Labor & Employment (Minimum Wage)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 337: An Act relative to establishing a food justice frontline

Massachusetts' HD 337 establishes the Food Justice Frontline Program to create jobs addressing food insecurity. It provides nonprofits with grants up to $500,000 to fund "Food Security Jobs" (like food production or delivery) for residents in designated "Overburdened Communities" - areas with high pollution exposure and household incomes below 80% of the state median. Grants require nonprofits to pay at least the calculated minimum wage (based on state per capita income) and prioritize rapid job creation in these communities. The bill also mandates new outreach programs to promote SNAP and similar food assistance programs, with stipends for youth in targeted areas.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum wage (based on state income) for Food Security Jobs, prioritizing overburdened communities with high pollution/income disparities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 464: An Act to ensure fair access to compensation for victims of human trafficking and forced labor

This bill establishes a new compensation program for victims of human trafficking and forced labor in Massachusetts. Victims can receive up to $25,000 in lost income compensation (capped at $12,500 annually for two years) from the Victims of Crime Compensation Division, based on the state minimum wage for up to 40 hours weekly. It removes common barriers by not requiring official employment documentation (accepting alternative evidence like sworn statements) and explicitly prevents criminal charges related to trafficking from disqualifying victims. The compensation also won't count as income for other state or federal benefit programs, and the division must adopt guidelines within 190 days to streamline applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates victim compensation program for trafficking/forced labor, removes barriers (no employment docs), prevents criminal charges against victims. Supports victim services and reform in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides compensation for trafficking victims, removes documentation barriers, strengthens worker protections against labor exploitation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 979: An Act relative to public benefit corporations

HD 979 creates a tax incentive for benefit corporations in Massachusetts that provide specific employee benefits. It offers a 1.5% lower corporate tax rate to qualifying benefit corporations that provide at least four of six listed benefits, including a "living wage" (defined as sufficient for essentials like housing and healthcare per the MIT calculator), paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, a CEO-to-worker pay ratio under 25:1, employee cooperative governance, or profit sharing returning 10% of profits to staff. To qualify, corporations must maintain these benefits for 12 consecutive months and receive certification from the Department of Revenue. This directly affects benefit corporations operating under Chapter 156E that meet the eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides 1.5% corporate tax reduction for qualifying benefit corporations, directly incentivizing tax policy aligned with fiscal management and employee benefit requirements.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 'living wage' covering housing costs (per MIT calculator), indirectly supporting housing affordability through employee compensation requirements.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates living wage, paid parental leave, and employee governance as tax incentive conditions, directly advancing worker benefits and rights per Labor & Employment topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Minimum Wage Paid Leave Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3227: An Act allowing for airline catering to be considered covered employees

This bill expands minimum wage coverage to include employees of airline catering companies working under agreements with the Massachusetts Port Authority. Specifically, it defines "airline catering" as food/beverage preparation, assembly, and delivery to aircraft or nearby airport locations, classifying these workers as "Covered Employees" under the Port Authority's existing minimum wage policy. The Massachusetts Port Authority must update its policy within 30 days to reflect this change. The bill directly affects catering staff at Boston Logan Airport who previously may not have been covered under the policy.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands minimum wage coverage to airline catering workers, classifying them as 'Covered Employees' under Port Authority policy, directly advancing wage protections for previously excluded workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3976: An Act establishing a minimum wage for employees of airline catering companies

This bill requires employees of airline catering companies working under agreements with the Massachusetts Port Authority at Logan Airport (including off-site locations near the airport) to be paid the same hourly wage as other airport service workers like wheelchair assistants, skycaps, and janitorial staff. It defines "airline catering" to include food preparation, assembly, and delivery to aircraft at Logan Airport. The law mandates that any necessary wage adjustments for these workers must be implemented within 30 days of the bill's effective date. The policy directly affects catering workers at Logan Airport under specific port agreements, aligning their pay with other airport service roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal minimum wage for airline catering workers at Logan Airport, aligning with other airport service workers to protect compensation standards and advance fair pay.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2405: An Act relative to fairness in debt collection

HD 2405, "An Act relative to fairness in debt collection," protects consumers facing debt collection by setting clear limits on wage garnishment. It exempts 90% of a consumer's gross weekly wages (or 65 times the state/federal minimum wage) from attachment for consumer debt, with an additional hardship exemption available through a court process. The bill also prohibits employers from firing or refusing to hire workers due to garnishments and sets a 5-year statute of limitations for debt collection actions. These provisions apply to most personal debts (like credit cards or medical bills) but exclude mortgages, homeowner fees, and child support.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employers from firing/refusing to hire due to garnishments and exempts 90% of wages, directly protecting workers' employment rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SD 1201: An Act relative to a livable wage for human services workers

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 130) of Cindy F. Friedman, Kathleen R. LaNatra, Joanne M. Comerford, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to a livable wage for human services workers. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates livable wage for human services workers, directly advancing wage standards and worker compensation within Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1019: An Act relative to educator pay

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 370) of Adam Gomez, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to require that all public school educators are paid not less than a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates living wage for public school educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and retention in education policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates living wage for public school educators using MIT calculator, directly advancing wage standards for workers in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 223: An Act relative to a livable wage for human services workers

By Representative Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 223) of Mindy Domb relative to a livable wage for human services workers. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates a livable wage for human services workers, directly increasing compensation and supporting worker economic security.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 370: An Act relative to educator pay

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 370) of Adam Gomez, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to require that all public school educators are paid not less than a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates living wage for public school educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates living wage for public school educators, directly increasing compensation and advancing worker pay standards per MIT calculator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Minimum Wage

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