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Bill

HD 499

An Act relative to establishing a prevailing wage for security officers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chynah Tyler

Massachusetts bill to mandate prevailing wage standards for security officers, raising baseline pay but potentially increasing employer costs and operational complexity.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 499

Legislative bill overview

HD 499 would establish a prevailing wage requirement for security officers in Massachusetts, mandating minimum compensation levels based on prevailing wage standards used in public construction projects. The bill aims to raise baseline compensation and standardize pay across the security industry.

Why is this important

Security officers often earn low wages despite performing essential protective work, and prevailing wage laws could improve job quality and reduce worker turnover in this sector. This reflects broader policy debates about wage floors for contract and service workers who support infrastructure and institutional operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Business cost concerns: Security companies and private employers argue that mandated prevailing wages significantly increase operational costs, potentially reducing hiring or forcing service price increases to clients
  • Market definitions: Determining which security positions qualify (armed vs. unarmed, specialized skills) and how prevailing wage rates are calculated across diverse employer types could create implementation complexities
  • Competitive impact: Small security firms may struggle more with compliance costs than large national companies, potentially consolidating the market or creating barriers to entry for new businesses
  • Economic tradeoffs: Advocates counter that higher wages reduce turnover and training costs while improving service quality, but empirical effects on employment levels remain debated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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