Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1347: An Act protecting the right to time off for voting

This Massachusetts bill (SD 1347) requires most employers to provide employees with paid time off to vote in state or municipal elections. Employees must give at least 3 days' notice to their employer, and the time off must be taken at the start or end of their regular shift to minimize work disruption. Employers who deny this right must pay the affected employee a full day’s wages. The law also mandates employers to post clear voting time-off notices and enforces compliance through the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division. It directly affects all Massachusetts employees and their employers covered by Chapter 149 of the General Laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2436: An Act relative to expanding and modernizing apprenticeships

This bill (HD 2436) expands apprenticeship opportunities in Massachusetts' green energy, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, and green building industries. It requires the state Division of Apprenticeship to develop industry-specific training, create regional advisory boards, and prioritize underrepresented groups (women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities) for apprenticeships. Employers participating in these programs receive tax credits ($5,000 per apprentice completing 1,000+ hours) and state subsidies for wages and training costs, provided they demonstrate diversity commitments. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign promoting apprenticeships as debt-free career paths and annual reports tracking program participation, effectiveness, and regional impacts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Apprenticeships Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2397: An Act creating a special legislative commission to study barriers to job retention for low-income workers

HD 2397 establishes a 17-member commission to study barriers low-income workers face in finding and keeping jobs with sustainable wages in Massachusetts. The commission, including government officials, labor representatives, business leaders, and experts, will examine specific issues like the "cliff effect" (where small income increases cause loss of critical benefits) and ineffective service programs. It must file recommendations, including potential legislation, by March 1, 2027, after gathering input through hearings and public testimony. This bill directly affects low-income workers in Massachusetts by directing a formal study to inform future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2667: An Act clarifying the prevailing wage law

This bill amends a state law to clarify which construction work must follow prevailing wage rules for government projects. It specifically adds "the inspection, testing and repair of fire protection systems" to the list of covered activities, alongside existing work like installing resilient flooring. The change directly affects contractors working on government construction projects involving fire protection system maintenance. This is a narrow clarification to the prevailing wage law, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2749: An Act relative to MWRA employees

This bill (HD 2749) requires the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to comply with Chapter 296 of the 1993 Acts of Massachusetts, which governs public employee labor relations. It directly affects MWRA employees by subjecting them to the existing provisions of this law, such as collective bargaining procedures and labor dispute resolution. The bill is procedural, extending current labor regulations to MWRA staff without creating new policy or altering employee benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2600: An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a declared public health state of emergency

HD 2600 requires private employers with 11+ employees providing essential services (as defined by the Governor's emergency orders) to pay essential workers hazard pay equal to 1.5 times their regular rate during a declared public health emergency. It also mandates employers provide free, required personal protective equipment (PPE) and prohibits penalties for workers who refuse unsafe work due to health risks, vulnerable household members, or lack of childcare during the emergency. The law excludes government workers and certain exempt employees, and enforcement is handled by the Attorney General's office under existing wage laws. This directly affects private-sector essential businesses and their frontline workers during active public health emergencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1595: An Act relative to defense against abusive waivers

This bill (SD 1595) bans employment contracts from requiring employees to waive legal rights related to discrimination, retaliation, harassment, unpaid wages, or workplace safety violations. It makes such waivers void and unenforceable, prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who refuse these waivers, and allows employees to sue for damages if they face retaliation. Employers who enforce invalid waivers must pay damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies to contracts signed after its effective date and ensures courts - not arbitrators - decide if waiver clauses apply to protected claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workplace Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3268: An Act to restore collective bargaining for teachers and other school employees

HD 3268 restores collective bargaining rights for teachers and other school employees in Massachusetts by removing legal barriers from existing law. The bill amends Chapter 69 of the General Laws to eliminate restrictive language (like "of practices" or "or practices") and ensures school employee bargaining is subject to Chapter 150E, the state's labor relations law. This directly affects public school staff by enabling them to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions through unions. The key mechanism is deleting specific clauses that previously limited collective bargaining authority for school employees.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3316: An Act to promote employment for people with disabilities

HD 3316 creates a state council to help people with disabilities find jobs by requiring state agencies and local governments to consider purchasing services from certified providers. The council will maintain a list of approved services, verify fair market prices, and ensure certified programs employ at least 75% people with disabilities in direct work (like service delivery, not admin). This affects state agencies buying services, disability-focused nonprofits (community rehabilitation programs), and people with disabilities seeking employment. The law aims to expand job opportunities while ensuring these services offer value to public buyers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags People with Disabilities

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2051: An Act relative to workplace safety and disclosure of violations

SD 2051 requires contractors bidding on government contracts over $50,000 to disclose any recent OSHA violations (within the last 4 years) for themselves or affiliated businesses, including proof that hazards were corrected. It also mandates that contractors ensure subcontractors disclose similar violations and update this information every 6 months. For trench excavation permits, applicants must disclose OSHA violations, permit suspensions, fines, or site shutdowns related to trench work. The law aims to inform contracting decisions by making safety violation history a factor in determining a contractor's "responsibility." This directly affects businesses seeking state government contracts or trench excavation permits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

All labor & employment bills