Bill > S2142

This bill aims to discourage employers from relocating call centers and customer service operations out of Massachusetts, either to other states or foreign countries. The legislation requires employers with 50 or more full-time employees to notify the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development 120 days before relocating a significant portion (30% or more) of their call center operations. Employers who fail to provide this notice can be fined up to $10,000 per day of violation. The Secretary will compile a semiannual list of such relocating employers and distribute it to state agencies. Employers on this list will be ineligible for state grants, loans, or tax benefits for five years and may be required to repay previous governmental support. The bill includes provisions for potential waivers if denying support would cause substantial job losses or environmental harm. Additionally, the legislation mandates that state-related call center and customer service work must be performed entirely within Massachusetts, giving current contractors two years to comply. Contractors adding new customer service employees must hire them within the state. The bill explicitly ensures that workers from relocated businesses can still receive unemployment, disability, and retraining benefits. The act will become effective 180 days after its enactment.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2142