By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1332) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to clarify the process for paying the wages of dismissed employees. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1362) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Rodney M. Elliott, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit mandatory overtime. Labor and Workforce Development.
This bill raises Massachusetts' minimum wage to $20.00 per hour by 2029 through phased increases (starting at $16.25 in 2026). It establishes an automatic annual adjustment starting in 2030, where the minimum wage will increase each January based on the previous year's inflation rate (using the Consumer Price Index). The bill directly affects all public and private employers in Massachusetts who pay hourly wages. It also adjusts the tipped wage to 60% of the new minimum wage rate.
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1365) of Pavel M. Payano, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education. Labor and Workforce Development.
HD 1407 allows employers to avoid liability for certain wage violations - such as failing to pay Sunday/holiday work or overtime - if they prove they acted in good faith based on a written opinion from the state labor department. Employers can use this defense even if the department later changes or invalidates that opinion. The law applies to all wage-related claims under existing state law, including those involving commissioned employees. It provides a legal shield for employers in disputes over compliance with wage statutes.
This bill reclassifies app-based delivery workers (like food or package couriers for companies such as DoorDash) as employees for wage purposes, requiring delivery network companies to pay them at least the state minimum wage for all "working time" (including both assigned delivery tasks and standby time). Companies must calculate wages to ensure workers earn the minimum wage on average for their first 40 hours per week, with an option to pay 150% of minimum wage for assigned time only if workers control their schedule. The bill mandates detailed payroll reporting for companies, including breakdowns of assigned time, standby time, and wages, and requires quarterly publication of aggregated data on pay and hours. It directly affects app-based delivery workers and the companies that employ them across Massachusetts.
HD 3991 requires utility contractors performing street excavations (like for gas, electricity, or cable work) to pay prevailing wages as defined by Massachusetts labor standards. It mandates that contractors submit wage agreements before permits are issued and maintain detailed payroll records showing hours worked, occupations, and wage rates for all workers. This applies to projects requiring permits from state, municipal, or utility authorities, directly affecting utility companies and their contractors. The bill enforces these requirements through existing labor laws (Chapter 149, Sections 26-27F) and connects to permit issuance procedures under Chapter 30.
By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1369) of Michael F. Rush for legislation relative to nonprofit institutions of higher education and payment of wages. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2011) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers. Revenue.
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1365) of Pavel M. Payano, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide fair wages to employees of public institutions of higher education. Labor and Workforce Development.
