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Bill

H 2071

An Act relative to time and a half wages

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tony Cabral

Massachusetts bill modifies overtime wage requirements, potentially expanding or restricting time-and-a-half compensation rules for workers and employers.

Accompanied a study order, see H5362
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Bill Summary · H 2071

Legislative bill overview

H 2071 proposes changes to Massachusetts wage and hour laws regarding overtime compensation at the "time and a half" rate. The bill was introduced by Representative Tony Cabral and is currently under review by the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, with a public hearing scheduled for November 17, 2025.

Why is this important

Overtime wage regulations directly affect worker compensation, employer labor costs, and economic competitiveness. Changes to time-and-a-half wage requirements could impact thousands of Massachusetts workers and businesses across various industries, particularly affecting hourly workers, small employers, and sectors with irregular scheduling.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of coverage: Disagreement over which employees or industries should be subject to time-and-a-half requirements (salaried vs. hourly, specific sectors, income thresholds)
  • Business impact: Concerns from employers about increased labor costs, potential hiring freezes, or reduced hours for employees
  • Worker protections: Labor advocates may argue the changes don't go far enough to protect workers or may challenge any proposed exemptions

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

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