Workers supporting ecommerce through distribution, warehouse, call center facilities, and other essential operational support functions. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. It is possible that the payments may come in the form of a one-time refundable tax credit, the legislation adds. Workers supporting the production of protective cleaning and medical solutions, personal protective equipment, disinfectants, fragrances, and packaging that prevents the contamination of food, water, medicine, among others essential. Workers who support moving and storage services. Workers at renewable energy infrastructure (including, but not limited to wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, and/or hydroelectric), including those supporting construction, manufacturing, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, monitoring, and logistics. Workers in hardware and building materials stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant wholesalers and distributors - with reduced staff to ensure continued operations. Massachusetts essential workers will soon receive $500 payments from the commonwealth. Chemical and equipment suppliers to water and wastewater systems and personnel protection. Relative to governing the use of pesticides containing the herbicide substance Glyphosate in the Commonwealth. Workers who support weather disaster / natural hazard mitigation and prevention activities. Personnel working for companies, and their subcontractors, who perform under contract or sub-contract to the Department of Defense, as well as personnel at government-owned/contractor- operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities, and who provide materials and services to the Department of Defense, including support for weapon systems, software systems and cybersecurity, defense and intelligence communications and surveillance, space systems and other activities in support of our military, intelligence and space forces. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 1669, is brief. Environment and Natural Resources. Relative to parental rights in education. Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call -centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, Internet Exchange Points, Points of Presence, Network Access Points, back haul and front haul facilities, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment. Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables, buried conduit, small cells, other wireless facilities, and other communications sector-related infrastructure. Central office personnel to maintain and operate central office, data centers, and other network office facilities, critical support personnel assisting front line employees. Operational staff for water distribution and testing. The Federal Funds Office (FFO) provides information about federal funds provided to the Commonwealth, including: Federal funds provided to the Commonwealth in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as the Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund; Federal funds distributed to municipalities and school districts; and. Gov. Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function should only be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance. It is in recognition of that effort that we offer this bill., However, at the time, Rep. Ken Gordon questioned Zlotnik on whether or not a financial or fiscal analysis had been conducted relative to the cost that would be incurred if the legislation was signed into law, and Zlotnick admitted that no such calculation had been made, and Zlotnik said he recognizes that many details associated with the proposal still need to be contemplated.. Please limit your input to 500 characters. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Workers who staff natural gas, propane, natural gas liquids, and other liquid fuel security operations centers, operations dispatch and control rooms/centers, and emergency response and customer emergencies (including leak calls) operations. WebWorkers supporting essential maintenance, manufacturing, design, operation, inspection, security, and construction for essential products, services, and supply chain and ", Baker saidin late October that he's generally supportive of the "premium pay program," saying that "this is something that is the right thing to do.". Charlie Bakersaid in late October that he's generally supportive of the bonuses, saying that "this is something that is the right thing to do." The panel would offer its recommendations on eligibility no later than Feb. 1, 2022. Workers for crude oil, petroleum and petroleum product storage and transportation, including pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, storage facilities and racks and road transport for use as end-use fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and heating fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing. December 3, 2021 / 4:31 PM Transportation safety inspectors, including hazardous material inspectors and accident investigator inspectors. Bill No. Workers who support steam distribution companies provision of district heating and any electric generation, Workers who support steam distribution companies dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including steam leak calls, Workers who support steam distribution companies service maintenance and restoration, including call centers, Workers who support steam distribution companies storage, transmission, and distribution centers. I write about retirement policy from an actuary's perspective. Hospital and laboratory personnel (including accounting, administrative, admitting and discharge, engineering, epidemiological, source plasma and blood donation, food service, housekeeping, medical records, information technology and operational technology, nutritionists, sanitarians, respiratory therapists, etc.). Bill H.4745 191st (2019 - 2020) An Act providing hazard pay for essential workers in the COVID-19 emergency By Ms. Robinson of Framingham, a petition Dispatchers involved with service repair and restoration. Workers providing electronic point of sale support personnel for essential businesses and workers. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity. Employees and firms supporting the distribution of food, feed, and beverage and ingredients used in these products, including warehouse workers, vendor- managed inventory controllers and blockchain managers. Both chambers were in agreement on allocating $500 million for the state's unemployment trust fund and another half a billion dollars for the bonuses in the $3.8 billion package. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For legislation to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act. Financial Services. IT and OT technology for essential energy sector operations including support workers, customer service operations; energy management systems, control systems, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SCADA systems, and energy sector entity data centers; cybersecurity engineers; and cybersecurity risk management. Workers in animal diagnostic and food testing laboratories in private industries and in institutions of higher education. "The recommendations shall prioritize lower-income essential workers who performed essential duties in-person since the start of the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 10, 2020," the bill states. Workers who support the inspection and maintenance of aids to navigation, and other government provided services that ensure continued maritime commerce. Automotive repair, maintenance, and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities (including those who repair and maintain electric vehicle charging stations). Workers repairing water and wastewater conveyances and performing required sampling or monitoring, including field staff. Their household income must not be more than 300% of the federal poverty level. Title. WebTo the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled: The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: An Act relative to providing a COVID-19 retirement credit to essential public-sector workers. Government and private sector employees (including government contractors) with work related to undersea cable infrastructure and support facilities, including cable landing sites, beach manhole vaults and covers, submarine cable depots and submarine cable ship facilities. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We will use this information to improve this page. Workers in dependent care services, in support of workers in other essential products and services. Workers who produce, process, ship and handle coal used for power generation and manufacturing. Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including truck drivers, bus drivers, dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) employees, towing/recovery services, roadside assistance workers, intermodal transportation personnel, and workers who maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-jurisdiction travel). Employees supporting personal and commercial transportation services including taxis, delivery services, vehicle rental services, bicycle maintenance and car-sharing services, and transportation network providers. WebEssential Worker Bill of Rights in Massachusetts All workers deserve proper health and safety protections, protection from retaliation, access to free testing and treatment for Suppliers, designers, transporters and other workers supporting the manufacture, distribution and provision and construction of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (including cloud computing services and telework capabilities), business infrastructure, financial transactions/services, web-based services, and critical manufacturing. Workers at hotels, motels, inns, and other lodgings providing overnight accommodation, but only to the degree those lodgings are offered or provided to accommodate the COVID-19 Essential Workforce, other workers responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and vulnerable populations. The bill also includes $500 million for the unemployment insurance trust fund, $400 million in mental health and behavioral support, and hundreds of millions of dollars for climate preparedness, education, housing, economic recovery and workforce development. Theres $400 million for mental and behavioral health programs and $600 million for investments in affordable, accessible and supportive housing. Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employeesto include those employed in food ingredient production and processing facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging. It is not even clear whether he would have pursued any cost analysis, had he not been called out on this. Workers supporting communications systems and information technology- and work from home solutions- used by law enforcement, public safety, medical, energy, public works, critical manufacturing, food & agricultural production, financial services, education, and other critical industries and businesses. For legislation to reduce plastics. But, again, 79% of Massachusetts state representatives are on board with their support without taking any interest in the cost of the proposal, and even Zlotnik himself is not troubled by having brought forward a bill with such serious deficiencies. Bill S.1195 192nd (2021 - 2022) An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a "State of Emergency" declaration By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. Workers supporting the energy sector, regardless of the energy source (including but not limited to nuclear, fossil, hydroelectric, or renewable), segment of the system, or infrastructure the worker is involved in, or who are needed to monitor, operate, engineer, and maintain the reliability, safety, environmental health, and physical and cyber security of the energy system. The Massachusetts Essential Worker Pension Boost Proposal Is A Case Study In Public Pension Failures More From Forbes Mar 19, 2023,03:11pm EDT Clean In a statement posted on their website, they criticized the broad coverage acting as an unfunded mandate for municipalities, including workers even if they had worked outside their home for a single day, encompassing both blue collar and white collar workers. Elections personnel to include both public and private sector elections support. Making appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2023 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects. Charlie Baker's desk. Transportation supporting animal agricultural industries, including movement of animal medical and reproductive supplies and materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, live animals, animal by-products, and deceased animals for disposal. Workers supporting the distribution of food, pharmaceuticals (including materials used in radioactive drugs) and other medical materials, fuels, chemicals needed for water or water treatment and energy. MassLive wants to hear about your experience with the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program. H.2042 192nd (2021 - 2022) Environment and Natural Resources. Workers who support onshore and offshore drilling operations, platform and drilling construction and maintenance; transportation (including helicopter operations); maritime transportation, supply, and dredging operations; maritime navigation; natural gas and natural gas liquid production, processing, extraction, storage and transportation; well intervention, monitoring, automation and control; waste disposal, and maintenance, construction, and operations. Operational staff at wastewater treatment facilities. Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems. / CBS Boston. Massachusetts Essential Workers Bill of Rights. Employees of companies engaged in the production, storage, transport, and distribution of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including seeds, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids. Charlie Baker (R) announced Tuesday the state will begin distributing $500 payments to 500,000 low-income workers. HD5038/SD 2921- An Act to provide liability protections for contractors, sub-contractors and unions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: would indemnify contractors and unions for not completing their work because of abnormally dangerous working conditions, Click here to find contact information for your elected representatives to demand they support the above bills. The spending package, if signed into law, would use some Operational staff at wastewater collection facilities. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, farmers markets and farm stands, nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores, and other retail (including unattended and vending) that sells human food, animal/pet food and pet supply, and beverage products (including liquor stores), including retail customer support service and information technology support staff necessary for online orders, pickup and delivery. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. WebActive Massachusetts Bills ( Introduced, Engrossed, Enrolled, Passed) For legislation to promote economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs. According to the text of the bill, eligible workers would receive payments on or before January 31, 2022. Natural gas processing plants workers, and those that deal with natural gas liquids. The $500 payments, comprising the first phase of the $460 million COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program, are funded through federal coronavirus relief dollars. Workers who manage health plans, billing, and health information, who cannot practically work remotely. He has not yet confirmed that he'll sign the bill into law. Workers including contracted vendors -- who maintain, manufacture, or supply equipment and services supporting law enforcement emergency service and response operations (to include electronic security and life safety security personnel). Environment and Natural Resources. Residents slated to receive checks will have earned at least $12,750 in employment compensation in 2020, with their total household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level in 2020. Public agency workers responding to abuse and neglect of children, elders, and dependent adults. Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, inspectors and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, health care facilities, senior living facilities, and any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response. Workers who perform critical clinical research, development, and testing needed for COVID-19 response. Workers responsible for the leasing of residential properties and RV facilities to provide individuals and families with ready access to available housing. Gov. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting water and wastewater operations. Bus drivers and workers who provide or support intercity, commuter and charter bus service in support of other essential services or functions. Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures. Baker said one area of concern is the process for handing out bonuses between $500 and $2,000 for essential workers in Massachusetts who worked in The legislation Baker signed into law called for payments of between $500 and $2,000 for essential employees who worked in-person not remotely during the Workers performing security, incident management, and emergency operations functions at or on behalf of healthcare entities including healthcare coalitions, who cannot practically work remotely. / CBS Boston. / CBS Boston. It is possible that neither spouse, or only one spouse, or both spouses would be eligible for a payment.. Workers responsible for operating and dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains public transportation and buses and maintaining rail and transit infrastructure and equipment. Health Care Financing. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Maritime transportation workers, including dredgers, port workers, mariners, ship crewmembers, ship pilots and tug boat operators, equipment operators (to include maintenance and repair, and maritime-specific medical providers), ship supply, chandler, and repair companies. Supporting new and existing construction projects, including, but not limited to, pipeline construction. Includes cold- and frozen-chain logistics for food and critical biologic products. Workers providing disinfection services, for all essential facilities and modes of transportation, and supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail. WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller notedthat the House and Senate bills have plenty of "lard" local spending unrelated to the stated goals of the ARPA and many of those projects made it into the compromise agreement. Public health / community health workers, including those who compile, model, analyze and communicate public health information. Workers in other medical and biomedical facilities (including Ambulatory Health and Surgical, Blood Banks, Medical Clinics, Community Mental Health Centers, Comprehensive Outpatient rehabilitation, Methadone/OBOT Clinics, 24 hour Diversionary and Residential Behavioral Health Providers, End Stage Renal Disease, Health Departments, Home Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Rest Homes, Assisted Living Residences, Nursing Care Facilities, Organ Pharmacies, Procurement Organizations, Psychiatric Residential, Residential Treatment Schools, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, State Hospitals, licensed medical marijuana retailers, and retail facilities specializing in medical good and supplies). Workers to ensure continuity of building functions, including but not limited to security and environmental controls (e.g., HVAC), the manufacturing and distribution of the products required for these functions, and the permits and inspections for construction supporting essential infrastructure. Propane gas storage, transmission, and distribution centers. https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator, Massachusetts Coalition For Occupational Safety And Health, Families of Fallen Workers Support Services, https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator, Worker Health and Safety Agenda for the 2021 Legislative Session, Essential Worker Bill of Rights in Massachusetts, Act to Prevent Wage Theft, Promote Employer Accountability, and Enhance Public Enforcement. Manufacturer workers for health manufacturing (including biotechnology companies), materials and parts suppliers, logistics and warehouse operators, distributors of medical equipment (including those who test and repair), personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation barriers, medical gases, pharmaceuticals (including companies and institutions involved in the research and development, manufacture, distribution, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies, and medical devices, diagnostics, equipment and services) (including materials used in radioactive drugs), dietary supplements, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products. BOSTON (CBS) -- Lawmakers from the Massachusetts House and Senate failed to reach a compromise to get a massive spending bill - including a bonus of up to $2,000 for pandemic essential workers - to Gov.