Bill > H3108

This bill establishes a tax incentive and workforce development program specifically designed to support micro businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals or people receiving transitional assistance. Under the proposed legislation, employers with 10 or fewer employees and annual gross profits under $250,000 can receive a $2,000 tax credit for each qualifying employee hired, with eligibility lasting for 10 consecutive taxable years. The bill defines a "formerly incarcerated individual" as someone discharged from a correctional facility within the past 5 years, and requires both the employer and the employee to be based in Massachusetts. Additionally, the bill creates a new "micro business worker development and training fund" within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, which will be funded by allocating at least 15% from various state appropriations related to justice reinvestment, community empowerment, workforce development, and re-entry programs. The fund will provide graduated financial support to eligible employers, starting with $15,000 in the first year and decreasing incrementally to $9,000 in the fifth year, with the overall goal of promoting micro business development, job creation, and reducing recidivism.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3108