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Bill

SD 1702

An Act to promote an enhanced care worker minimum wage

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 13 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishes higher minimum wage for care workers to address recruitment and retention in nursing, home health, and personal care sectors.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 1702

Legislative bill overview

SD 1702 proposes to establish an enhanced minimum wage specifically for care workers in Massachusetts, setting compensation standards above the state's general minimum wage. The bill aims to address wage gaps and retention challenges in the care sector by requiring higher pay floors for workers in roles such as nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care attendants.

Why is this important

Care workers provide essential services to elderly, disabled, and vulnerable populations but historically earn wages near or at minimum wage despite demanding physical and emotional labor. Higher wages could improve recruitment and retention in an industry facing significant workforce shortages, potentially improving care quality while reducing strain on public health systems and long-term care facilities. The bill reflects growing recognition that care work—critical infrastructure for an aging population—deserves compensation that reflects its value.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer cost burden: Long-term care facilities, home care agencies, and healthcare providers may face substantial increased labor costs, potentially leading to reduced services, facility closures, or price increases passed to consumers and government programs
  • Scope and implementation: Ambiguity around which workers qualify as "care workers," whether the mandate applies to public and private sectors equally, and how compliance will be enforced across diverse employer types
  • Economic competitiveness: Concerns that Massachusetts-specific wage mandates could drive care work and related services to neighboring states with lower wage requirements, potentially worsening workforce shortages regionally

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

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