Bill > H1762

This bill establishes a "Living Wage Law" for employees and contracted employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aiming to ensure a minimum wage that meets basic living costs. It defines key terms such as "Employer" as state agencies, "Covered Vendor" as entities with service contracts with the state, and "Covered Employee" as those working directly on those contracts. The bill mandates that covered vendors pay their covered employees a "Living Wage," which is set to be at least $15.00 per hour starting July 1, 2016, and will be adjusted annually based on the poverty threshold for a family of four, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the Boston area, or 110% of the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is highest. Exemptions apply to construction contracts subject to prevailing wage laws and certain work-study programs. Covered vendors are required to provide employees with information about the law, maintain payroll records, and include a commitment to the living wage in their contracts. The Department of Labor Standards will enforce the law, with provisions for investigations, complaint procedures, and penalties for non-compliance, including potential contract termination and ineligibility for future state contracts. The bill also allows for local option adoption by cities and towns and permits waivers through bona fide collective bargaining agreements if explicitly stated.