Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining)

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 & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies CPCS employees are covered under labor relations laws, extending existing protections to ensure same rights as other public employees under Chapter 150E.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

H 4832: An Act relative to the contracting of digital replicas

H 4832 clarifies contract rules around digital replicas (computer-generated voice or likeness representations) for performers and creators. It makes contract clauses allowing digital replicas to replace in-person work unenforceable after January 1, 2026, if the agreement lacks clear usage details or the individual didn't have proper legal or union representation during negotiation. The bill specifically excludes standard copyright uses like sampling, remixing, or authorized remastering. It directly affects performers signing new contracts involving digital replicas for professional services starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects performers' contractual rights by invalidating unenforceable digital replica clauses without clear terms or proper negotiation, advancing workers' rights in labor agreements.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects creators' digital rights by restricting unenforceable contracts for digital replicas, aligning with digital rights protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 4658: An Act establishing parking cash-out

This bill requires employers with 50 or more employees to replace parking benefits with a "parking cash-out" option. Employees can choose to forgo driving alone to work and instead receive cash or transit benefits equal to the current market price of parking (calculated using public rates within a quarter-mile or set minimums). Employers must document parking costs, adjust them annually using the Consumer Price Index, and inform employees in writing about their rights. It does not apply to employers with fewer than 50 employees, those with union contracts requiring parking, or jobs requiring vehicle use.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employee commuting benefits by requiring cash/transit alternatives to parking, increasing flexibility and financial options for workers.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates employers to replace parking with transit benefits, promoting public transit use and reducing car dependency per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2778: An Act relative to collective bargaining

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2778) of Tackey Chan and David Holway relative to attorney services or management consultants for services performed for collective bargaining or issues arising from collective bargaining contracts. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enables attorney services for collective bargaining, directly supporting workers' rights to negotiate contracts and strengthening labor organizing processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2780: An Act relative to collective bargaining

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2780) of Tackey Chan and David Holway for legislation to designate constitutional officers as employers of the employees under their jurisdiction. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDesignates constitutional officers as employers to enable collective bargaining, supporting workers' rights through formalized bargaining structures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 2767: An Act establishing a commission to resolve issues arising from collective bargaining stalemates

By Representative Cahill of Lynn (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2767) of Coleman Walsh for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) to collective bargaining negotiations between public sector employers and employee unions. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes commission to resolve public sector collective bargaining stalemates, directly supporting workers' right to negotiate through unions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 4, 2025

H 4451: An Act expanding access to commuter transit benefits offered by employers

This bill requires Massachusetts employers with 500 or more employees to offer pre-tax transit benefits to non-union workers. It mandates that employers provide this benefit or face fines ($100 for first violation, $250 for each subsequent month of non-compliance). The state will run a public awareness campaign with MBTA and other transit agencies to inform workers about these benefits. Employers must also provide multilingual written notices to employees about the available benefits. The law takes effect one year after passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates pre-tax transit benefits, providing tax relief to employees by reducing taxable income for transit costs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer-provided commuter transit benefits for workers, expanding access to transportation assistance and strengthening worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates employer transit benefits to expand public transit access, promoting sustainable commuting and reducing car dependency through enforcement and public awareness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 229: An Act to assure quality foster care

By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 229) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier relative to making foster parents public employees and providing them with certain collective bargaining rights. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly grants foster parents collective bargaining rights as public employees, directly supporting labor rights and worker organizing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1371: An Act establishing a board of hoisting machinery regulations

HD 1371 creates a new six-member "Board of Hoisting Machinery Regulations" within Massachusetts' Department of Labor. The board, appointed by the governor, includes a safety inspector (chair), a public utility worker, a construction contractor, a safety trainer, an OSHA expert, and a union representative with five years' experience. This board will establish licensing rules for hoisting machinery operators, including training requirements, supervision protocols for apprentices, and procedures for license issuance, renewal, denial, or revocation based on safety violations. The bill directly affects apprentice and operator license holders and the safety training industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates safety-focused board to set licensing/training for machinery operators, directly improving workplace safety standards per OSHA expert and union rep inclusion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2346: An Act relative to the retirement benefits of certain employees of the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

This bill amends Chapter 32 of the General Laws to extend existing retirement benefits to specific employees. It directly affects unionized workers (bargaining unit 8) in the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The key provision adds these employees to the list of state workers already covered under the current retirement framework. This is a technical adjustment to include these groups under existing retirement eligibility, not a new benefit program. The bill does not change benefit amounts or create new funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends existing retirement benefits to unionized workers, expanding coverage under current framework per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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