Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2014: An Act uplifting families and securing the right to strike for certain public employees

HD 2014 modifies Massachusetts law to allow most public employees to strike after six months of collective bargaining negotiations, while permanently banning strikes by public safety employees (like police and firefighters). It changes existing law to require a minimum six-month negotiation period before a strike can occur for non-public safety workers, and specifies that public safety employees cannot strike under any circumstances. The bill amends Chapter 150E to clarify that strike restrictions apply during negotiations and end once an impasse is formally filed, except for public safety roles. These changes directly affect public sector workers in non-emergency roles and their unions. The policy focuses on balancing labor rights with public safety considerations through defined negotiation timelines.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables strikes for most public employees after six-month negotiations, strengthening collective bargaining rights while excluding public safety workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2596: An Act establishing protections for workers in hot conditions

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1357) of Mark C. Montigny and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to establish protections for workers in hot conditions. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly establishes protections for workers in hot conditions, directly advancing workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1870: An Act relative to a youth training wage

This bill creates a temporary wage requirement for minors under 18 working limited hours. It applies to young workers who need a work permit and work 20 hours or less per week with a new employer. During their first 120 hours of employment (a "training period"), these workers must be paid at least $10 per hour, overriding standard minimum wage rules for this specific group. The provision expires after 120 hours, after which regular wage laws apply.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates temporary $10/hour wage for minors during training period, exceeding standard minimum wage and protecting young workers' earnings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2234: An Act relative to updating overtime salary thresholds and codifying definitions to protect middle-class workers

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1324) of Paul R. Feeney and Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to update overtime salary thresholds and codifying definitions to protect middle-class workers. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates overtime salary thresholds to protect middle-class workers, directly advancing wage standards and worker protections per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1409: An Act relative to independent contractors

This bill changes how Massachusetts defines "employee" versus "independent contractor" for labor laws. It requires that an individual be considered an employee unless they meet all three specific conditions: (1) free from employer control in performing work, (2) work is outside the employer's usual business, and (3) they run an independent trade or business. This directly affects workers and businesses that classify workers as contractors, determining who qualifies for protections under Chapters 149 and 151 (like minimum wage and overtime). The change clarifies the standard for worker classification but does not create new benefits or penalties.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill redefines contractor status to expand employee protections, requiring stricter criteria for independent classification, directly advancing worker rights under labor laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3770: An Act to preserve employer autonomy

HD 3770 shortens the time period employers must wait before being presumed to have retaliated against employees who use leave or engage in protected activities. It changes the presumption from applying after "6 months" to only "3 months" and removes the requirement that employers prove their actions weren't retaliation with "clear and convincing evidence." This makes it easier for employees to establish retaliation claims by reducing the burden on them to prove the timing of employer actions. The bill directly affects employees filing retaliation claims under Chapter 175M and employers defending against such claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens retaliation presumption period from 6 to 3 months and removes high burden on employers to disprove retaliation, easing employee claims under Labor & Employment protections.92% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 927: An Act relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates overtime pay for agricultural laborers, expanding worker protections and benefits under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 928: An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2012) of Adam Gomez and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish fairness for agricultural laborers. Revenue.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill establishes fairness for agricultural laborers, a sector heavily reliant on immigrant workers, aligning with protections for immigrant rights and labor standards.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill title 'fairness for agricultural laborers' directly aligns with protecting worker rights and improving employment conditions in labor context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 507: An Act relative to compliance with the prevailing wage laws of the Commonwealth

HD 507 extends Massachusetts' prevailing wage requirements to offsite fabrication work for public construction projects. It requires contractors to pay prevailing wages for prefabricated items like pipes, electrical systems, or modular units made offsite, and to include specific payroll details in weekly reports (e.g., facility location, worker names, hours, and wages). This applies to all public projects covered by existing wage laws, ensuring offsite manufacturing work meets the same labor standards as on-site construction. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends prevailing wage requirements to offsite fabrication, mandating fair wages and payroll transparency for workers on public projects, strengthening labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 593: An Act to provide economic security for fishing industry participants

This bill directs the Secretary of Labor to analyze economic harm to commercial fishermen caused by regulatory actions like area closures, gear restrictions, and seasonal closures (including lobster closures for right whale protection). It requires developing a mitigation plan, potentially modifying unemployment insurance to address this specific financial instability. The plan, including any legislative recommendations, must be submitted to both legislative chambers by April 1, 2026. The bill directly affects commercial fishing participants in the Commonwealth facing income disruption due to state or federal regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill modifies unemployment insurance to address financial instability for fishermen affected by regulatory closures, directly expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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