Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2130: An Act promoting equality and respect in the legislature

SD 2130 creates a new independent Commission on Workplace Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Legislature to address misconduct within legislative workplaces. The bill directly affects all state house personnel - including legislators, staff, interns, and executive branch employees working in the state house - by establishing formal procedures for reporting harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault. Key mechanisms include defining terms like "workplace harassment," requiring the commission to investigate complaints, and prohibiting retaliatory actions against those who report incidents. The commission, composed of 13 appointed members representing diverse expertise and legislative leadership, will operate independently with authority to investigate and report without executive branch oversight. This bill focuses on internal legislative workplace policies rather than broader public laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3994: An Act requiring certain employers to establish and maintain a human resources department

HD 3994 requires Massachusetts employers with 25 or more employees to maintain a full-time human resources (HR) department, while employers with fewer than 25 employees must maintain a part-time HR department staffed by at least one person. The HR department must handle key functions including employee relations, benefits administration, recruitment, training, compliance with labor laws, and recordkeeping. Employers failing to comply may face complaints and action from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2311: An Act establishing Election Day as a holiday and providing paid voting leave

This bill establishes Election Day (the first Tuesday in November during even-numbered years) as a legal holiday for most workers in Massachusetts, with an exception for public employees whose jobs involve election operations. It also requires employers to provide eligible employees with 2 hours of paid leave to vote during early voting, mail-in voting periods, or on Election Day itself. Employees who already receive Election Day off as a holiday are not entitled to additional paid leave for voting on election day. The law prohibits employers from penalizing workers for using this leave in performance reviews, promotions, or other employment decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3976: An Act establishing a minimum wage for employees of airline catering companies

This bill requires employees of airline catering companies working under agreements with the Massachusetts Port Authority at Logan Airport (including off-site locations near the airport) to be paid the same hourly wage as other airport service workers like wheelchair assistants, skycaps, and janitorial staff. It defines "airline catering" to include food preparation, assembly, and delivery to aircraft at Logan Airport. The law mandates that any necessary wage adjustments for these workers must be implemented within 30 days of the bill's effective date. The policy directly affects catering workers at Logan Airport under specific port agreements, aligning their pay with other airport service roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4081: An Act regarding trash and recycling collectors, moving contractors, and motor bus pupil transporters

This bill requires Massachusetts public entities (like cities, towns, or school districts) to include specific wage rates in contracts with trash/recycling collectors, moving companies, and school bus transportation providers. The rates, set by the state commissioner, must cover all wages plus health/welfare or pension payments, and must be paid directly to workers if no plans exist. Workers who believe their wages were violated can sue after 90 days (or sooner with attorney general approval), seeking triple damages, lost wages, and legal fees. The law directly affects employees in these three sectors when working on public contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1131: An Act relative to collective bargaining rights of Massachusetts employees

This bill clarifies the process for maintaining collective bargaining representation when Massachusetts government agencies lose jurisdiction over public employee bargaining units. It requires the Department of Labor Relations to automatically certify the existing union as the exclusive bargaining representative if a government agency determines the workers are no longer covered by law or declines to handle the case. This applies specifically to public employees whose bargaining units face jurisdictional changes, ensuring continuity of representation without new rights or benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 768: An Act ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans

SD 768 creates a new "Veteran Employment and Reemployment Rights Division" within the Executive Office of Veterans Services to help veterans and service members resolve workplace disputes after military service. The division will have intake officers, investigators, and mediators to address violations of federal (USERRA) and state laws regarding job reemployment rights. If mediation fails, cases are referred to the Attorney General for further action. This bill directly affects veterans/service members facing employment issues and employers who may violate reemployment protections under federal and state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Workforce Development National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1986: An Act utilizing apprenticeship programs for career paths in construction

This bill requires contractors bidding on public construction projects valued over $1 million to maintain or participate in state-approved apprentice training programs for each trade they use. It mandates that contractors register all apprentices with the Division of Apprentice Standards and follow prescribed apprentice-to-journeyman ratios for each trade. Contractors who do not meet these requirements will not be considered "responsible and eligible bidders" for such projects. The law applies to all general contractors, subcontractors, and construction managers bidding on public works projects funded by state or local government entities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 452: An Act relative to bereavement leave

This bill creates a new bereavement leave policy in Massachusetts, requiring most employers to allow employees up to 10 business days of leave within a 12-month period for the death of a family member. It directly affects employees in Massachusetts (excluding those working for employers with fewer than 25 employees) and their employers, covering leave for funeral arrangements, attending services, or grieving. Key provisions include a 30-day window to request leave after learning of a death, employer discretion over paid/unpaid status, and specific documentation options like obituaries or death certificates. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1393: An Act expanding access to commuter transit benefits offered by employers

This bill requires Massachusetts employers with 50 or more employees to offer pre-tax transit benefits to non-union workers, aligning with federal tax rules. It mandates that employers provide this benefit as a way to reduce employees' taxable income for commuting costs, with fines of $100 for first violations and $250 per month for ongoing non-compliance. The Department of Revenue must run a public awareness campaign and provide multilingual materials to help workers understand and request these benefits. The law applies to private employers (excluding federal government employers) and takes effect one year after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills