This bill filed by the Governor authorizes a capital improvements program for public higher education institutions to support both their educational missions and regional economic development. The bill authorizes bond funding for a range of projects—including deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization initiatives, repairs, construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse of campus facilities—covering state colleges, community colleges, and the University of Massachusetts. All projects must conform to campus master plans that are developed in consultation with institutional leadership and approved by state officials. The bill also earmarks funds for laboratory modernization, student support infrastructure, and technology capital projects that facilitate remote and hybrid learning. The financing of these improvements is realigned through the issuance of special obligation bonds. The bill also sets up a procedure for the sale of surplus owned by a higher education institution.

This bill focuses on regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems (ADS) within workplaces. It sets forth comprehensive guidelines for the deployment of electronic monitoring tools by employers, which can only be employed for specific purposes such as quality control, compliance, or workplace safety, with minimal and only necessary data collection. Employers are required to provide written notice and obtain employee consent before implementing these tools, clearly specifying their purpose, the data collected, and retention policies, and ensuring they adopt the least invasive monitoring methods. It also mandates the maintenance of detailed compliance records and the protection of data confidentiality and integrity. Restrictions include provisions banning monitoring to obtain health or other private information about employees, and may not take place in bathrooms, locker rooms, lounges and similar spaces. Importantly, the bill prohibits using electronic monitoring data for disciplinary actions unless performance standards have been disclosed to employees with proper notice.

Additionally, the bill governs the use of automated employment decision tools, requiring these tools to undergo impact assessments by independent auditors. These assessments must evaluate the tools' validity, potential biases, and effects on protected groups, ensuring they do not foster discrimination and are not solely relied upon for employment decisions. Meaningful human oversight is required, and employers must inform employees and candidates about their use, offering alternatives or accommodations as necessary. The bill specifically bans the use of ADS with facial or emotion recognition technologies unless essential for security reasons, protects employees from retaliatory actions when challenging AI outputs, and mandates regular impact assessments by state agencies to avoid discriminatory outcomes. Moreover, it restricts the use of automated decision systems in public services unless authorized by law, aiming for transparency and accountability in the use of AI and ADS within state operations.

The bill proposes to repeal Section 121 of Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1995, including any amendments made to this section by Sections 30 and 31 of Chapter 158 of the Acts of 2014.

This bill seeks to amend Chapter 71 of the General Laws by introducing a new section that mandates the creation of model content regarding the safe storage of firearms. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, is responsible for developing this educational material. The primary objective of this model content is to raise awareness among school communities—comprising families, guardians, and staff—about the vital importance of securely storing firearms, particularly in homes and vehicles, to prevent unauthorized access by children and teenagers.

The educational content will highlight the life-saving impact of proper firearm storage by detailing the risks associated with unsecured weapons, and suggesting community actions to boost safety. These include promoting awareness of storage requirements, suicide prevention, and providing access to behavioral health or educational resources. The model content will be available in English and other languages as needed, based on community demographics, to ensure inclusivity.

Additionally, the bill mandates an annual review of the content by the department to keep the information current and effective. Each school district's superintendent and school committee are tasked with collaborating to annually distribute this notice to the school community. The notice must be easily accessible online, specifically through the school district’s website, for parents, guardians, and staff.

This bill concerns educational assessments and services for English Language Learner (ELL) students, particularly those who also have disabilities. It requires that during evaluations, school committees account for a student’s English proficiency and ensure assessments are given in the student’s primary language. Additionally, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team for ELL students must include experts in second language acquisition, with the IEP addressing both their language and special education needs.

The bill prohibits school districts from suggesting parents opt out of ELL services to simplify the scheduling of special education services. It mandates schools to facilitate meaningful communication with parents and guardians through interpreters and translators who are both bilingual and skilled in specialized terminology. 

This bill requires schools to limit student access to personal electronic devices during the school day. Exceptions are made for emergencies or educational needs. Schools must communicate these policies to parents and submit them to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for oversight and guidance. Schools must also educate students on the social, emotional, and physical risks of social media use.

Social media platforms must implement nearly foolproof age verification systems and establish default privacy-focused settings for minors, including permitting communication and content sharing only with established connections, disabling features like autoplay and continuous scrolling, and barring access during certain hours, such as nighttime and school hours. Platforms are also required to include mechanisms for flagging unwanted content and must issue health warnings related to social media use. 

This bill proposes the creation of a special legislative commission focused on advancing community school strategies in Massachusetts. Community schools are designed to boost student success and overall well-being by integrating strategic partnerships between schools and community resources, incorporating services such as wraparound support. The commission will comprise 15 members drawn from various educational and community organizations. Its primary role will be to examine existing systems, structures, and policies that facilitate the development of community schools and to study trends in their adoption both within Massachusetts and elsewhere. The commission will evaluate the effectiveness of current community school implementations in the state and identify obstacles to wider adoption, including legal, regulatory, or funding challenges.

The commission's mandate includes producing a comprehensive report by February 15, 2026, which will outline findings, offer policy recommendations for statewide adoption of community school strategies, and propose options for establishing sustainable funding models. Additionally, the commission will design a statewide pilot program for community schools, specifying eligible communities, resource requirements, the funding award process, and data reporting obligations for program evaluation. The report will be submitted to relevant legislative and executive bodies to guide future legislative and regulatory actions in supporting community-school initiatives throughout Massachusetts.

This bill establishes an Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, aimed at providing immigration legal services to eligible immigrants and refugees, with a focus on those in federal detention or facing removal proceedings. Administered by the Office for Refugees and Immigrants, the fund administers a competitive grant program that supports nonprofit organizations, law firms, and qualified private attorneys experienced in immigration law. Priority for legal services will go to individuals detained or facing immediate deportation risks. A Coordinator will offer logistical support, technical assistance, and training to legal professionals. The fund will receive revenue through a line-item in the state budget as well as external sources.

This bill proposes sweeping reforms to labor-management relations within Massachusetts, creating a new legal framework to govern labor practices if the federal preemption established by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) becomes inapplicable. It involves repealing parts of Chapter 150 and making extensive amendments to Chapter 150A of the Massachusetts General Laws. The bill aims to strengthen the protection of workers’ rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining, ensuring these rights remain intact at the state level if federal oversight diminishes.

Key provisions include broadening the definitions of "employer" and "employee" to encompass entities and individuals typically excluded, while specifically excluding agricultural and domestic workers. It allows for the implementation of agency service fees as alternatives to union membership dues, detailing that such fees should cover the complete cost of union representation.

The bill prohibits employer practices that discourage union membership or retaliate against employees participating in strikes, such as the permanent replacement of striking workers or false representation of their employment status. Moreover, it updates processes for addressing unfair labor practices by enhancing penalties, offering pre-hearing injunctive relief, and incorporating electronic voting for union representation elections to modernize and improve access to labor rights enforcement procedures.

Through these measures, Massachusetts demonstrates a proactive commitment to preserving robust labor-management relations and safeguarding employees' rights at the state level.

This bill proposes a series of incremental increases to the minimum wage in Massachusetts, and includes a mechanism to adjust it based on inflation. The bill raises the minimum wage in successive annual increments from the current $15.00 to $16.25, then to $17.50, $18.75, and finally reaching $20.00 in 2029. For employees earning a subminimum wage, incremental raises are also outlined, progressing from $6.75 to $7.92, $9.19, and $10.55, ultimately adjusting to 60 percent of the calculated minimum wage by 2030. Additionally, the bill mandates that starting in 2030, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will determine an adjusted minimum wage reflecting inflation changes, using the consumer price index for urban wage earners.

This legislative bill enhances the rights and working conditions of agricultural and farmworkers in Massachusetts. It specifically introduces provisions for paid time off, allowing workers to earn one hour of paid time off for every 40 hours worked, capped at 55 hours per calendar year. Workers can use their accrued time after 45 days of employment, except for returning seasonal employees, who are exempt from this waiting period in subsequent years. At the beginning of each year, unused paid time off resets, and any used time must be paid at the employee's current wage rate. The accrued time off can be utilized for any reason, provided the worker gives reasonable notice, and employees are protected against retaliation for using this time off. Employers can choose to offer more favorable terms for accrual, rollover, or usage than the legislation requires.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that agricultural workers who work eight or more hours per day must receive two paid 15-minute breaks. These breaks must comply with conditions regarding temperature regulation and hydration, especially during extreme weather. The legislation aligns the minimum wage for agricultural workers with the state's general minimum wage and updates the "agricultural and farm work" definition to clearly outline primary and secondary activities covered under the law. The Department of Labor Standards is tasked with creating regulations around these break conditions in collaboration with stakeholders. The provisions related to breaks will take effect on January 1 following the bill's enactment, while all other provisions will become effective immediately upon passage.

The "Safe Communities Act" bill limits the role of state law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. It expressly forbids law enforcement officers from inquiring about an individual's immigration status, including those of crime victims and witnesses, unless mandated by state or federal law. The bill requires that interviews related to immigration enforcement conducted under the custody of law enforcement proceed only with the individual's informed consent. This consent must be obtained through a multilingual written form that clearly communicates the nature of the interview and the individual's rights, including the right to decline the interview or to request the presence of legal counsel.

Additionally, the bill restricts communications with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by limiting notifications regarding an individual’s release from local or state custody. It mandates that these individuals be informed of any federal requests concerning their detention. The bill also prohibits state and local law enforcement and correctional officers from carrying out immigration enforcement functions and invalidates existing agreements that conflict with this prohibition unless they relate to inter-governmental arrangements for housing detainees with DHS covering daily expenses.

This legislative bill aims to support agricultural and farm work in Massachusetts by introducing tax incentives and modifying labor regulations. It establishes a refundable tax credit for employers who provide overtime pay to agricultural workers, with the credit proportionally increasing for smaller farms. The tax credit covers up to 40% of the overtime wages paid, and if it exceeds the taxpayer's liability, the excess will be refunded. Additionally, the bill amends labor laws to require overtime pay at one and a half times the regular hourly rate for farm workers who exceed 55 hours of work per week. Definitions within the bill update the distinctions between primary and secondary agriculture and clarify who qualifies as an agricultural employee.

The bill instructs the Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor Standards to develop and implement regulations within six months of enactment. These regulations will ensure the administration of the tax credits and compliance with new overtime rules, incorporating input from stakeholders to determine the credit scaling based on farm size and define work requirements for the revised overtime threshold. The provisions concerning tax credits are set to take effect on January 1 of the year after the bill's enactment, while all other sections will become effective immediately upon passage.

This bill proposes changing how certain foreign income amounts are handled under state tax law. Under the bill, 50% of revenue received from non-US companies that are controlled by American individuals, federally considered the so-called GILTI income, will be subject to state income tax. These changes are scheduled to be effective for tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025.

This bill replaces current law on underperforming schools and receivership, and substitutes reforms relating to the oversight and performance of underperforming schools. Key provisions include the establishment of local stakeholder groups tasked with developing comprehensive support and improvement plans for up to five percent of schools selected as needing support. These groups will comprise superintendents, school committee members, union representatives, educators, parents, and community figures. The improvement plans will employ evidence-based interventions such as class size reduction, professional development, and student mental and social health support services. The focus is on aligning strategies with the school’s vision and addressing unique challenges and strengths. Plans are set for a four-year duration, with annual reviews and possible extensions upon meeting exit criteria.

The bill also mandates a transition plan for districts in receivership, to conclude within a year, facilitated by necessary funding and technical assistance. A special commission is to be established to evaluate and recommend enhancements to the state's student, school, and district assessment systems, ensuring federal compliance while promoting authentic and less demographically biased evaluation methods. Additionally, the bill revises the financial arrangements between public school districts and charter schools, imposing a cap on charter school tuition payments at 9% of a district's net school spending, with additional allowances in excess of the cap if necessary due to siblings attending charter schools.

This bill focuses on regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision systems (ADS) within workplaces. It sets forth comprehensive guidelines for the deployment of electronic monitoring tools by employers, which can only be employed for specific purposes such as quality control, compliance, or workplace safety, with minimal and only necessary data collection. Employers are required to provide written notice and obtain employee consent before implementing these tools, clearly specifying their purpose, the data collected, and retention policies, and ensuring they adopt the least invasive monitoring methods. It also mandates the maintenance of detailed compliance records and the protection of data confidentiality and integrity. Restrictions include provisions banning monitoring to obtain health or other private information about employees, and may not take place in bathrooms, locker rooms, lounges and similar spaces. Importantly, the bill prohibits using electronic monitoring data for disciplinary actions unless performance standards have been disclosed to employees with proper notice.

Additionally, the bill governs the use of automated employment decision tools, requiring these tools to undergo impact assessments by independent auditors. These assessments must evaluate the tools' validity, potential biases, and effects on protected groups, ensuring they do not foster discrimination and are not solely relied upon for employment decisions. Meaningful human oversight is required, and employers must inform employees and candidates about their use, offering alternatives or accommodations as necessary. The bill specifically bans the use of ADS with facial or emotion recognition technologies unless essential for security reasons, protects employees from retaliatory actions when challenging AI outputs, and mandates regular impact assessments by state agencies to avoid discriminatory outcomes. Moreover, it restricts the use of automated decision systems in public services unless authorized by law, aiming for transparency and accountability in the use of AI and ADS within state operations.

This bill requires schools to limit student access to personal electronic devices during the school day. Exceptions are made for emergencies or educational needs. Schools must communicate these policies to parents and submit them to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for oversight and guidance. Schools must also educate students on the social, emotional, and physical risks of social media use.

Social media platforms must implement nearly foolproof age verification systems and establish default privacy-focused settings for minors, including permitting communication and content sharing only with established connections, disabling features like autoplay and continuous scrolling, and barring access during certain hours, such as nighttime and school hours. Platforms are also required to include mechanisms for flagging unwanted content and must issue health warnings related to social media use. 

This bill replaces current law on underperforming schools and receivership, and substitutes reforms relating to the oversight and performance of underperforming schools. Key provisions include the establishment of local stakeholder groups tasked with developing comprehensive support and improvement plans for up to five percent of schools selected as needing support. These groups will comprise superintendents, school committee members, union representatives, educators, parents, and community figures. The improvement plans will employ evidence-based interventions such as class size reduction, professional development, and student mental and social health support services. The focus is on aligning strategies with the school’s vision and addressing unique challenges and strengths. Plans are set for a four-year duration, with annual reviews and possible extensions upon meeting exit criteria.

The bill also mandates a transition plan for districts in receivership, to conclude within a year, facilitated by necessary funding and technical assistance. A special commission is to be established to evaluate and recommend enhancements to the state's student, school, and district assessment systems, ensuring federal compliance while promoting authentic and less demographically biased evaluation methods. Additionally, the bill revises the financial arrangements between public school districts and charter schools, imposing a cap on charter school tuition payments at 9% of a district's net school spending, with additional allowances in excess of the cap if necessary due to siblings attending charter schools.

This bill mandates the creation and distribution of educational content regarding the safe storage of firearms, specifically targeting school districts throughout Massachusetts. It requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to develop model content aimed at educating school communities—including families, guardians, and staff—about the critical importance of securely storing firearms in homes and vehicles. This initiative is designed to prevent unauthorized access by children and teens, highlighting the dangers of unsecured firearms and emphasizing broader community safety. Additionally, it provides guidance on compliance with existing safe storage laws, suicide prevention, and access to behavioral health resources.

To ensure inclusivity, the model content must be published in English and multiple other languages that reflect the diversity of local communities. The content will undergo an annual review to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. School district superintendents and school committees are tasked with collaboratively distributing this information each year to all members of the school community, including staff and families. Furthermore, the content must be accessible online via the school district's website.

This bill proposes the repeal of Section 121 from Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1995, which has been subject to amendments by Sections 30 and 31 of Chapter 158 of the Acts of 2014. In effect, the bill aims to remove this specific section as modified by the later amendments, thus nullifying its legal standing and implications.

The bill creates a commission to make recommendations to ensure fair and adequate funding for PreK-12 public education. The commission will review all facets of the school funding formula and additional financial mechanisms for public schools, concentrating on the foundation budget's components, the necessity to eliminate the cap on the foundation inflation index, and the financial needs for special education and student transportation. It will also assess the effects of low and declining enrollments, the hurdles faced by rural districts, and the sufficiency of local contribution efforts, among other concerns. The commission will consist of legislators, education stakeholders, and individuals with expertise in education or municipal finance. 

The proposed bill seeks to establish a legislative commission dedicated to examining the implementation and effectiveness of community schools in Massachusetts. Community schools are public schools that collaborate with local resources to enhance the academic success and overall well-being of students, families, educators, and neighborhood residents. The commission will comprise 15 members, including officials from the education and health sectors, representatives of educational and community organizations, and appointed student and parent representatives from existing community schools.

The commission's mandate includes analyzing successful community school models both within and outside Massachusetts, exploring policies that support such models, assessing the current state and impact of community schools in Massachusetts, and identifying obstacles to their broader implementation. The commission will issue a report by February 15, 2026, detailing its findings and policy recommendations. This report will propose a statewide pilot program for community schools, outline necessary resources and funding strategies, and establish evaluation criteria. The ultimate goal is to promote statewide adoption of community schools through consistent definitions, incentivized strategies, and sustainable funding mechanisms, potentially necessitating legislative or regulatory changes.

This bill concerns educational assessments and services for English Language Learner (ELL) students, particularly those who also have disabilities. It requires that during evaluations, school committees account for a student’s English proficiency and ensure assessments are given in the student’s primary language. Additionally, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team for ELL students must include experts in second language acquisition, with the IEP addressing both their language and special education needs.

The bill prohibits school districts from suggesting parents opt out of ELL services to simplify the scheduling of special education services. It mandates schools to facilitate meaningful communication with parents and guardians through interpreters and translators who are both bilingual and skilled in specialized terminology. 

This bill establishes an Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, aimed at providing immigration legal services to eligible immigrants and refugees, with a focus on those in federal detention or facing removal proceedings. Administered by the Office for Refugees and Immigrants, the fund administers a competitive grant program that supports nonprofit organizations, law firms, and qualified private attorneys experienced in immigration law. Priority for legal services will go to individuals detained or facing immediate deportation risks. A Coordinator will offer logistical support, technical assistance, and training to legal professionals. The fund will receive revenue through a line-item in the state budget as well as external sources.

The proposed bill seeks to overhaul labor laws in Massachusetts, specifically targeting private sector labor-management relations. By repealing sections 3 through 9 of Chapter 150 and implementing new provisions in Chapter 150A, the bill enhances protections for both collective and individual rights under existing federal and state labor laws. It underscores Massachusetts' commitment to maintaining stable labor-management relations and prepares for situations where federal law does not preempt state regulations, thus allowing state laws under G.L. c. 150A to be fully enacted should federal preemption end or if the National Labor Relations Board opts out of jurisdiction.

Key amendments within the bill include redefining the terms "employer" and "employee" under state law to widen the scope of covered organizations and employment types, while explicitly excluding categories such as agricultural and domestic workers. It also revises procedural standards for certifying bargaining representatives, enabling swift state certification in instances of federal jurisdictional gaps. The definitions of "joint employer" and "written majority authorization" are updated, and there is a push towards incorporating electronic means for collective bargaining representations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces rules for pre-hearing injunctive relief in cases of unfair labor practices and specifies mandatory reporting for certain labor-relations activities. A significant provision restricts employers from conducting captive audience meetings during crucial unionization periods. It also mandates the establishment of new regulations for conducting electronic representation elections. Collectively, these changes aim to fortify workers' rights to collective bargaining and provide clearer processes within the Massachusetts labor framework.

This bill proposes a series of incremental increases to the minimum wage in Massachusetts, and includes a mechanism to adjust it based on inflation. The bill raises the minimum wage in successive annual increments from the current $15.00 to $16.25, then to $17.50, $18.75, and finally reaching $20.00 in 2029. For employees earning a subminimum wage, incremental raises are also outlined, progressing from $6.75 to $7.92, $9.19, and $10.55, ultimately adjusting to 60 percent of the calculated minimum wage by 2030. Additionally, the bill mandates that starting in 2030, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will determine an adjusted minimum wage reflecting inflation changes, using the consumer price index for urban wage earners.

The "Safe Communities Act" bill limits the role of state law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. It expressly forbids law enforcement officers from inquiring about an individual's immigration status, including those of crime victims and witnesses, unless mandated by state or federal law. The bill requires that interviews related to immigration enforcement conducted under the custody of law enforcement proceed only with the individual's informed consent. This consent must be obtained through a multilingual written form that clearly communicates the nature of the interview and the individual's rights, including the right to decline the interview or to request the presence of legal counsel.

Additionally, the bill restricts communications with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by limiting notifications regarding an individual’s release from local or state custody. It mandates that these individuals be informed of any federal requests concerning their detention. The bill also prohibits state and local law enforcement and correctional officers from carrying out immigration enforcement functions and invalidates existing agreements that conflict with this prohibition unless they relate to inter-governmental arrangements for housing detainees with DHS covering daily expenses.

This bill proposes the implementation of a refundable tax credit for employers in Massachusetts who hire non-family individuals for agricultural and farm work, aiming to incentivize the employment of such workers. It allows for a tax credit amounting to up to 40% of the overtime wages paid to these employees. The exact percentage of the credit depends on the size of the employer’s agricultural workforce, with smaller farms receiving a higher percentage credit, but capped at 40%. Additionally, the bill updates wage and hour regulations to mandate that agricultural workers must receive 1.5 times their standard pay for hours worked beyond 55 per week.

A key aspect of the bill is the revision of definitions related to agricultural work, differentiating between 'primary agriculture'—such as farming, harvesting, and dairy production—and 'secondary agriculture'—such as preparing commodities for sale. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is given a six-month period to draft regulations for implementing the tax credit, adjusting the credit scale according to the size of the farm. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor Standards is tasked with formulating regulations to define criteria for overtime pay eligibility in collaboration with stakeholders. Implementation of these frameworks will involve stakeholder consultation to ensure they are effectively integrated into existing systems. While most sections of the bill take effect immediately, the tax credit provisions are set to become operative from the start of the next calendar year following the bill’s passage.

This legislative bill introduces a suite of new protections and benefits for agricultural and farm workers. Key provisions include the implementation of paid time off, where agricultural employees can accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, with a maximum accrual of 55 hours per year. Employees must wait 45 days before using this leave upon being newly hired, and any unused paid time off must be compensated upon an employee's resignation or discharge. This leave can be taken for any reason with appropriate notice and cannot be replaced with sick leave or result in retaliation. Employers may also offer more generous leave policies at their discretion.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that agricultural workers working for eight or more hours in a day are entitled to two paid 15-minute breaks, with requirements ensuring that break areas have regulated temperatures and access to hydration. The bill updates definitions related to agricultural work, distinguishing primary and secondary agricultural activities, and aligns the minimum wage for agricultural employees with the general minimum wage. The Department of Labor Standards is responsible for establishing regulations to ensure safe and suitable conditions for these breaks, particularly during extreme temperatures. While most provisions of this bill take immediate effect, the regulations concerning break conditions will be implemented in the following calendar year.

This bill proposes changing how certain foreign income amounts are handled under state tax law. Under the bill, 50% of revenue received from non-US companies that are controlled by American individuals, federally considered the so-called GILTI income, will be subject to state income tax. These changes are scheduled to be effective for tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025.