The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
Martin J. Walsh
Richard T. Moore
William N. Brownsberger
Linda Dean Campbell
J. James Marzilli, Jr.
Stephen P. LeDuc
Barbara A. L'Italien
Denise Provost
Tom Sannicandro
Robert K. Coughlin
Joyce A. Spiliotis
Frank M. Hynes
Anne M. Gobi
Robert J. Nyman
Robert L. Hedlund
Jennifer M. Callahan
Robert L. Rice, Jr.
Thomas J. Calter
Joseph F. Wagner
Joseph R. Driscoll
Garrett J. Bradley
Ellen Story
Bruce J. Ayers
Peter J. Koutoujian
John W. Scibak
Christopher N. Speranzo
Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.
John D. Keenan
Benjamin B. Downing
Patricia D. Jehlen
Susan C. Fargo
Harriette L. Chandler
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.
John V. Fernandes
Mark V. Falzone
Robert M. Koczera
Stephen M. Brewer
James R. Miceli
Patrick M. Natale
Eugene L. O'Flaherty
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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An Act establishing a task force on the underground economy. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Whereas, the deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose which is to establish forthwith a task force on the underground economy, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is established a study and enforcement Task Force on the Underground Economy (“Task Force”). Said Task Force shall be established to conduct research, studies and interviews and to develop an enforcement strategy to address the underground economy, including but not limited to the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, the so called “under the table employment” and other means of employment that result in the underpayment or nonpayment of taxes required insurance premiums, within the Commonwealth. The members of the Task Force shall be as follows: the secretary of labor and workforce development or her designee; the commissioner of the department of revenue or his designee; the attorney general or her designee; the director of the division of industrial accidents; the director of the division of unemployment assistance; a member of the House of Representatives; a member of the Senate. The Task Force shall also have 4 advisory members appointed by the Governor. The advisory members shall consist of 2 members of the business community and 2 members of organized labor.
The appointed members of the committee and advisory, members of the Task Force shall be responsible for conducting such reasonable research or study necessary to develop a strategy for the agencies represented in the Task Force to cooperatively prosecute violators of the current wage and hour, insurance and tax laws. They shall, if necessary, develop legislation and or regulation that will allow such cooperative enforcement effort.
A report on the findings and recommendations and any draft legislation necessary to support such findings or recommendations shall be submitted to the general court no later than the first day of April, 2007.
The Task Force shall remain as such for not less than 1 year after the submittal of such report and findings to the general court. The Task Force shall be charged with the implementation of the recommendations accepted by the general court and shall submit to the general court a report on its accomplishments no later than the first day of August, 2008.