Relative to governing the use of pesticides containing the herbicide substance Glyphosate in the Commonwealth. Workers responsible for the leasing of residential properties and RV facilities to provide individuals and families with ready access to available housing. Workers including contracted vendors -- who maintain, manufacture, or supply equipment and services supporting law enforcement emergency service and response operations (to include electronic security and life safety security personnel). Workers for crude oil, petroleum and petroleum product storage and transportation, including pipeline, marine transport, terminals, rail transport, storage facilities and racks and road transport for use as end-use fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and heating fuels or feedstocks for chemical manufacturing. Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting other critical government operations. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function should only be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance. Workers who support the production and transportation of chlorine and alkali manufacturing, single-use plastics, and packaging that prevents the contamination or supports the continued manufacture of food, water, medicine, and other essential products, including glass container manufacturing. Critical or strategic infrastructure includes public works construction including construction of public schools, colleges and universities and construction of state facilities, including leased space, managed by the Division of Capital Asset Management; airport operations; water and sewer; gas, electrical, nuclear, oil refining and other critical energy services; roads and highways; public transportation; steam; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services). Workers performing information technology and cybersecurity functions at healthcare and public health facilities, who cannot practically work remotely. For legislation to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act. The bonuses could be a boost for essential workers in Massachusetts who may have been hoping that Congress would act on afourth stimulus check, which now appears unlikely. Workers who support moving and storage services. Workers necessary for mining and production of critical minerals, materials and associated essential supply chains, and workers engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary for mining production and distribution. All businesses and organizations that provided COVID-19 Essential Services were included in Phase 1 of the reopening plan. Workers supporting ecommerce through distribution, warehouse, call center facilities, and other essential operational support functions. In fact, regardless of ones opinions on the various proposals to give teachers, for instance, bonuses for their year of remote teaching, it is nonetheless a far more fiscally responsible choice to make, than this proposal, which is no different than borrowing money for the same purpose. Workers including truck drivers, railroad employees and contractors, maintenance crew, and cleaners supporting transportation of chemicals, hazardous, medical, and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services, including specialized carriers, crane and rigging industry workers. Now, whether this bill ultimately becomes law is still unknown. Employees required in person to support Software as a Service businesses that enable remote working, performance of business operations, distance learning, media services, and digital health offerings, or required for technical support crucial for business continuity and connectivity. Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains, including workers at chemical manufacturing plants, workers in laboratories, workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, paintings and coatings, textiles, building materials, plumbing, electrical, and paper products. Workers who support sawmills and the manufacture and distribution of fiber and forest products, including, but not limited to timber, paper, and other wood and fiber products. Employees of companies engaged in the production, storage, transport, and distribution of chemicals, medicines, vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including seeds, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, minerals, enrichments, and other agricultural production aids. Workers at Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Authorities, and primary and backup Control Centers, including but not limited to independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and local distribution control centers. Suppliers, designers, transporters and other workers supporting the manufacture, distribution and provision and construction of essential global, national and local infrastructure for computing services (including cloud computing services and telework capabilities), business infrastructure, financial transactions/services, web-based services, and critical manufacturing. WebSpending may be reallocated between different federal funding sources, or between federal sources and state sources. Mass transit, freight and passenger rail workers, including contracted vendors, providing transit services and/or performing critical or routine maintenance to rail or mass transit infrastructure or equipment. "The recommendations shall prioritize lower-income essential workers who performed essential duties in-person since the start of the state of emergency declared by the governor on March 10, 2020," the Senate bill states. Workers in fuel sectors (including, but not limited to nuclear, coal, and gas types and liquid fuels) supporting the mining, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, and monitoring of support for resources. Senate Passes Spending Bill With Bonuses Of Up To $2,000 For Workers who support financial operations and those staffing call centers, such as those staffing data and security operations centers, managing physical security, or providing accounting services. It is in recognition of that effort that we offer this bill., However, at the time, Rep. Ken Gordon questioned Zlotnik on whether or not a financial or fiscal analysis had been conducted relative to the cost that would be incurred if the legislation was signed into law, and Zlotnick admitted that no such calculation had been made, and Zlotnik said he recognizes that many details associated with the proposal still need to be contemplated.. _____ PETITION OF: Massachusetts essential workers will soon receive $500 payments from the commonwealth. Workers including contracted vendors - who support the operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer, laboratories, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, and maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations. Workers in animal diagnostic and food testing laboratories in private industries and in institutions of higher education. Charlie Baker (R) announced Tuesday the state will begin distributing $500 payments to 500,000 low-income workers. Health Care Financing. Factors that A&F considers in matching spending with S.1178 193rd (Current) An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a public health "State of Emergency" declaration. They include: First published on December 3, 2021 / 4:31 PM. Automotive repair, maintenance, and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities (including those who repair and maintain electric vehicle charging stations). The legislation suggests that those eligible may include but not be limited to health care workers, long-term care workers, public health staff, childcare workers, educators and school staff, farm workers, food production workers, grocery store and other service workers, transportation workers, utility workers and foster care parents. Similar Bills. Additionally, workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains, and workers necessary to maintain a manufacturing operation in warm standby. If so, are you experiencing problems? In subsequent reporting, government watchdog group The Pioneer Institute voiced its opposition. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Essential support personnel for electricity operations. workers should expect to receive $500 payments over the next week, Beacon Hill must ensure sports betting legislation is equitable for Black and Brown businesses, senators told in new letter, We have the will: Mental health bill gaining traction on Beacon Hill, with House Speaker Ron Mariano backing reform. Essential Workers Who Turned Up in Pandemic May Get Payouts Community Property Estate Planning Not So Simple, Calculating The Right Number Of Bank Accounts For Your Solo Business, Most Likely President Joe Biden Will Live Through A Second Term, Life Expectancy Data Show, Why Women Are Better (Investors) Than Men, Older Adults With Middle Incomes Are Trapped In The Affordable Housing Gap, Inherit A Roth IRA? Trade Officials (FTA negotiators; international data flow administrators). Environment and Natural Resources. Workers who conduct community-based public health functions, conducting epidemiologic surveillance, compiling, analyzing and communicating public health information, who cannot practically work remotely. Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for needy groups and individuals, including in-need populations and COVID-19 responders (including travelling medical staff). Massachusetts Essential Workers Bill It is possible that neither spouse, or only one spouse, or both spouses would be eligible for a payment.. Relative to health insurance consumer deductibles. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Relative to the use of chlorpyrifos in the Commonwealth. Propane gas service maintenance and restoration, including call centers. Workers performing mortuary funeral, cremation, burial, cemetery, and related services, including at funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries, and coffin makers. Please enter valid email address to continue. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. [Local Approval Received.]. Dispatch and control rooms and emergency response and customer emergencies, including propane leak calls. Bill No. He has not yet confirmed that he'll sign the bill into law. Workers who support the inspection and maintenance of aids to navigation, and other government provided services that ensure continued maritime commerce. Both chambers were in agreement on allocating $500 million for the state's unemployment trust fund and another half a billion dollars for the bonuses in the $3.8 billion package. March 1, 2023. The panel would offer its recommendations on eligibility no later than Feb. 1, 2022. WebEssential Worker Bill of Rights in Massachusetts All workers deserve proper health and safety protections, protection from retaliation, access to free testing and treatment for Published: Mar. BOSTON (CBS) -- Lawmakers from the Massachusetts House and Senate failed to reach a compromise to get a massive spending bill - including a bonus of up to $2,000 for pandemic essential workers - to Gov. Operational staff for water distribution and testing. Any questions can be directed to covid19.biz@mass.gov. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Baker's administration and an advisory panel would determine who exactly qualifies as an "essential worker." Essential employees who worked in-person throughout the pandemic could be cashing in on taxpayer-funded bonuses of up to $2,000 under a $3.65 billion plan by House lawmakers. Use this button to show and access all levels. Ethanol and biofuel production, refining, and distribution. For legislation to establish the pesticide control modernization and environmental protection task force. The bill also includes $500 million for the unemployment insurance trust fund, $400 million in mental health and behavioral support, and hundreds of millions of dollars for climate preparedness, education, housing, economic recovery and workforce development. Environmental remediation/monitoring, limited to immediate critical needs technicians. The Senate Wednesday night unanimously approved a $3.82 billion package that aims to spend billions in federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act. Workers at coal mines, production facilities, and those involved in manufacturing, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance and monitoring at coal sites which is critical to ensuring the reliability of the electrical system. Environment and Natural Resources. Bill S.1195 Theres $400 million for mental and behavioral health programs and $600 million for investments in affordable, accessible and supportive housing. External Affairs personnel to assist in coordinating with local, state and federal officials to address communications needs supporting COVID-19 response, public safety, and national security. Organizations and workers responsible for the care and custody of animals, pets and livestock. Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health (including those involved in supporting emergency veterinary or livestock services); raising of animals for food; animal production operations; livestock markets; slaughter and packing plants, manufacturers, renderers, and associated regulatory and government workforce. An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a declaration of a state of emergency H.4739 191st (2019 - 2020) An Act creating a Workers who perform critical clinical research, development, and testing needed for COVID-19 response. Workers supporting the safe transportation of chemicals, including those supporting tank truck cleaning facilities and workers who manufacture packaging items. The Commonwealths Reopening Massachusetts process is now underway, and all businesses and organizations should review that process to determine when they are permitted to reopen. Workers needed to preempt and respond to cyber incidents involving critical infrastructure, including medical facilities, SLTT governments and federal facilities, energy and utilities, and banks and financial institutions, securities/other exchanges, other entities that support the functioning of capital markets, public works, critical manufacturing, food & agricultural production, transportation, and other critical infrastructure categories and personnel, in addition to all cyber defense workers (who can't perform their duties remotely). Workers providing electronic point of sale support personnel for essential businesses and workers. H.1935 193rd (Current) An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a declared public health state of emergency . Bills & Laws - malegislature.gov The spending package, if signed into law, would use some Spending may be reallocated between different federal funding sources, or between federal sources and state sources. Bill S Workers supporting the energy sector through renewable energy infrastructure or energy efficiency projects (including, but not limited to wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen, ocean, geothermal, and/or hydroelectric), including those supporting construction, manufacturing, transportation, permitting, operation/maintenance, monitoring, and logistics. "The Baker-Polito Administration believes the Legislature's original decision six months ago to freeze these funds and subject them to the legislative process created a massive delay in putting these taxpayer dollars to work," Press Secretary Terry MacCormack said in a statement. Workers in other medical and biomedical facilities (including Ambulatory Health and Surgical, Blood Banks, Medical Clinics, Community Mental Health Centers, Comprehensive Outpatient rehabilitation, Methadone/OBOT Clinics, 24 hour Diversionary and Residential Behavioral Health Providers, End Stage Renal Disease, Health Departments, Home Health care, Hospices, Hospitals, Rest Homes, Assisted Living Residences, Nursing Care Facilities, Organ Pharmacies, Procurement Organizations, Psychiatric Residential, Residential Treatment Schools, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, State Hospitals, licensed medical marijuana retailers, and retail facilities specializing in medical good and supplies).