Bill > H2077

This bill requires employers in Massachusetts with 25 or more employees to establish and maintain a full-time human resources (HR) department, while employers with fewer than 25 employees must maintain a part-time HR department. The HR department must be staffed with at least one individual and have responsibilities including employee relations (maintaining workplace morale and addressing employee concerns), benefits administration, recruitment and hiring, training and development, ensuring legal compliance with labor laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act and Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, and maintaining employee records. The bill defines key terms such as "compliance" as adhering to federal, state, and local labor laws, and "employee relations" as efforts to foster a positive workplace culture and manage workplace communication and conflicts. Employers who fail to establish and maintain an HR department as specified will be subject to complaints and potential action by the Fair Labor Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving businesses time to prepare for the new requirement.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2077