Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2949: An Act to ban captive audience meetings

HD 2949 bans most employers from requiring employees to attend meetings or listen to communications primarily about religious or political topics, or from disciplining them for refusing such participation. Employees who face discipline for refusing can seek damages, including lost wages and attorney fees, and report violations without retaliation. The law excludes religious employers and allows employers to share legally required information, job-related communications, or academic discussions at institutions of higher education. Employers must post a notice of these employee rights within 30 days of the law taking effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1065: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights of Massachusetts employees

This bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure that if a governmental agency determines public employees are no longer covered under applicable law (e.g., due to reclassification) or declines jurisdiction over their bargaining unit, the Department of Labor Relations must certify the union that was previously recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative. It directly affects Massachusetts state and local government employees whose employment status changes and their current union representatives. The key provision requires the Department of Labor Relations to maintain existing union certification in these specific circumstances, preventing loss of bargaining rights due to agency decisions about employee classification. The change applies only to bargaining units previously certified based on majority representation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 904: An Act relative to a youth training wage

This bill establishes a special minimum wage for workers under 18 who need a work permit and work 20 hours or less per week. During their first 120 hours with a new employer (a "training period"), these young workers must receive at least $10 per hour, even if it's below the standard minimum wage. The provision exempts them from regular minimum wage requirements only for this initial training period. It directly affects minor workers in entry-level, part-time positions requiring work permits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Minimum Wage

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1856: An Act requiring human service employers to develop and implement programs that prevent workplace violence

This bill requires human service employers (like nursing homes, mental health facilities, and licensed social service agencies employing five or more people) to create workplace violence prevention programs. It mandates annual risk assessments considering factors such as working alone at night, high-crime areas, or handling crisis situations, followed by written prevention plans including staff training and incident reporting systems. Employers must also establish crisis response teams for staff affected by violence and provide support like counseling. Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per offense.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1144: An Act relative to workforce training

This bill requires all Massachusetts employers to adopt written anti-harassment policies by January 1, 2027, and provide annual training to employees on preventing unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment). It mandates training content covering legal requirements, examples of harassment, bystander intervention, internal/external remedies, and supervisory responsibilities, with specific standards for interactive and anonymous question features in online sessions. Employers must maintain records of training completion for five years. The law applies to all employers in Massachusetts, with tailored examples required for businesses with 100+ employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 929: An Act relative to transparency in employee benefits reporting in private construction

This bill requires employers on private construction projects exceeding $750,000 to post specific transparency information at job sites. It applies to residential developments with over 10 units or commercial/industrial projects over 5,000 square feet. Key provisions mandate posting: (1) a compliance certificate showing current contributions to worker benefits, (2) workers' compensation carrier details and coverage status, and (3) a sign-in/out log tracking all workers' names, signatures, trade licenses, and arrival/departure times. Employers must provide these records to the Attorney General upon request.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 713: An Act encouraging employer integrity in hiring

SD 713, titled "An Act encouraging employer integrity in hiring," prohibits Massachusetts employers from knowingly falsifying employment or citizenship documents for non-citizen workers. It directly affects employers who hire immigrants, imposing penalties for violations: first offenses carry up to $1,000 fines or 30 days in jail, while repeat offenses increase fines ($1,000-$2,500 for second offense, $2,500-$5,000 for third) and jail terms (up to 3 months or 6 months minimum). The bill escalates punishments based on prior convictions for similar offenses in Massachusetts or elsewhere. This law aims to deter document fraud in hiring practices without specifying broader immigration policy changes.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2038: An Act relative to compliance with the prevailing wage laws of the Commonwealth

This bill expands Massachusetts' prevailing wage laws to cover offsite fabrication work for public construction projects. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and workers involved in custom plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and sheet metal systems (like piping or ductwork) made offsite for public projects. Key provisions require contractors to report detailed payroll information weekly, including the fabrication location, worker names, occupations, hours, and wages paid. The law ensures these offsite workers receive the same wage rates and reporting standards as on-site construction labor under existing public works rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1827: An Act promoting an adjunct bill of rights

This bill establishes the Faculty Restoration and Equity Fund to require public colleges in the state to: (1) ensure at least 75% of undergraduate courses are taught by full-time faculty, (2) maintain at least 75% full-time support staff in departments, and (3) provide part-time and non-tenure track faculty with pay and benefits equal to full-time faculty. It also amends retirement laws to grant part-time faculty teaching four or more courses yearly full retirement credit, equal pay on a pro-rata basis, and formal processes for assignment priority and tenure-track consideration. The fund prioritizes institutions with high reliance on part-time faculty, and all provisions are subject to collective bargaining. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions and their part-time/non-tenure track faculty.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2305: An Act promoting a just transition and clean energy workforce standards

This bill (SD 2305) requires Massachusetts gas distribution and transmission companies to develop and submit detailed "just transition" plans to the Department of Public Utilities. These plans must ensure workforce retention, training, and safety during the shift to clean energy, including maintaining staffing levels as of January 1, 2025 (except through negotiated early retirement), and outlining how companies will train workers for renewable energy roles. Companies must report on workforce development, cross-training, pension solvency, and measures to prevent job displacement through 2050 or until gas pipeline retirement. The bill directly affects all gas companies operating in Massachusetts and mandates compliance with new service quality standards for safety, reliability, and workforce transition.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Renewable Energy Workforce Development

All labor & employment bills