Massachusetts lawmakers continue to debate legislation this session with substantial implications for employers in the Commonwealth. Bills aimed at preventing wage theft by employers, establishing a paid family and medical leave program, and providing accommodations for pregnant workers have gained significant momentum and received widespread support from lawmakers. The legislature also recently voted to advance to the 2018 ballot the so-called “Millionaire’s Tax,” which imposes a 4 percent surtax upon incomes above $1 million.

Wage Theft -

Workers’ rights advocates and labor leaders have joined together with Attorney General Maura Healey and much of the legislature in support of legislation aimed at preventing wage theft by employers. The bill (S.999/H.1033), titled “An Act to Prevent Wage Theft and Promote Employer Accountability,” is currently pending in the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Senator Sal DiDomenico introduced the Senate version and Representative Aaron Michlewitz introduced the House version. Wage theft – generally a business’s underpayment, non-payment, or denial of benefits to a worker – is defined in the bill as any violation of an enumerated list of labor violations within Chapter 149 of the General Laws.