Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4151: An Act enabling employees on unpaid parental leave to purchase creditable service

This bill allows public employees on unpaid parental leave (for birth or adoption) to count that leave time toward their retirement service. Employees who took leave exceeding one month can pay into their retirement fund - either as a lump sum or installments - to make the leave period "creditable" for retirement benefits. The buyback is limited to a maximum of two years of unpaid leave and must be completed before retirement begins. This change directly affects state or local government workers using extended unpaid parental leave.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3989: An Act relative to certain option B and option C retirees

This bill increases monthly retirement allowances for certain pre-2004 retirees who chose lower-option benefits (Option B or C) under Massachusetts state retirement systems. Specifically, Option C retirees receive $200 (state employees) or $290 (teachers) more per month, while Option B retirees get $66 (state employees) or $97 (teachers) more, with other systems capped at $200. Retirement systems must approve the changes via board vote (state systems are already accepting them), and the increases apply prospectively from the bill's effective date without retroactive payments. The policy directly affects retirees in state employees', teachers', and other chapter 32/34B retirement systems who retired before July 1, 2004 under these specific benefit options.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2753: An Act relative to HVAC safety accountability and public transparency

This bill requires HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) companies and technicians in Massachusetts to be held accountable when negligence causes carbon monoxide poisoning or death. It gives the state licensing board authority to impose fines, suspend, or revoke licenses for such incidents, and mandates mandatory reviews after serious safety failures. The bill also creates a public website listing suspended or revoked licenses with details of the violations, increasing transparency. Additionally, it prohibits individuals or companies with revoked licenses from obtaining new licenses under different names without disclosing past violations. These changes directly affect HVAC professionals and companies operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2474: An Act elevating the National Guard to a cabinet level position

This bill reorganizes state government by elevating the National Guard to a cabinet-level position. It creates an "Executive Office of the Military Division" under the Adjutant General, who gains secretary-level authority. The bill transfers all employees, property, and responsibilities from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to this new office (or vice versa), ensuring no loss of seniority, benefits, or union representation during the transition. It directly affects state government agencies and employees handling military and public safety functions. The change modifies specific sections of the General Laws to reflect this structural shift.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3445: An Act expanding access to retirement savings

This bill expands retirement savings access for new state and local government employees in Massachusetts. It requires automatic enrollment in the state's retirement savings plan for all new commonwealth employees hired on or after June 1, 2024, without needing prior employee authorization. Key provisions include a 90-day opt-out period, automatic annual contribution increases (unless declined), and limits to IRS-safeguarded contribution levels. The plan must provide clear notices and include a default investment option for automatically enrolled participants. Existing employees and agencies choosing not to implement the feature are not affected.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4070: An Act relative to special state police officers

HD 4070 allows the state police colonel to appoint retired uniformed state police officers as "special state police officers" under specific conditions. To qualify, retired officers must have an honorable discharge, meet the colonel’s suitability standards, and obtain certification from the police training commission. These appointed officers serve as at-will employees for one-year terms (renewable at the colonel’s discretion), without civil service protections or benefits, but are treated as department members for certain purposes like liability coverage under Chapter 258. The bill directly affects retired state police personnel seeking temporary reemployment in active duty roles.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Public Employees Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3225: An Act expanding truck safety requirements

HD 3225 requires large trucks (class 3 or above, over 10,000 pounds gross weight) operated by municipalities, Commonwealth agencies, electric companies, gas companies, utilities, and wireless providers to install lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras by January 1, 2028. The bill mandates these safety upgrades for vehicles leased, purchased, or operated under contract with the specified entities. The registrar of motor vehicles will establish standards based on federal guidelines, with exemptions for ambulances, firefighting vehicles, agricultural tractors, and low-speed vehicles. This law directly affects commercial fleets serving public and utility sectors, aiming to improve road safety through standardized equipment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3175: An Act relative to creating the massachusetts against discrimination fund

This bill creates the Massachusetts Against Discrimination Fund to support the Commission Against Discrimination in investigating and resolving unlawful discrimination claims. The fund will be financed primarily through voluntary check-off contributions on state income tax returns (via Chapter 62, Section 6O) and additional gifts or grants from public/private sources. It will cover costs for investigations, prosecutions, training programs to prevent discrimination, and related administrative expenses. Unused funds will carry forward annually without reverting to the general state budget, ensuring continuous support for anti-discrimination efforts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2636: An Act improving safety measures for highway maintenance personnel

This bill (HD 2636) amends Massachusetts law to require a permit from the registrar for specific vehicles used by highway maintenance personnel. It directly affects Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) workers who operate vehicles owned, used, or contracted by MassDOT during highway maintenance or construction in work zones. The key provision adds a new requirement that these vehicles must have a permit issued by the registrar to operate in work zones. This change clarifies the regulatory framework for vehicle operations in highway work zones but does not alter safety standards or create new funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2822: An Act providing benefits for permanent functional loss and disfigurement under the Worker's Compensation Act

This bill updates Massachusetts' workers' compensation benefits for permanent disfigurement and functional loss. It replaces a fixed $15,000 cap with a benefit amount equal to 30 times the current average weekly wage in the state, which adjusts annually. It also removes the previous restriction that scar-based disfigurement only qualified for benefits if on the face, neck, or hands. These changes directly affect workers who suffer qualifying permanent injuries covered under the state's workers' compensation system.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

All labor & employment bills