Bill

H 2124

An Act to protect hospital workers from being deprived of their wages

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kevin Honan and 1 co-sponsor

Bill H 2124 protects Massachusetts hospital workers' wages, ensuring they receive rightful earnings while exempting certain cooperative and casual employees.

Read second and ordered to a third reading

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Bill Summary · H 2124

Summary of Bill H 2124: An Act to Protect Hospital Workers from Being Deprived of Their Wages

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 2124 aims to safeguard the wages of hospital workers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The legislation seeks to ensure that these employees are not deprived of their rightful earnings, addressing concerns about wage protection in the healthcare sector.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes an amendment to Section 148 of Chapter 149 of the General Laws. The significant changes include:

Exemption for Cooperative Association Employees: The bill specifies that the wage protection provisions do not apply to employees of cooperative associations who are also shareholders, unless they request to be paid weekly.
Casual Employees Exemption: It clarifies that casual employees employed by the Commonwealth or any county, city, or town are also exempt from these wage protections.

This amendment aims to refine the definitions and applicability of wage protections, ensuring that hospital workers are explicitly covered while delineating the exceptions.

Affected Parties

The primary beneficiaries of this bill are hospital workers in Massachusetts, who will gain enhanced protections regarding their wages. Additionally, the bill impacts cooperative associations and casual employees within the public sector, as it outlines specific exemptions for these groups.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: February 27, 2025
Referred to Committee: February 27, 2025 (Labor and Workforce Development)
Senate Concurrence: February 27, 2025
Hearing Scheduled: Originally set for November 3, 2025, but rescheduled to November 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:20 PM in Room B-1, with a virtual hearing option available.

Related Bills

HD 3052: This bill replaces House Docket No. 3052.

This summary provides a clear overview of Bill H 2124, outlining its purpose, key provisions, and the parties it affects, along with important legislative timelines. The bill represents a significant step towards enhancing wage protections for hospital workers in Massachusetts.

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