Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2480: An Act relative to school bus transportation professionals

The bill title "An Act relative to school bus transportation professionals" does not match the actual content provided. The bill text amends Section 24 of Chapter 151A to create an exemption from work search requirements for individuals with a certified return-to-work date within 12 weeks. This provision affects unemployment benefit recipients who have a confirmed job return date, not school bus professionals. The bill addresses unemployment insurance regulations, not transportation industry standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts unemployment beneficiaries with confirmed return-to-work dates from work search requirements, expanding access to benefits without job search obligations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 1376: An Act relative to unemployment insurance

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1376) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to unemployment insurance. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill addresses unemployment insurance, a core worker benefit under Labor and Workforce Development, aiming to strengthen financial support for unemployed workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

Track

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

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 453: An Act amending the unemployment insurance law for workers with fluctuating work schedules

This bill amends Massachusetts' unemployment insurance law to better support workers with irregular schedules. It changes how "highest quarter" wages are calculated for benefit eligibility, replacing the current method with a new standard. If using the highest quarter wage calculation makes someone ineligible for benefits, the bill ensures they receive half of their total wages from the two highest quarters instead. This directly affects hourly and part-time workers whose income fluctuates significantly from week to week. The change aims to prevent eligible workers from being denied benefits due to the current calculation method.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends unemployment calculation to ensure fluctuating schedule workers receive benefits they'd otherwise lose, expanding access to unemployment insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 452: An Act relative to fair hiring practices

SD 452 prohibits Massachusetts employers from discriminating against job applicants based on unemployment status, such as refusing to hire, screening, or advertising jobs that require current employment or disqualify the unemployed. It also bans employers from demanding personal social media or email passwords during hiring, except for specific investigations into security breaches or company data leaks. Exceptions allow employers to consider relevant work history or recent job experience as legitimate hiring factors. This law directly affects all Massachusetts employers and job seekers, aiming to reduce bias in hiring and protect personal digital privacy.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits unemployment-based hiring discrimination and bans social media password demands, directly protecting job seekers' rights and advancing fair employment standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits employers from demanding social media passwords, directly protecting data privacy and digital rights under technology policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Social Media

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1413: An Act relative to the promotion of the WorkShare program

This bill requires Massachusetts' executive office of labor to study industries hardest hit by pandemic-related job losses and create a report on how to expand the WorkShare program. The report must identify current and potential participants, plus recommend outreach strategies to promote the program. It also mandates the agency to develop a marketing plan - including print/digital materials and website ads - to actively promote WorkShare to eligible employers within 12 months. The bill directly affects Massachusetts employers in high-unemployment sectors by improving access to a program that helps avoid layoffs through reduced work hours.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPromotes WorkShare program to prevent layoffs and maintain worker benefits during pandemic job losses, directly advancing employment standards95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1902: An Act relative to unemployment insurance

This bill amends Massachusetts unemployment insurance rules to adjust eligibility and coverage requirements. It changes the base period wage requirement so workers must have earned wages in at least two quarters (instead of the full period) equaling 30 times their weekly benefit rate. It also raises the employee threshold for mandatory coverage from 25 to 50 employees and clarifies that employers of covered entities (like government agencies) don't count toward this employee total. These changes directly affect workers seeking benefits and employers required to provide unemployment insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdjusts eligibility to expand access by lowering base period requirement (2 quarters vs full period), making unemployment benefits more accessible to workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 2141: An Act relative to employee definition harmonization

By Representatives Livingstone of Boston and Nguyen of Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2141) of Jay D. Livingstone and Tram T. Nguyen relative to employment under the unemployment insurance program. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentHarmonizes employee definition for unemployment insurance eligibility, ensuring consistent access to benefits and strengthening administrative support for workers under labor programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment Workforce Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 2111: An Act amending the unemployment insurance law for workers with fluctuating work schedules

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2111) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to unemployment insurance for workers with fluctuating work schedules. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends unemployment insurance to cover workers with fluctuating schedules, expanding access to benefits for a vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 1336: An Act relative to access to Paid Family and Medical Leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers

By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1336) of Erika Uyterhoeven relative to unemployment insurance for graduate student workers. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides paid family/medical leave and unemployment insurance for graduate student workers, directly supporting higher education staff and enhancing educational access through improved worker benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends paid family medical leave and unemployment insurance access to graduate student workers, expanding worker benefits and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment

Track