Labor & Employment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 1364: An Act streamlining state employee collective bargaining

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1364) of Pavel M. Payano, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to streamline state employee collective bargaining. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly streamlines state employee collective bargaining, directly supporting workers' rights to organize and negotiate under Labor & Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 2070: An Act establishing a special commission on paid family and medical leave for public employees

By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2070) of Natalie M. Blais for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to paid family and medical leave for public employees. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes commission to investigate paid family medical leave for public employees, advancing worker benefits under Labor & Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2182: An Act relative to an eight hour work day

By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2182) of Erika Uyterhoeven relative to an eight hour work day. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill proposes eight-hour workday standard, directly advancing workers' rights and workplace conditions under Labor & Workforce Development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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signed · Massachusetts · House Feb 18, 2026

H 4774: An Act establishing the city of Cambridge employment and job training trust

This bill establishes a dedicated trust fund in Cambridge to support local employment and job training programs. It directly affects Cambridge residents seeking workforce development opportunities and local employers needing skilled workers. The key mechanism creates a permanent financial trust to fund job training initiatives, career counseling, and workforce development services within the city. The bill does not specify funding sources or administrative details, but aims to create a sustainable resource for workforce needs. (Note: As a procedural bill establishing a trust, this summary focuses on the stated purpose and mechanism without additional speculation.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated trust fund for workforce programs, funding essential public services without defunding or tax changes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a trust fund for job training and workforce development, directly advancing employment opportunities and skills development per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 4767: An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

H 4767 requires health care employers in Massachusetts (including hospitals, mental health facilities, and certain state-operated care facilities) to create and maintain workplace violence prevention programs. Employers must conduct annual risk assessments covering factors like working alone, high-crime areas, and patient behavior, then develop written plans with employee training, reporting systems, and crisis response teams. The law mandates specific provisions such as staff training on reporting violence, post-incident debriefings, and designated senior managers for crisis response. Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per offense, and employees cannot be retaliated against for reporting safety concerns.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates healthcare employers to implement violence prevention programs, including training and risk assessments, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for workers.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 26, 2025

S 1795: An Act relative to veteran inclusion

This bill (S 1795) aims to create new employment opportunities for veterans in Massachusetts. It directly affects veterans seeking jobs by directing state agencies to prioritize hiring them. The official abstract states the bill is a petition for legislation focused on veteran inclusion but does not specify detailed mechanisms like hiring targets or training programs. The summary is limited to the abstract's description, as no further provisions or implementation details are provided in the context.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes veteran hiring by state agencies, creating employment opportunities directly aligning with employment standards support.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directs state agencies to prioritize hiring veterans, directly supporting veteran employment opportunities as a core benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1064: An Act to eliminate disparate impact

S 1064, titled "An Act to eliminate disparate impact," aims to restore enforcement of civil rights laws by requiring government agencies and covered entities (such as housing providers and employers) to assess policies for disproportionate negative effects on protected groups like racial minorities or women. The key mechanism mandates proactive evaluation of policies to eliminate such "disparate impact" and requires corrective actions when identified. This bill directly affects organizations subject to civil rights laws, shifting focus from intent to outcomes in policy design. It seeks to strengthen enforcement by making it mandatory to address unequal results, rather than solely proving discriminatory intent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates government agencies to assess policies for disparate impact on protected groups, requiring corrective actions. This directly supports criminal justice reform by addressing racial disparities in law enforcement and policies.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates housing providers to assess policies for disparate impact on protected groups, directly preventing housing discrimination per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates employers assess policies for disparate impact on protected groups, directly advancing workers' rights by requiring proactive elimination of discriminatory practices in employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2064: An Act relative to bereavement leave for the loss of a child

This bill (H 2064) would require employers in Massachusetts to provide eligible employees with paid or unpaid leave following the death of a child. It directly affects workers who experience the loss of a child, expanding existing bereavement leave policies beyond immediate family members like spouses or parents. The key provision mandates that employers grant this specific leave, though the exact duration and pay structure are not detailed in the abstract. The bill is filed under the Labor and Workforce Development committee, indicating it aims to update workplace protections for grieving employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands bereavement leave to cover child loss, enhancing worker benefits and rights beyond current policies, directly advancing employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 311: An Act protecting wages of employees who receive wages through an electronic wage card

This bill (HD 311) requires employers in Massachusetts who pay employees via payroll cards to provide specific protections. It mandates that employees can make at least one free withdrawal per pay period (no more than weekly) for their full net wages, and employers must disclose all fees upfront (excluding third-party fees). Additionally, employees must have free access to check their account balances online or via phone, without limits on how many times they can check. The bill directly affects workers receiving wages through payroll cards, ensuring clearer access to their earned pay and reducing unexpected costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates free wage access, fee transparency, and balance checks for payroll card users, directly protecting workers' earned wages from hidden fees and restricting employer financial control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 401: An Act relative to consolidating multiple definitions of employee

This bill updates Massachusetts labor law definitions to ensure consistency. It revises Chapter 149, Section 148B to include both Chapter 151 and Chapter 152 when defining "employee," and adds a cross-reference in Chapter 152 to adopt the same definition. The change directly affects how employment laws in Chapters 151 (wage standards) and 152 (labor relations) are interpreted and applied. It eliminates potential confusion by aligning the term "employee" across these related statutes without creating new rights or obligations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns employee definitions across wage (Ch.151) and labor relations (Ch.152) laws, ensuring consistent application of existing protections without ambiguity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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