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MA H4606

To protect injured workers


summary

Introduced
04/04/2022
In Committee
04/04/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

To protect injured workers

AI Summary

This bill aims to protect injured workers by making several key changes to existing laws: 1. It requires the Department of Industrial Accidents to promptly investigate, hold a conference, and report findings on workers' compensation claims, regardless of whether the case is open or active. 2. It expands the penalties for employers who retaliate against workers for exercising their rights under workers' compensation laws, including by creating a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if an adverse action is taken within 90 days of the worker exercising their rights. Workers who successfully bring a retaliation claim can recover treble damages, costs, and attorneys' fees. 3. It clarifies that "earnings" for the purpose of calculating workers' compensation benefits includes any wages the employer was required to pay under other labor laws, and requires the employer to indemnify the insurer for any additional compensation owed as a result. 4. It requires employers to provide employees with a notice regarding their rights and protections under the workers' compensation system, in the employees' primary languages.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (49)

Christine Barber (D),  Natalie Blais (D),  Michael Brady (D),  Pete Capano (D),  Mike Connolly (D),  Edward Coppinger (D),  Julian Cyr (D),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Marcos Devers (D),  Mindy Domb (D),  Michelle DuBois (D),  Jamie Eldridge (D),  Nika Elugardo (D),  Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D),  Brandy Fluker Oakley (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Colleen Garry (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Ken Gordon (D),  Tami Gouveia (D),  Jim Hawkins (D),  Chris Hendricks (D),  Natalie Higgins (D),  Russell Holmes (D),  Dan Hunt (D),  Mary Keefe (D),  Kay Khan (D),  Meghan Kilcoyne (D),  David LeBoeuf (D),  Jack Lewis (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  David Linsky (D),  Adrian Madaro (D),  Christina Minicucci (D),  Brian Murray (D),  Tram Nguyen (D),  Steve Owens (D),  Ted Philips (D),  Dave Robertson (D),  Maria Robinson (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Lindsay Sabadosa (D),  Jon Santiago (D),  Dan Sena (D),  Tom Stanley (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Erika Uyterhoeven (D),  Andy Vargas (D),  Tommy Vitolo (D), 

Other Sponsors (1)

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (J)

Last Action

No further action taken (on 01/03/2023)

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