WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 2780

An Act to make data on workforce development outcomes public and accessible

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Aaron Saunders

The bill would publicly disclose standardized, aggregate workforce outcomes data while boosting privacy protections and building a cross-agency data infrastructure.

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 2780

Summary: House Bill HD 2780 — An Act to make data on workforce development outcomes public and accessible

Overview and Purpose

HD 2780 seeks to increase transparency and public access to data on workforce development outcomes in Massachusetts. The bill would expand how, when, and with whom workforce data can be shared, establish a standardized disclosure process, require quarterly wage-data reporting for certain programs, and create a dedicated task force to improve the state’s workforce data infrastructure. The goal is to better measure program performance, improve service delivery, and illustrate how workforce education and training translate into sustainable employment while protecting individual privacy.

Key Provisions and Changes

Expanded data sharing (Section 14P, amended)

  • The director may share information secured under this section with various entities, including:
    • Federal, state, or local governmental agencies
    • The 16 MassHire workforce development boards
    • A chief elected official (per federal definitions)
    • Agents or contractors of any governmental agency
  • Purposes for sharing include:
    • Evaluation of program performance (including longitudinal outcome analysis)
    • Financial or regulatory reporting requirements
    • Preparation of legally required reports
    • Operation of public programs by sharing agencies, their agents, and contractors
    • Establishment of common case management systems across agencies to support a shared customer base
    • Fostering workforce development partnerships, program coordination, inter-agency collaboration, improving services, and creating efficiencies

New disclosure-approval framework (New subsection (j))

  • The department must: 1) Develop minimum requirements for granting disclosure requests (per 20 CFR Part 603 Subpart B, Sec. 603.10) 2) Develop a standard application for disclosure requests 3) Process decisions within 30 business days of receiving the standard application; allow 20 days for applicants to supply additional information; respond with final written decision within 30 calendar days after receipt of any additional information 4) Make publicly available the disclosure requirements, the standard application, timelines, and contact information 5) For wage data requests approved for the Department of Career Services and MassHire boards, provide quarterly, aggregate data (participant demographics; program participation; service location; credential attainment) while complying with privacy laws

Public data accessibility

  • The department must publish on its website the minimum disclosure requirements, the standard application, timelines for determinations, and assistance contacts.

Data-privacy-conscious wage data reporting

  • Quarterly wage data reporting to the department (and to MassHire boards) will occur for approved requests, focusing on aggregate, de-identified information to protect privacy.

Workforce data infrastructure Task Force (Section 3)

  • Within 30 days after the act’s effective date, a cross-agency task force must be convened to develop steps to improve state workforce data infrastructure and data use.
  • Objectives include:
    • Linking education, workforce development, and employment data with data from other states, while protecting privacy
    • Maintaining data security and privacy compliance
    • Improving access to wage data shared among agencies to enable program evaluation
    • Participating in the Massachusetts education-to-career data system and other longitudinal data efforts
    • Reviewing quarterly measures, analyzing equitable access, and ensuring data availability to system partners, stakeholders, and the public as allowed
    • Developing a two- and six-year plan for system improvements
  • The task force must produce a report with findings, recommendations, and draft legislation

Affected Parties

  • Massachusetts Department of Career Services and the Department of Unemployment Assistance
  • MassHire workforce development boards
  • Other state agencies delivering or supporting workforce services
  • Public and private entities that may request or use workforce data
  • The general public (via expanded access to aggregate outcomes)

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The act adds a formal, written process for data disclosures with defined deadlines (30 business days for initial decision, 20-day information extension, 30 calendar days for final decision)
  • Public-facing disclosure requirements to be posted on the department’s website
  • Creation of a cross-agency task force to operate within 30 days of the act’s effective date, with a two- and six-year planning horizon
  • Quarterly wage data reporting obligations for approved wage-data requests

Potential Impact

  • Increased transparency of workforce development outcomes
  • Enhanced ability to evaluate program effectiveness and equitable access
  • Strengthened data infrastructure and inter-agency coordination
  • Ongoing balance between public data accessibility and individual privacy protections under applicable laws

Note: The bill’s status is not provided in the cited text. The bill was filed in the 2025–2026 session as House Docket No. 2780.

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

Sign in to ask a question.