Labor & Employment (Workforce Development)

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2067: An Act waiving the requirement for on call fire fighters to disclose stipends as income

By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2067) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. relative to waiving the requirement for on call fire fighters to disclose stipends as income for unemployment compensation. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWaives stipend disclosure requirement for on-call firefighters, expanding access to unemployment benefits by removing an income reporting barrier.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 1374: An Act relative to mandated use of paid time off for quarantine purposes

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1374) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to mandated use of paid time off for quarantine purposes. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid time off for quarantine, protecting workers' income during required isolation. Expands worker benefits and aligns with labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 2665: An Act to notify employees of an I-9 audit

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2665) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to require employers to notify current employees of an I-9 employment eligibility verification form, or other employment records, within 72 hours of receiving the notice from a government agency. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to notify employees of I-9 audits within 72 hours, enhancing transparency and protecting workers' rights in employment verification processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

H 2085: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill (H 2085) aims to help apprentices complete their training programs by creating pathways to finish their required hours and certifications. It directly affects apprentices in Massachusetts who are working toward skilled trades careers and the employers who sponsor their training. The key mechanism involves establishing structured opportunities for apprentices to meet training requirements without disruption. The goal is to strengthen the state's skilled workforce by ensuring more apprentices successfully complete their programs and enter the labor market.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates structured pathways for apprentices to complete training, strengthening workforce development and employment opportunities in skilled trades per its summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2188: An Act relative to bereavement leave

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2188) of Marcus S. Vaughn and Chynah Tyler relative to bereavement leave. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes bereavement leave, expanding worker benefits under employment standards by providing time off for family loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 2106: An Act relative to bereavement leave

H 2106 would amend the state's family and medical leave law to add bereavement leave as a qualifying reason for taking time off work. This change would allow eligible employees to take leave when a family member (such as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling) dies, covering time for funeral arrangements or personal grieving. The bill expands the existing law - which already provides leave for medical and family care needs - to specifically include bereavement. It directly affects employees covered under the state's leave program, typically those working for employers with 50 or more staff.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands family leave to include bereavement, granting workers time off for family member death. Directly increases worker benefits and protects rights under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

H 2121: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and for ensuring a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill (H 2121) helps apprentices complete their training programs by addressing barriers that prevent them from finishing. It directly affects apprentices seeking skilled trades careers and employers needing qualified workers in Massachusetts. Key provisions include streamlining training pathways and ensuring support systems to help apprentices finish their programs on time. The goal is to strengthen the state's skilled workforce by making apprenticeship completion more accessible and reliable.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill streamlines apprenticeship pathways to strengthen workforce development and employment standards for skilled trades workers, directly advancing labor/employment goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1417: An Act relative to a green energy track in vocational schools

This bill creates a grant program to establish clean energy workforce training tracks in Massachusetts vocational schools. It directly affects vocational school students (especially low-income individuals, women, minorities, and environmental justice populations), employers in clean energy and climate technology sectors, and educational institutions. Key provisions include funding collaborative partnerships between schools, employers, and workforce organizations to provide job readiness training, employer matchmaking, and support for underrepresented groups in high-demand clean energy jobs. The program requires detailed grant proposals with specific goals, budget plans, and annual reporting on participant outcomes to the state legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state grant program funding clean energy workforce training in vocational schools, directly allocating budget resources to advance workforce development programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program for clean energy workforce training in vocational schools, funding educational access and job readiness for underrepresented groups.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates grant program for clean energy workforce training, directly advancing renewable energy sector development and job creation in clean energy fields.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds clean energy workforce training, directly advancing environmental protection through job readiness programs in climate technology sectors.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates grant program for clean energy workforce training targeting underrepresented groups (low-income, women, minorities), directly advancing employment opportunities through job readiness training and employer partnerships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Renewable Energy Environmental Justice Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3164: An Act to establish the micro business employee training and workforce development program

HD 3164 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts employers with 10 or fewer employees who hire formerly incarcerated individuals (within 5 years of release) or people receiving transitional assistance under Chapter 18. Employers receive a $2,000 annual tax credit per eligible hire, plus phased training funds ranging from $15,000 to $9,000 over five years. The program is funded by dedicating 15% of several existing state justice and reentry program budgets to a new trust fund. It directly affects small Massachusetts businesses and supports job placement for two specific vulnerable groups. The credit is available for 10 years if the employee remains employed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $2,000 annual tax credit for small employers hiring vulnerable workers, directly reducing tax burden via existing budget reallocation. Aligns with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax credits for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, reducing recidivism through employment support, funded by justice program budgets.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credits and training funds to hire formerly incarcerated and transitional assistance recipients, advancing employment opportunities for marginalized workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3699: An Act to establish an apprenticeship program to ready vacant public housing apartments for occupancy

This bill establishes the Brooke Public Housing Apprenticeship program to train public housing residents in skills needed to prepare vacant apartments for occupancy. It requires the state housing and labor offices to create a training program developed with input from housing authorities, residents, and industry groups, focusing on job skills, placement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program directly affects public housing residents (by offering training and jobs) and public housing authorities (by providing trained workers to prepare units efficiently). It authorizes labor department grants to fund the apprenticeship program, aiming to speed up reoccupancy while making better use of housing capital funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates apprenticeship program training public housing residents to prepare vacant apartments, directly advancing affordable housing access and resident self-sufficiency through job skills development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes apprenticeship program providing job skills training and placement for public housing residents, advancing employment opportunities and self-sufficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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