Changes Coming for Domestic Workers in Massachusetts?

There may be several changes coming for Massachusetts domestic workers such as nannies, senior care workers, and housekeepers. Yesterday the House voted to raise the state’s minimum wage from $8 to $10.50 per hour over the next two years. The bill would also freeze unemployment insurance and provide benefits to household employees including two-weeks severance for live-in workers, defining “working time” for nannies and other live-in employees, requiring that meal or lodging deductions comply with state law, protections against sexual harassment and other forms of abuse, and an expansion of the Maternity Leave Act to cover domestic workers.

The bill will now go back to the Senate, which passed its own version of the bill last November. But now they will have to revisit and debate the issues; many of the bill’s supporters are hoping that there will be a vote before the current legislative session ends. Should the Senate pass this version, Governor Patrick will need to sign it, which he is expected to do. If the bill does not pass, it may be added as a ballot initiative for the November elections.

GTM will continue to monitor this issue and report on any developments. Please contact us if you have any questions.