Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1624: An Act relative to public safety employee death benefits

This bill (HD 1624) expands death benefit eligibility under existing law to include Department of Public Works (DPW) employees. It amends Section 100A of Chapter 32 by adding "and Department of Public Works employee" after "correction officer" in the current text. The change directly affects DPW employees whose families would now qualify for the same death benefits previously available only to correction officers. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1659: An Act establishing retirement parity for long term public defenders

HD 1659 establishes retirement parity for specific long-term public defenders by amending Chapter 32 of the General Laws. It directly affects attorneys, investigators, social workers, and social service advocates employed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) with 10 or more years of service. The key provision adds these roles to the existing retirement benefit eligibility for CPCS attorneys. This policy change ensures these public defenders receive the same retirement benefits as other CPCS attorneys after meeting the 10-year service requirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1038: An Act to modernize and streamline contributory retirement appeals

HD 1038 dissolves the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board and transfers retirement appeals to the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA). It sets a 180-day deadline for filing appeals and requires DALA to hold hearings within 180 days and issue final decisions within another 180 days. For disability retirement appeals, the bill allows individuals to retire under superannuation provisions while awaiting a decision, without losing future benefits or requiring reimbursement for prior payments. DALA gains authority to request medical information, subpoena witnesses, and publish decisions, streamlining the process for public employees challenging retirement decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1727: An Act relative to maintenance of physical examinations records for public safety personnel

This bill (HD 1727) changes how disability retirement claims are processed for public safety personnel (like firefighters) who develop certain illnesses (cancer, lung/respiratory diseases) related to their job. It requires employers to maintain records of initial physical exams for these workers. If an employer fails to keep such records, the worker or employer can submit an affidavit stating the exam was completed and didn’t reveal the illness. This affidavit will then be accepted as valid proof of the pre-service exam for determining if the illness was work-related. The change directly affects public safety employees seeking disability retirement benefits when original medical records are unavailable.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2524: An Act relative to work from home incentives

This bill creates tax incentives for Massachusetts businesses and remote workers. Businesses get a $10 tax credit per qualified remote employee (salaried, full-time, working from home 16+ hours weekly) and a 15% credit for remote work equipment costs. Employees who pay for eligible home office expenses (internet, equipment, supplies) not covered by their employer can claim 20% of those costs. The credits apply to business taxes and individual income taxes, but cannot reduce taxes below minimum required amounts. It directly affects Massachusetts-based businesses with remote workers and employees who work remotely from their homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1494: An Act waiving the requirement for on call fire fighters to disclose stipends as income

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to exempt on-call town firefighters from reporting their stipends as income when applying for unemployment benefits. It clarifies that firefighters receiving these stipends remain eligible for unemployment compensation without needing to disclose the payments. The provision directly affects volunteer firefighters who earn small stipends for their service. The change removes a specific administrative requirement under unemployment law, ensuring these workers' eligibility is not impacted by their stipend income.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1280: An Act codifying organizational standing

This bill (HD 1280) adds "public interest organizations" to Massachusetts law, defining them as non-profits working to combat discrimination, safeguard civil rights, or promote rights under Chapter 151B. It directly affects these non-profit groups by expanding their legal standing to file complaints or lawsuits. Key provisions allow such organizations to sue if their activities were impaired by unlawful practices, they were directly targeted, or they have a connection to those harmed by the violation. The bill clarifies that these groups can act as plaintiffs under existing civil rights laws without creating new rights.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1060: An Act relative to training tomorrow’s trucking industry workforce

SD 1060 establishes a state grant program to address workforce shortages in Massachusetts' commercial trucking industry by funding training and education initiatives. The program directly affects truck drivers, mechanics, technicians, and support staff, with a focus on creating opportunities for low-income individuals, women, minorities, and veterans. Key provisions require eligible applicants - like schools, employers, and workforce boards - to submit detailed proposals outlining training goals, evidence-based methods, and expected employment outcomes. The Department of Higher Education will oversee annual reviews and reports on participant numbers and job placements, while also mandating that motor vehicle permit applicants receive career information about trucking jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2073: An Act relative to public health volunteer responders

HD 2073 creates a state registry for volunteer health personnel (like nurses, EMTs, or public health workers) who can be activated during emergencies. The Department of Public Health will verify their licenses, require training, and establish a process to credential volunteers. During declared public health emergencies, state emergencies, or when local resources are exhausted, the commissioner can activate volunteers, granting them employee status for legal protections and benefits (like workers' compensation) under state law during their duty. This directly affects health volunteers who sign up for the registry and the state's emergency response capacity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Health

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1960: An Act promoting safety in the use of off-highway vehicles

HD 1960 amends Massachusetts laws to clarify exemptions for emergency vehicle use during off-highway vehicle operations. The bill directly affects public safety personnel who use off-highway vehicles (like ATVs or snowmobiles) during emergencies. It adds a specific definition for "Emergency off-road vehicle" covering all such vehicles used by public safety during emergencies, and explicitly exempts these vehicles from certain regulations in Chapter 90B. This change ensures public safety personnel can use these vehicles for emergency response without being subject to standard off-highway vehicle restrictions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

All labor & employment bills