Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SD 3659: Communication from the seven non-insurance members of the of the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (pursuant to Section 292 of Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its alternative executive synopsis of the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board December FY25 final report

This is not a legislative bill but a communication from the non-insurance members of the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (ABLRAB). They submitted an alternative executive synopsis to state officials, arguing that Massachusetts auto body labor rates are "materially inadequate" based on 17 years of consistent findings (2008, 2022, 2025), with independent economic analysis confirming insurers hold excessive bargaining power, suppressing rates below market reality. The communication emphasizes that six of seven non-insurance board members recommended rate increases to address underpayment, repair quality risks, and workforce instability, while opposing insurance industry claims of a "healthy" market. It urges the Division of Insurance to act on these findings rather than further delay.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5009: An Act relative to Labor Relations Policies for Committee for Public Counsel Services Employees

This bill (H 5009) clarifies that employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), a state agency providing legal services, are explicitly covered under Massachusetts labor relations laws. It amends Chapter 150E to define CPCS as a "public employer" and include it in the list of entities subject to those labor relations policies. The bill does not create new policies but ensures CPCS employees have the same labor relations protections as other public employees. This is a procedural update to align CPCS with existing labor law coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5020: An Act relative to unilateral contract changes

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from including "termination without cause" clauses or unilateral changes to material contract terms (such as payment rates, service definitions, or quality policies) with healthcare providers. It requires carriers to provide written notice of any change at least 90 days before the provider must respond, and limits such changes to occur only after a contract's current term ends. The law specifically applies to state health insurance purchasing entities (like MassHealth) and their contracts with providers. It allows mutually agreed amendments but bans unilateral modifications except as required by law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce

H 5021 creates the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for doula certification (prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income individuals, and underserved areas), support community doula programs, and fund workforce development. It requires certification programs to teach clinical knowledge (like anatomy and labor support), health equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, birth parents, and doulas by increasing access to non-medical support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health Professional Licensing Workforce Development

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 5016: An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce

This bill creates a Midwifery Workforce Development Fund to support midwifery education, retention, and birth centers. The fund will finance midwifery student tuition, licensing fees, childcare stipends, loan forgiveness for midwives serving underserved areas, and grants for midwifery training programs. It also requires that certified midwives and freestanding birth centers be paid the same rate as physicians for equivalent services under state employee health plans. The bill directly affects midwifery students, practicing midwives, birth centers, and state health programs by providing dedicated funding and ensuring equitable reimbursement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Student Financial Aid Public Employees Workforce Development

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 5032: An Act relative to preparing apprentices in the commonwealth

H 5032 requires that for public construction projects in Massachusetts exceeding $10 million in cost, contractors and subcontractors must ensure at least 15% of labor hours for each trade are performed by registered apprentices. This applies to all public works projects (like schools or roads) and directly affects construction companies bidding on such projects. Contractors must use apprentice programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards and maintain required apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios. Public agencies can exempt specific trades only after proving no qualified bidders with apprenticeship programs are available, with strict documentation requirements. The bill does not apply to projects under $10 million or exempt entire projects unless documented per trade.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 4974: An Act Preparing Apprentices through Training, Hiring, and Skills in Massachusetts

H 4974 requires contractors working on public construction projects costing over $10 million to hire registered apprentices, phasing in minimum apprentice-hour requirements: 5% after one year, 10% after three years, and 15% after four years. It mandates that contractors maintain approved apprentice training programs and register apprentices with the state, while allowing limited waivers for specific trades if qualified bidders aren't available. The bill also establishes a new commission to study apprenticeship programs and expands a high school career pathway program for building/transportation careers. These requirements apply to all public works projects, contractors, subcontractors, and public agencies involved in qualifying construction contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 4994: An Act relative to preparing apprentices in the commonwealth

H 4994 requires public agencies to mandate that contractors for public construction projects exceeding $10 million in cost must include registered apprentices in their workforce. Specifically, it sets increasing minimums: starting at 5% of total hours for each trade in 2026, rising to 10% in 2027, and 15% by 2028, all performed by apprentices in programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards. Contractors must register apprentices with this division and maintain required apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios. Public agencies may grant limited exemptions for specific trades if no qualified bidder with an apprentice program is available, but must document and report these exemptions. The bill directly affects public agencies, construction contractors, and subcontractors working on large public projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 8, 2026

H 4901: An Act enabling employees on unpaid leave to purchase creditable service

This bill allows public employees who took unpaid parental leave (for birth or adoption) exceeding one month to count that time toward their retirement benefits by making payments. Employees can pay the retirement system the equivalent of what they would have contributed during the leave period, plus interest, either as a lump sum or in installments. The buyback is limited to a maximum of two years of unpaid leave and applies only to leave taken for childbirth or adoption. This directly affects public sector workers on extended parental leave who wish to maintain full retirement credit for that time.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5509: An Act relative to the reserve time of public safety personnel in the city of Salem

HD 5509 allows Salem police and fire reserve personnel who joined the city's retirement system by February 11, 2020, to count their reserve, permanent-intermittent, or call service toward retirement credits without paying for it. This change applies specifically to those employed by Salem's Police or Fire Departments who became members before the specified date. The bill modifies existing retirement rules to provide automatic credit for this service time, removing a prior requirement for payment. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills