Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1091: An Act relative to accidental disability retirement for police officers and firefighters

This bill changes how police officers and firefighters are treated when granted accidental disability retirement (not based on specific presumptions). It requires that any absence from duty caused by the condition leading to retirement be counted as retroactive leave, not disability retirement. Employers must adjust pay and personnel actions accordingly for the retroactive leave period. The law directly affects eligible first responders who receive this type of retirement under Chapter 32.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2295: An Act to promote correctional personnel safety

This bill (HD 2295) increases penalties for inmates who assault correctional staff. It targets individuals in custody (in jails, prisons, or detention facilities) who use a dangerous weapon to assault officers, employees, volunteers, or contractors working in those facilities. The law mandates prison sentences of up to 20 years for such assaults, requiring the new sentence to be served after any existing unserved sentences. It defines "dangerous weapon" broadly to include homemade or custom objects designed to cause harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1397: An Act to promote employee ownership

This bill (HD 1397) creates a tax deduction for small businesses that sell company shares to employee ownership plans (ESOPs). It allows businesses with fewer than 500 employees to deduct capital gains from selling their shares to an ESOP that owns at least 49% of the company, provided the business sponsors the ESOP. The deduction applies to the net income tax calculation under Chapter 63. This policy directly affects small business owners who use ESOPs to transition ownership to employees. The law aims to incentivize employee ownership by reducing the tax burden on such sales.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Small Business

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2091: An Act enhancing the safety of high-rise buildings

HD 2091 requires owners of buildings constructed before January 1, 1975 (previously exempt under Chapter 183A) to install automatic sprinklers in phases: one-third of the building area by March 2028, two-thirds by March 2031, and full coverage by March 2035. Owners may instead install all sprinklers by March 2031 but must waive future extension requests. The bill directly affects owners of qualifying older buildings, mandating specific installation timelines without altering existing fire safety standards. It replaces an outdated exemption with a structured compliance schedule.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1624: An Act relative to public safety employee death benefits

This bill (HD 1624) expands death benefit eligibility under existing law to include Department of Public Works (DPW) employees. It amends Section 100A of Chapter 32 by adding "and Department of Public Works employee" after "correction officer" in the current text. The change directly affects DPW employees whose families would now qualify for the same death benefits previously available only to correction officers. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1659: An Act establishing retirement parity for long term public defenders

HD 1659 establishes retirement parity for specific long-term public defenders by amending Chapter 32 of the General Laws. It directly affects attorneys, investigators, social workers, and social service advocates employed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) with 10 or more years of service. The key provision adds these roles to the existing retirement benefit eligibility for CPCS attorneys. This policy change ensures these public defenders receive the same retirement benefits as other CPCS attorneys after meeting the 10-year service requirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1038: An Act to modernize and streamline contributory retirement appeals

HD 1038 dissolves the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board and transfers retirement appeals to the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA). It sets a 180-day deadline for filing appeals and requires DALA to hold hearings within 180 days and issue final decisions within another 180 days. For disability retirement appeals, the bill allows individuals to retire under superannuation provisions while awaiting a decision, without losing future benefits or requiring reimbursement for prior payments. DALA gains authority to request medical information, subpoena witnesses, and publish decisions, streamlining the process for public employees challenging retirement decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1727: An Act relative to maintenance of physical examinations records for public safety personnel

This bill (HD 1727) changes how disability retirement claims are processed for public safety personnel (like firefighters) who develop certain illnesses (cancer, lung/respiratory diseases) related to their job. It requires employers to maintain records of initial physical exams for these workers. If an employer fails to keep such records, the worker or employer can submit an affidavit stating the exam was completed and didn’t reveal the illness. This affidavit will then be accepted as valid proof of the pre-service exam for determining if the illness was work-related. The change directly affects public safety employees seeking disability retirement benefits when original medical records are unavailable.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2524: An Act relative to work from home incentives

This bill creates tax incentives for Massachusetts businesses and remote workers. Businesses get a $10 tax credit per qualified remote employee (salaried, full-time, working from home 16+ hours weekly) and a 15% credit for remote work equipment costs. Employees who pay for eligible home office expenses (internet, equipment, supplies) not covered by their employer can claim 20% of those costs. The credits apply to business taxes and individual income taxes, but cannot reduce taxes below minimum required amounts. It directly affects Massachusetts-based businesses with remote workers and employees who work remotely from their homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1494: An Act waiving the requirement for on call fire fighters to disclose stipends as income

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to exempt on-call town firefighters from reporting their stipends as income when applying for unemployment benefits. It clarifies that firefighters receiving these stipends remain eligible for unemployment compensation without needing to disclose the payments. The provision directly affects volunteer firefighters who earn small stipends for their service. The change removes a specific administrative requirement under unemployment law, ensuring these workers' eligibility is not impacted by their stipend income.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

All labor & employment bills