Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2686: An Act relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This bill establishes a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in certain public safety employees was caused by their job duties, if diagnosed within five years of leaving service and not present at the time of hiring. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, airport crash crews, and military fire department members. Under the bill, these employees can receive benefits as if the PTSD occurred "in the line of duty" unless their employer proves it resulted from non-work factors like disciplinary actions. Benefits would be paid retroactively from the date the employee last received regular compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1635: An Act relative to the equality of wage and recruitment of the Massachusetts State Police

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1783) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to the equality of wage and recruitment of the Massachusetts State Police. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2269: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill requires contractors and subcontractors working on construction projects over $1 million in Massachusetts to gradually increase the proportion of labor hours performed by apprentices in approved training programs. Starting six months after enactment, 5% of applicable labor hours must be completed by apprentices, rising to 10% after one year and 15% after two years. It applies to all trades where workers receive hourly wages and are subject to prevailing wage laws, mandating compliance with programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Training. The law directly affects large construction projects by setting specific, time-bound apprenticeship requirements for contractors and subcontractors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2326: An Act providing for a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential public health and safety employees

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1802) of Nick Collins for legislation to provide for a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential first responders employees. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 561: An Act relative to EMS leave without loss of pay

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1472) of Michael F. Rush for legislation relative to EMS leave without loss of pay. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4191: An Act to protect correctional officers

HD 4191 increases penalties for assaulting correctional officers and other facility staff, requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence for such assaults. It also creates new workplace protections for workers exposed to synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice) during their jobs, including correctional officers, first responders, and healthcare workers. Affected employees can now access medical leave under Massachusetts law, workers' compensation, and continued health insurance during recovery. The bill requires them to use other short-term disability benefits first before accessing the new medical leave benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2803: An Act relative to Parkinson's disease disability and death in firefighters

This bill creates a presumption that Parkinson's disease causing disability or death in certain firefighters was incurred "in the line of duty," simplifying eligibility for retirement benefits. It directly affects uniformed firefighters in paid departments, state police in fire investigation/K9 units, and airport crash crew personnel (e.g., at Logan Airport, 104th Fighter Wing, or Joint Base Cape Cod) who served at least five years and regularly responded to fire calls. The presumption applies unless non-service factors (like personal health risks) are proven to have caused the condition. The bill amends retirement laws to include this provision, ensuring affected personnel can access benefits under existing systems without needing to prove service connection.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1549: An Act relative to teacher’s retirement buyback for former parochial school teachers

HD 1549 allows former parochial school teachers in Massachusetts to purchase retirement service credit for up to 10 years of prior teaching. To qualify, teachers must have taught in an approved school with a valid teaching certificate, pay contributions based on the average teacher salary for those years (plus capped interest), and have their last 10 years of service as a state employee. The bill requires a single payment or annual payments to the retirement system to receive credit for the purchased service time. This directly affects teachers who worked in parochial schools before joining the state teaching system.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 650: An Act clarifying rate setting processes for home health and home care services

HD 650 clarifies how Massachusetts sets payment rates for home health agencies and homemaker/personal care services. It requires the executive office to establish and review these rates at least every two years, using costs from up to four years prior (adjusted for reasonableness and new costs), and including administrative expenses and a reasonable profit factor. The bill mandates that rate-setting consider specific cost factors like minimum wage changes, payroll taxes, health insurance, and employee benefits, using national or regional cost indices. Additionally, it requires detailed reports to legislative committees comparing adopted rates to the federal "Home Health Agency Market Basket" index, with simulations if that index isn't used. The bill directly affects home health providers and homemaker service agencies by changing how their reimbursement rates are calculated and justified.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Minimum Wage

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2063: An Act to ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1698) of Paul R. Feeney, Marcus S. Vaughn and Brian M. Ashe for legislation to ensure pay parity for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills