Bill > H4270

This bill amends existing Massachusetts General Laws, specifically Chapter 149, sections 26 and 27, which deal with prevailing wages. Prevailing wages are the minimum wages that must be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics employed on public works projects. The bill's key provision is to insert language that recognizes and includes "bona fide apprenticeship and training programs approved by the commonwealth" as a factor to be considered alongside existing provisions like pension plans and health and welfare funds when determining prevailing wages. This means that contributions or benefits provided to these approved training programs will now be accounted for in the calculation of prevailing wages, ensuring that workers in such programs are appropriately recognized within the wage structure for public works. The specific sections referenced, 11E to 11L of Chapter 23 of the General Laws, outline the requirements for these approved apprenticeship and training programs.