Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2095: An Act providing for special death benefits to fallen public safety officers

This bill amends pension rules to ensure families of fallen public safety officers receive a minimum death benefit. It guarantees that for officers (police or firefighters) who died on or after December 1, 2010, the pension amount cannot be less than the salary they would have earned in the next pay grade step at the time of death. This applies to both regular officers and those in supervisory roles (e.g., police superior officers or fire officers). The change directly affects the dependents of qualifying public safety officers who died while on duty.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1661: An Act enabling all students to thrive: protecting a high quality, diverse educator workforce

This bill changes Massachusetts school layoff rules to protect teachers in high-need schools and diverse classrooms. It prevents schools from laying off certified teachers with professional status if a less qualified teacher (with or without professional status) holds the same position, unless the senior teacher is equally qualified. Teachers in high-need schools, those with "grow your own" program backgrounds, top-rated performers, or specific language skills (like Bilingual Endorsement) gain job protections during layoffs. The law requires schools to prioritize student needs and performance evaluations when making layoff decisions, and the education department must report by 2031 on whether it increases teachers of color. It applies directly to public school teachers and administrators in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1581: An Act providing fair and equitable line of duty death benefits for public employees

This bill amends Massachusetts law to provide a one-time $300,000 death benefit to families of public employees killed while performing their duties. It expands eligibility beyond "public safety employees" to include all public employees working for state/county government, public schools, universities, municipalities, or public authorities. The bill broadens the definition of "public employee" in related sections to ensure all qualifying workers are covered. This changes the existing benefit structure by standardizing the payment amount and extending coverage to a wider range of public sector workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2448: An Act to amend retirement benefits for certain employees of the Department of Youth Services

This bill updates retirement benefit eligibility to include all Bargaining Unit 8 employees in the Department of Youth Services, expanding coverage under existing retirement provisions. It specifically amends a section of law that previously listed other employee categories (like "supervising prison camp officer") by adding this new group. The change directly affects Bargaining Unit 8 employees by extending them the same retirement benefits previously available to other covered staff. No new benefits are created - only eligibility is expanded for this specific workforce.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Retirement Benefits Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1479: An Act relative to the Insurance Advisory Committee

HD 1479 amends the Insurance Advisory Committee's membership requirements to include a representative from each collective bargaining unit that the political subdivision negotiates with under Chapter 150E, plus a retiree representative designated by the Retired State, County and Municipal Employee Association. This change directly affects the committee's composition by mandating specific representation from public employee bargaining units and retirees. The bill alters how the committee is formed but does not change insurance policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2033: An Act relative to enhancing public service pension equity for veterans

HD 2033 adds pension benefits for veteran public employees in Massachusetts. It requires retirement systems to count one additional year toward a veteran's age (for pension calculations) and two additional years if they have a 10%+ service-connected disability rating from the VA. This directly affects current and retired state/local government workers who served honorably in the U.S. military. The bill changes how retirement benefits are calculated by adjusting age inputs, applying to all defined public retirement systems under state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1457: An Act relative to worker compensation protections for certified medical cannabis patients and their caregivers

HD 1457 (Massachusetts) expands worker's compensation coverage to include medical cannabis for certified patients. It directly affects injured workers who are certified medical cannabis patients under Chapter 94I and their designated caregivers. The bill amends worker's compensation law (Chapter 152) to explicitly allow reimbursement for reasonable medical cannabis costs when provided to injured employees or their caregivers, as certified by a healthcare provider under medical cannabis law. This change updates existing coverage rules to include cannabis as a reimbursable service for qualifying cases, without altering medical cannabis eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2122: An Act relative to health equity and community health workers

HD 2122 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans - including Medicaid, private insurers, and employer health plans - to cover services provided by certified community health workers (CHWs), such as health education, care coordination, and resource navigation. It directly affects CHWs, healthcare providers, community organizations, and insurers by mandating payment for these services, including those employed by non-medical entities. The bill also establishes a task force to study CHW workforce challenges and recommend improvements to certification, recruitment, retention, and reimbursement by March 2026. This policy change expands access to community-based health support through standardized insurance coverage and workforce development efforts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance Professional Licensing Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1300: Resolve for memorializing the Massachusetts Delegation, and the United States Congress, on the need for official, and general support of a Federal ERA, and public education, regarding this subject

This resolution (SD 1300) is a formal statement by the Massachusetts legislature supporting the ratification of the Federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. It directs the Secretary of State to notify Congress and other federal authorities about Massachusetts' position and to conduct public education on the ERA's benefits. The resolution emphasizes Massachusetts' longstanding support for gender equality, referencing its 1976 adoption of an ERA in the state constitution. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official communication urging federal action and public awareness. The resolution directly affects Massachusetts' official engagement with federal lawmakers and its public education efforts regarding the ERA.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1313: An Act relative to employee protections

This bill prohibits Massachusetts state and local government entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for public services, facilities, or employment. It specifically bans termination for not receiving the vaccine in public sector jobs (including schools, towns, and water districts) and prohibits issuing "vaccine passports" or sharing vaccination records with third parties. The bill allows individuals to retain their personal CDC vaccination record cards but forbids government agencies from creating standardized verification systems. It applies to all public benefits, services, and facilities provided by Massachusetts or its political subdivisions. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Health

All labor & employment bills