. The change directly affects eligible veterans by increasing their regular annual retirement compensation based on excluded past allowances. The bill modifies how certain allowances are counted toward retirement benefits for this specific group.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3968: An Act relative to employees of the Dedham Westwood Water District

This bill allows employees of the Dedham Westwood Water District who are part of the Norfolk County Retirement System to purchase additional service time to increase their retirement benefits. It requires the retirement system to first seek a legal determination from the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission's tax counsel, confirming the purchase won't violate federal tax rules for qualified pension systems. If approved, the retirement system must notify members of their eligibility and costs within 60 days, giving them 120 days to pay for the service either in a lump sum or through installments. The bill directly affects eligible water district employees participating in the Norfolk County Retirement System.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1514: An Act relative to hot box detectors

This bill requires hot box detectors to be installed every 20 miles along all tracks used by passenger trains. New rail construction projects must include these detectors, and existing tracks must add them within one year of the law's passage. The measure directly affects rail operators responsible for passenger train routes in the Commonwealth. It mandates a specific safety infrastructure requirement without altering funding or operational procedures.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

All labor & employment bills