Labor & Employment in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 499: An Act relative to establishing a prevailing wage for security officers

HD 499 amends Massachusetts law to include security guard services under prevailing wage requirements for public construction projects. It updates the definition of covered services in Chapter 149 to explicitly add "security guard" alongside existing categories like cleaning and maintenance. This means security officers working on state or municipal public works projects would now be entitled to the same prevailing wage rates as other covered workers. The bill directly affects security companies and their employees hired for public construction jobs. It makes a concrete policy change by expanding the scope of prevailing wage coverage to security services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 533: An Act to create and expand student pathways to success

HD 533 creates a new "workforce skills cabinet" within the governor's office to coordinate education, workforce development, and housing policies. The cabinet, composed of agency leaders and appointed business and workforce representatives, will align career pathways, conduct biennial program reviews for equity, and produce annual labor market reports. School districts receive funding awards ($1,000 per student for high-demand certifications, $800 for regional ones) to support career-focused programs, with 80% of funds directed to specific schools. The bill requires annual reporting on student participation, certification types earned, and program funding effectiveness, focusing on low-income, ELL, and SPED students. It directly affects Massachusetts public school districts and students seeking industry-recognized certifications.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Professional Licensing Workforce Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 537: An Act relative to wrongful discharge from employment

This bill defines "wrongful discharge" in Massachusetts employment law, specifically covering situations where an employee quits due to unbearable work conditions created by the employer (called "constructive discharge"), or is fired without "good cause" after a probationary period, or if the employer violates its own written personnel policy. It establishes that employees can recover lost wages (up to 4 years), fringe benefits, and interest for wrongful termination, but not pain and suffering or emotional distress damages. The law sets a one-year deadline for filing claims and excludes cases covered by collective bargaining agreements, anti-discrimination laws, or other specific statutes. It directly affects employees and employers in Massachusetts, clarifying when termination is legally unjustifiable and the remedies available.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 558: An Act to provide to certain employees of the Commonwealth the right to participate collectively in the political process

This bill amends Chapter 55 of Massachusetts General Laws to clarify that Commonwealth employees cannot be prohibited from soliciting political contributions from fellow employees for union-organized political committees. It directly affects state employees represented by unions under Chapter 150E, allowing those unions to collect funds for committees focused on improving workplace conditions. The key provision removes a previous restriction, enabling unions to legally gather contributions from members for political committees that advocate for better employment terms. The change specifically permits this solicitation within the context of union-organized committees, not general political activity. The policy change is limited to how unions may fund political efforts related to employee representation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 562: An Act to provide collective bargaining rights to employees of the mosquito control projects and mosquito control districts

This bill (HD 562) extends collective bargaining rights to employees working for mosquito control districts and projects in Massachusetts. It amends state law to require these employers to follow Chapter 150E, the state's public-sector labor relations law. The state Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board is designated as the employer for these purposes under Chapter 150E. The bill directly affects workers in mosquito control operations by granting them the right to form unions and negotiate contracts. It makes no changes to the scope of mosquito control work, only to the labor relations framework governing those employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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 & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 785: An Act relative to fair wages on government subsidized construction projects

HD 785 requires that workers on construction projects receiving specific government tax incentives (like tax increment financing, housing credits, or historic rehabilitation credits) be paid at least the minimum wage rates set by the state commissioner. It directly affects mechanics, apprentices, teamsters, chauffeurs, and laborers working on buildings funded through these programs. Employers must follow existing wage reporting rules (G.L. ch. 149, Section 27B), submit weekly payroll records to the tax relief authority, and make these records available for public inspection upon request. This bill ensures wage standards are tied to the tax benefits provided for these projects.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 466: An Act to protect injured workers

This bill strengthens protections for workers who report work-related injuries or illnesses by creating a strong presumption of retaliation if an employer takes adverse action within 90 days of such protected activity. It expands the definition of prohibited retaliation to include actions like denying employment relationships or falsely claiming injuries aren't work-related, and requires employers to post multilingual notices about worker rights. Workers who face retaliation can now seek treble damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief through civil court. The bill also clarifies that employers must indemnify insurers for unpaid wages required by law, ensuring workers receive full compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 977: An Act to implement a 4 day work week in the Commonwealth

HD 977 would change Massachusetts labor law to establish a standard 4-day workweek of 32 hours for most private employers, replacing the current 5-day/40-hour standard. The bill amends multiple sections of the General Laws to reduce maximum weekly hours and adjust overtime thresholds, requiring employers to pay 1.5x regular wages for hours worked beyond 32 in a week. This directly affects most private-sector employers in Massachusetts, including businesses covered under chapters 147 and 149 of the General Laws. The key mechanism is the statutory shift from 40-hour to 32-hour workweeks, with overtime rules tied to the new 32-hour limit. The bill does not exempt any specific industries or employee categories from this change.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 609: An Act ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans

This bill creates a new "veteran employment and reemployment rights division" within the state inspector general's office to assist military service members and veterans facing workplace issues after service. The division will employ intake officers, investigators, and mediators to handle disputes related to employment or reemployment rights under federal law (USERRA). Key mechanisms include gathering evidence from veterans and employers, investigating potential violations, and offering mediation to resolve conflicts before referring unresolved cases to the attorney general. It directly affects service members and veterans encountering employment challenges due to military service, providing a dedicated state resource to enforce their federal protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

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

All labor & employment bills