Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

This bill amends Massachusetts workers' compensation law to clarify when benefits may be suspended. It directly affects injured workers who are medically cleared to return to work but refuse to do so. The key provision states that if a registered physician determines an employee is fit to return to work and the employee refuses, their right to compensation is suspended, and any compensation during that suspension period may be forfeited. The change creates a specific mechanism for withholding benefits when an employee declines a work opportunity deemed safe by a medical professional. This policy adjustment aims to align benefit eligibility with medical clearance and return-to-work obligations.

This bill modifies Massachusetts unemployment insurance rules for municipal employees. It specifically prevents municipal workers providing services to educational institutions from receiving unemployment benefits under certain circumstances (Section 1). Additionally, it requires a 65% reduction in unemployment benefits for individuals receiving a pension or retirement payment from a defined benefit plan based on their prior work with the separating employer, but only if that employer provided at least 75% of the service used for the pension (Section 2). These changes directly affect municipal employees and individuals receiving pensions while claiming unemployment benefits.

This bill modifies Massachusetts unemployment insurance rules for two specific groups. It prohibits unemployment benefits for municipal employees providing services to educational institutions (like school staff working for towns). Additionally, it reduces unemployment benefits by 65% for individuals receiving pensions from their previous employer (based on their prior work with that employer), but only if they worked at least 75% of their service years for that employer and the reduction aligns with federal tax rules. Social Security payments are exempt from this reduction. The changes directly affect municipal workers in education and those receiving pensions who file for unemployment.

HD 1367 amends unemployment compensation rules for workers affected by labor disputes. It states that workers lose benefits for 30 days if unemployment stems from a labor dispute, unless the employer hires a permanent replacement (which must be certified as permanent). Key exceptions include disputes over unmet contract terms or laws on wages/hours, workers unemployed during contract negotiations (benefits until strike begins), and workers not recalled within one week after a dispute ends. The bill also clarifies that lockouts cannot deny benefits if workers are ready to work under existing terms, unless the lockout responds to union-caused property damage despite employer safety efforts. (HD 1367, An Act relative to unemployment compensation and labor disputes)