Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

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

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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

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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

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 1359: An Act relative to municipal unemployment insurance reform

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1359) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to municipal unemployment insurance reform. Labor and Workforce Development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill reforms municipal unemployment insurance under Labor committee, expanding worker benefits and support for employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 658: An Act amending the unemployment insurance law for workers with fluctuating work schedules

This bill (HD 658) changes how unemployment benefits are calculated for workers with irregular schedules. It modifies the law to use wages from the two highest quarters (instead of just the single highest quarter) when determining benefit amounts. If using this two-quarter method makes a worker ineligible for benefits, the bill ensures they receive a minimum payment equal to 1/26th of their total wages reported in those two quarters. This directly affects hourly or part-time workers whose earnings vary significantly between pay periods.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment benefits for fluctuating-schedule workers by using two highest quarters for calculation and guarantees minimum payment, directly strengthening worker financial security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1059: An Act relative to the notification of large job layoffs

This bill requires employers planning large layoffs to give 60 days' written notice to the state commissioner before implementing a "mass layoff" (defined as cutting 25% of a site's workforce or at least 200 workers within 30 days). It directly affects employers who must notify the state before such layoffs, and employees who may lose benefits if notice is not provided. Key provisions include mandating notice that includes details required by federal law, adding penalties for non-compliance (back pay and benefits for up to 60 days), and creating exemptions for physical calamities or employers actively seeking capital. The law aims to give workers time to seek new jobs or benefits by ensuring advance notice of significant workforce reductions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 60-day notice for large layoffs, protecting workers' rights and preventing loss of benefits through mandatory employer notification and penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1367: An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes

HD 1367 amends unemployment compensation rules for workers affected by labor disputes. It states that workers lose benefits for 30 days if unemployment stems from a labor dispute, unless the employer hires a permanent replacement (which must be certified as permanent). Key exceptions include disputes over unmet contract terms or laws on wages/hours, workers unemployed during contract negotiations (benefits until strike begins), and workers not recalled within one week after a dispute ends. The bill also clarifies that lockouts cannot deny benefits if workers are ready to work under existing terms, unless the lockout responds to union-caused property damage despite employer safety efforts. (HD 1367, An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes)

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts unemployment benefits for 30 days during labor disputes, weakening worker financial support despite limited exceptions for wage/hour disputes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2040: An Act to increase unemployment insurance benefits for low wage workers

This bill increases unemployment benefits for low-wage workers by changing how benefits are calculated. It sets weekly benefits at 50% of a worker's average weekly wage (capped at 57.5% of the state average wage, with a minimum of 20% or 75% of the worker's own wage, whichever is lower). It reduces the total benefit cap from 30 times the weekly rate to 26 times during periods of low statewide unemployment (below 5.1% in 10 metro areas), while adding protections to prevent benefit reductions if eligibility requirements aren't met. These changes directly affect low-wage workers filing for unemployment during the 2023-2024 benefit year.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly increases unemployment benefits for low-wage workers by raising weekly benefit rates and expanding coverage, directly advancing worker financial security under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2039: An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes

SD 2039 modifies Massachusetts unemployment law to clarify when workers affected by labor disputes can receive benefits. It establishes a 30-day waiting period for benefits if unemployment stems from a labor dispute, but exempts workers if the dispute involves an employer failing to follow contracts, wage laws, or collective bargaining agreements. The bill also protects workers during lockouts (employer-imposed work stoppages), preventing benefit denial if employees are ready to work and the employer cannot prove union-caused property damage. This directly affects workers in disputes over wages, hours, or working conditions, ensuring eligibility unless they actively participated in the dispute or belong to the same worker group causing it.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts workers from waiting period when employers violate contracts/wage laws and protects during lockouts, strengthening worker benefits during disputes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 522: An Act to increase unemployment insurance benefits for low wage workers

HD 522 increases unemployment insurance benefits for low-wage workers in Massachusetts. It changes how weekly benefits are calculated, setting a minimum of 20% of the average weekly wage for all covered workers (or 75% of the individual’s wage, whichever is lower), while capping the maximum at 57.5% of the average wage. The bill also reduces the maximum total benefits from 30 times the weekly rate to 26 times, but only if unemployment stays below 5.1% across all 10 Massachusetts metro areas for 10 months. Crucially, it ensures individuals cannot lose benefits if the unemployment threshold isn’t met during their benefit year.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases unemployment benefits for low-wage workers with minimum coverage, directly expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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