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Mass. General Laws c.149

Labor and industries

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§ 1 Definitions 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 141, §§ 5-6, effective October 29, 2024

§ 2 Enforcement of chapter 
§ 3 Inspections and investigations 
§ 4 Reports of diseases 
§ 5 Investigations of industrial conditions; complaints; prosecutions 
§ 6 Safety devices and means to prevent accidents and diseases generally; fees for structural painting 
§ 6 1/2 Protection of employees consistent with federal Occupational Safety and Health Act; occupational health and safety hazard advisory board 
§ 6A Monitoring, inspection and investigation of work involving asbestos 
§ 6B License for business activities involving asbestos; fee 
§ 6C Health and safety of general public and asbestos workers; rules and regulations 
§ 6D Complaints by employees relating to asbestos; retaliation by employer 
§ 6D 1/2 Employer required to reimburse Health Safety Net Trust Fund; retaliation by employer prohibited 
§ 6E Violations of workplace standards relating to asbestos; cease and desist orders 
§ 6F Penalties for violations of Secs. 6B to 6E 
§ 6F 1/2 Action for temporary restraining order or injunction against violations of Secs. 6A to 6E; enforcement 
§ 6G Release or waiver of damages caused by asbestos 
§ 7 Committees for investigations and recommendation of regulations 
§ 8 Notices and hearings before adoption of regulations and orders; effective dates 
§ 9 Appeals; suspensions pending hearings; enforcement of orders; other remedies 
§ 10 Entry of places of employment for investigations 
§ 11 Reports by physicians generally 
§ 11A Occupational lead registry; blood lead testing reports; regulations; enforcement 
§ 12 Regulations prevailing over regulations of workmen's compensation insurer 
§ 13 Violations of regulations or orders 
§ 14 Annual reports of commissioner 
§ 15 Inspection districts; assignment of inspectors 
§ 16 Receipt of gift by inspector 
§ 17 Entry of places of employment for examinations and investigations; access to records 
§ 18 Duties of industrial health inspectors relative to minors 
§ 18A Sanitary and safety conditions; tools; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18B Confined spaces; ventilation; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18C Power transmission equipment; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18D Ropes, hooks and cranes; use and operation; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18E Safety precautions in dangerous undertakings; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18F Explosives; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18G Industrial truck and internal combustion equipment; operation; construction of docks; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18H Stop signals; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 18I Penalty for violation of Secs. 18A to 18H; longshore and waterfront operations 
§ 19 Prevention of employment 
§ 19A Copy of medical report for employee 
§ 19B Lie detector tests; use as condition of employment; penalty; civil action 
§ 19C Employment of aliens restricted; regulations; penalty 
§ 20 Coercion of agreement not to join a labor organization 
§ 20A Relief afforded by contract relative to membership in a labor or employer organization 
§ 20B Liability for unlawful acts of officers, members or agents of an organization 
§ 20C Definitions 
§ 20D Solicitation, acceptance or payment of money to encourage or discourage formation or functioning of a labor organization 
§ 20E Business combination transactions; labor contracts; definitions; remedies 
§ 21 False notices or advertisement for help or employment 
§ 22 Advertising for or soliciting employees during labor troubles; notice to employment agency; employment of children 
§ 22A Professional strikebreakers; obstruction of picketing 
§ 23 Filling place of employees; size of letters mentioning labor troubles; penalty 
§ 23A Armed guards during labor troubles; qualifications; violation of statute 
§ 23B Use of civil defense personnel in labor disputes 
§ 24 Communications and conduct during labor disputes 
§ 24A Dismissal or refusal to employ certain persons on account of age; penalty 
§ 24B Contract provisions preventing employment of certain persons on account of age 
§ 24C Investigation of complaints of discrimination; ascertainment of age of employees; examination and transcript of records 
§ 24D Records of ages of employees; copy furnished to commissioner; violation of statute 
§ 24E Hindering investigation of age discrimination; refusal of information 
§ 24F Discharge of employee for furnishing evidence or testifying in connection with discrimination complaint; penalty 
§ 24G Publication of name of employer found to be violation of provisions of Secs. 24A to 24J; summons to show cause; liability for damages 
§ 24H Appeal from decision of commissioner 
§ 24I Inapplicability of Secs. 24A to 24J to farm laborers 
§ 24J Severability of Secs. 24A to 24I 
§ 24L Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act 
§ 25 Lodging, board and trade of public employees; statute part of employment contract 
§ 26 Public works; preference to veterans and citizens; wages 
§ 27 List of jobs; classification; schedule of wages; penalty; civil action 
§ 27A Appeals from classifications and wage determinations 
§ 27B Records of employees; payroll records; statements of compliance 
§ 27C Penalties for violations of certain sections by employers, contractors, subcontractors or their employees 
§ 27D ''Construction'' and ''constructed'' defined 
§ 27E Employment of residents in highway districts 
§ 27F Wages of operators of rented equipment; agreements; penalty; civil action 
§ 27G Wages of employees of moving contractors; contracts; injunctive relief; damages 
§ 27H Wages of employees of maintenance or cleaning contractors; contracts; civil action 
§ 28 Right of action against city or town for labor; filing statement; fee; limitations 
§ 29 Bonds for payment for labor, materials, rentals or transportation charges; enforcement of claim; notice of claim; speedy trial, appeal, consolidation; dismissal; legal fees; posting statute 
§ 29A Enforcement of surety bonds by persons furnishing labor or materials on private building projects 
§ 29B Waiver or cancellation of payment bond 
§ 29C Indemnification as part of contract 
§ 29D Surety company; bonds 
§ 29E Construction contracts; reasonable time periods for periodic progress payments and increases in contract price; payment conditioned upon receipt of payment from third party; requirement to continue performance of construction without payment 
§ 29F Payment of retainage in private construction projects 
§ 30 Eight hour day and six day week; emergencies; work on highways 
§ 30A Tours of duty and hours of work of state employees; regulations 

Amended by St.2022, c.144, § 68, effective March 1, 2023

§ 30B Overtime of state employees; regulations 

Amended by St.2022, c.144, § 69, effective March 1, 2023

§ 30C Work week of uniformed members of state police; overtime service; compensation; rules and regulations 
§ 31 Eight hour day for towns and public works for towns; emergencies; acceptance of statute relating to employees of commonwealth 
§ 32 Scope of words ''laborers, workmen and mechanics'' and ''requiring'' 
§ 33 Hours of labor to make up Saturday half holiday 
§ 33A Five day and forty hour week for cities and towns; emergencies; overtime; reduction of compensation 
§ 33B Five day week and eight hour day for cities and towns; overtime; reduction of compensation 
§ 33C City and town employees; overtime; effective date 
§ 33D Blood donations; leave of absence without loss of pay 
§ 33E Leave of absence to serve as organ donor; state, county and certain municipal employees 
§ 34 Public contracts; stipulation as to hours and days of work; void contracts 
§ 34A Contracts for public works; workers' compensation insurance; breach of contract; enforcement and violation of statute 
§ 34B Contracts for public works; wages for reserve police officer 
§ 34C Application of Secs. 30, 34 and 35 
§ 35 Violation of Sec. 30, 31 or 34 
§ 36 Nonapplicability of eight hour day and six day week statutes 
§ 37 Nine hour day for towns 
§ 38 Annual vacation for employees of commonwealth 
§ 39 Hours of labor in institutions; employees with less hours under other statutes; emergencies 
§ 41 Saturday half holiday for commonwealth 
§ 42 Work by employees of commonwealth on day work basis 
§ 43 Nondiscrimination 
§ 44 Service by veterans on Memorial Day 
§ 44 1/2 Termination of employment for veterans following return from overseas duty 
§ 44 3/4 Preference in promoting or hiring veteran, spouse of honorably discharged disabled veteran or surviving spouse of veteran 
§ 44A Definitions applicable to Secs. 44A to 44H; competitive bids; award; bonds; extreme emergency situations; records contracts not subjected to competitive bid process 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 140, §§ 141-143, effective July 1, 2024

§ 44A 1/2 Fair competition for bidders on construction 
§ 44B Plans and specifications; bid deposits 
§ 44C Suspension or debarment of contractors 
§ 44D Submission of bid or offer; application for certification 
§ 44D 1/2 General contractor bids; prequalification procedures 
§ 44D 3/4 Subcontractor sub-bids; prequalification procedures 
§ 44E Filing of bids; forms; modular buildings 
§ 44E 1/2 Renovation and repair of state house and historic Suffolk County courthouse; solicitation of bids; evaluation of bids; contract award; payment and performance bonds 
§ 44F Plans and specifications; sub-bids; form; contents 
§ 44G Allowances; alternates; weather protection devices 
§ 44H Enforcement 
§ 44I Severability of Secs. 44A to 44H 
§ 44J Invitations to bid; notice; contents; violations; penalty 
§ 44M Energy systems; life-cycle cost estimates 
§ 45 Work on holidays 
§ 46 Work for time lost by holidays 
§ 47 Sunday work without a day off 
§ 48 One day of rest in seven; operation of business on Sunday; violations 
§ 49 Establishments not subject to Sunday work and rest days; railroads or railways 
§ 50 Work not subject to Sunday work and rest days 
§ 50A One day of rest in seven for watchmen and employees maintaining fires, violations 
§ 51 Posting list of employees working on Sunday; work on days of rest 
§ 51A Exemption for special circumstances; days of rest and Sunday business 
§ 52 Time books; violation of statute 
§ 52A 1/2 Veterans; participation in Veterans or Memorial Day exercise; leave of absence granted; exceptions 
§ 52B Employment applications; volunteer work as experience 
§ 52C Personnel records; review by employee; corrections; penalty 
§ 52D Family and medical leave; enforcement 
§ 52E Leave from work when employee or family member of employee has been victim of abusive behavior 
§ 54 Core rooms where workers employed; investigations; regulations; violations 
§ 56 Minors; restrictions on hours of work; posting notices; making up time lost by stoppage of machinery; employment by shifts; minors employed on farms 
§ 57 Employment in violation of statute 
§ 58 Elevator operators; minors  
§ 60 Children under sixteen in general; school hours; night work; plays or musical comedies; fashion shows; hospitals 
§ 61 Minors under sixteen; particular employments 
§ 62 Minors under eighteen 
§ 62A Employment of vocational agricultural students 
§ 63 Dangerous or injurious employment of minors; hearing and determination 
§ 64 Employment of minors where liquor sold; taking or sending minors to immoral places 
§ 65 Hours and days of, and time for, work of minors under sixteen; time in continuation school or courses of instruction 
§ 66 Time of work for children; exceptions 
§ 67 Days and hours of work for boys or girls under eighteen 
§ 68 Time for work of minor messengers 
§ 69 Children as newspaper vendors; restrictions; penalty 
§ 70 Minors under sixteen as vendors and bootblacks, scavengers or other trade in street or public places; charge for badge for employment 
§ 71 Issuance of badges to minors; proof of age; grounds for refusal to issue 
§ 72 Badges; wearing; transfer; exhibition; regulations for issuing 
§ 73 Time for work of minors under sixteen engaged as vendors, bootblacks, scavengers or in any other trade in streets or public places 
§ 74 Posting of notice of hours of work of minor; employment at other times; changing terms 
§ 75 Forms of notice furnished by attorney general 
§ 76 Inspectors; duties; prosecutions 
§ 77 Enforcement of statutes; supervisors of attendance; appointment; powers 
§ 78 Employment of, and permitting work by, minors contrary to statutes; reports of violations 
§ 78A Written warnings and civil citations; appeal; penalties; criminal complaint 
§ 79 Hindering inspectors, supervisors of attendance or department representatives; refusal of admittance or to give information 
§ 80 Furnishing minors with articles for sale in, and encouragement of, violation of statutes 
§ 81 Compelling or permitting minor to work in violation of statute; certification of false statement 
§ 82 Violation of statutes by persons issuing badges or enforcing statutes 
§ 83 Violation of statutes by minors; revocation of badge; refusal to surrender; working after revocation 
§ 84 Service of summons or warrants 
§ 85 Nonapplicability of Secs. 60 to 83 
§ 86 Employment of children with permit; particular employments; filing, accessibility and return of, and failure to return, permit; list of employed children 
§ 87 Employment permits in general; approval; return of evidence of age; certificate by town clerk; notice of child's violation of statute 
§ 88 School record for employment permit; educational qualification; necessary school attendance 
§ 89 Employment permits; contents; signatures; fee; duplicate; records; papers furnished by department; explanatory matter 
§ 90 Employment of child under sixteen in violation of statute; penalties; forged evidence of age or birth; certification of false statements in, and alteration of, permit 
§ 91 Cessation of employment for non-attendance of continuation school; violation of statute 
§ 92 Visiting to ascertain employment of children; reporting illegal employment; complaint; violation of statute 
§ 93 Employment contrary to statute; taking minor to school; reporting evidence to court or justice; complaint; violation of statute 
§ 94 Employment permits, educational certificates and lists of employed minors produced for inspection; evidence of illegal employment 
§ 95 Minors 16 years or older who have not completed requirements for sixth grade; attendance at school 
§ 95A Work-study program exception to permit for employment requirement; exceptions 
§ 96 Manual training and industrial education; effect of statutes 
§ 100 Hours of work without interval for meal; duration; violation of statute 
§ 101 Nonapplicability of statute relating to mealtimes and intervals for meals 
§ 102 Labor during mealtime without knowledge of employer 
§ 103 Seats for employees; violation of statute 
§ 104 Children participants in public exhibitions; violation of statute 
§ 105 License for theatrical exhibitions or shows in which children are employed 
§ 105A Discrimination in payment of wages on basis of sex of employee prohibited; damages; actions in general; assignment of claim; limitations 
§ 105B Violation of Secs. 105A to 105C; discharge or discrimination because of complaint, proceedings or testimony; penalties 
§ 105C Entry of premises, and investigation to determine compliance with Secs. 105A to 105C 
§ 105D Parental leave; rights and benefits 
§ 105E Wage data reporting 

Added by St. 2024, c. 141, § 7, effective October 29, 2024

§ 105F Covered employers; pay range disclosures 

Added by St. 2024, c. 141, § 7, effective October 29, 2025

§ 106 Drinking water; violation of statute; coverage of term ''industrial establishments'' 
§ 107 Water for humidifying purposes; violation of statute 
§ 108 Thermometers for humidity and temperature; regulations; place; reading; record 
§ 109 Nonapplicability of statute relating to thermometers; hygrometers; psychrometers; records 
§ 110 Relative humidity limits 
§ 111 Sources of water for humidifying purposes; clean air ducts 
§ 112 Failure to comply with Secs. 108 to 111; penalty 
§ 113 Light, ventilation, cleanliness, sanitation and heat in establishments 
§ 114 Investigations and suggestions relative to eyes and vision 
§ 115 Devices and means to prevent injury to eyes; order; compliance; violation of statute 
§ 116 Investigations as to light; notice to change; failure to comply with order 
§ 117 Ventilation 
§ 118 Means to diminish inhalation of dust 
§ 119 Hoods or hoppers and suction pipes for emery or buffing wheels or belts 
§ 120 Form and place of hoods or hoppers; size and speed of blowers; approval by attorney general 
§ 121 Nonapplicability of statutes relating to emery and buffing machinery 
§ 122 Violation of statutes relating to ventilation, dust and emery and buffing machinery 
§ 123 Inspections relative to apparatus for emery and buffing machinery; complaint; prosecution 
§ 124 Communication between engineer's room and machinery room 
§ 125 Violation of statute relating to communication 
§ 126 Fastening doors during business hours; violation of statute 
§ 127 Guards for, and cleaning of, machinery; disconnection and removal of safety devices 
§ 128 Traversing carriage of a self-acting mule traveling close to fixed structure 
§ 129 Safeguards for hoistways, hatchways and well holes; closing trapdoors 
§ 129A Shoring trenches for local governments; graves excepted 
§ 129B Stilts; penalty for requiring or knowingly permitting use in construction 
§ 129C Installation or repair of live electric wires or electrical equipment; assistance; safety equipment; penalty 
§ 129D Riding in man-basket carried by hoisting machinery for bungee jumping or other approved activity 
§ 130 Explosives or inflammable materials; storage and use near egress 
§ 131 Guards for loom shuttles; violation of statute 
§ 132 Suction shuttles; shuttle or thread touching lips; violation of statute 
§ 133 Water closets, toilets and washing facilities; regulations; definitions of ''industrial establishments'' and ''railroad establishments'' 
§ 134 Necessary changes; action for proportion of expense 
§ 135 Prosecutions; necessity of neglect to make changes; notice; liability of corporate officer 
§ 136 Violation of public health laws; notice to town board of health; enforcement 
§ 137 Foundry toilet rooms and water closets; failure to comply with statute 
§ 138 Injuring toilet appliances 
§ 139 Lockers and clothes receptacles of employees; violation of statute 
§ 141 Medical and surgical chests; accommodations for treatment of injured or ill persons; facilities for heating food; violation of statute 
§ 141A Lifting heavy objects in textile factories  
§ 142 Sanitary material for cleaning printing presses 
§ 142A Marked receptacles for benzol, carbon tetrachloride or other substances hazardous to health 
§ 142B Marked receptacles for materials containing benzol, carbon tetrachloride or other substances hazardous to health 
§ 142C Markings; clear and conspicuous; size; place 
§ 142D Receptacles exempt from marking requirements 
§ 142E Reports concerning material hazardous to health 
§ 142F Violation of Secs. 142A to 142C; failure to mark receptacles; removal or defacement of marks; penalty 
§ 142G Enforcement of statutes and regulations 
§ 143 Definitions applicable to Secs. 143 to 144H 
§ 143A Protection from undue competition and of health and well-being of workers 
§ 144 Unlawful industrial homework 
§ 145 Investigation of industries; order declaring industrial homework unlawful 
§ 146 Hearing preceding order; notice; place; effective date of order 
§ 146A Distribution of materials and articles; necessity of place of employment in commonwealth 
§ 147 Employer's permit; person to whom materials or articles may be delivered; effect of strike; payment of fees into treasury 
§ 147A Homeworker's certificate; place of work; work performed by others; qualifications of applicant and home; strike against employer 
§ 147B Employer's name and address affixed to articles or container of goods delivered for homework 
§ 147C Work in violation of statutes; removal, retention and disposition of articles; notice 
§ 147D Record of homeworkers and work 
§ 147E Regulations; violations; inspections and investigations 
§ 147F Attendance of witnesses and production of books and papers; summons and court order; fees; oaths; depositions 
§ 147G Additional penalties 
§ 147H Educational and philanthropic organizations; homework performed under supervision of commission for the blind 
§ 148 Payment of wages; commissions; exemption by contract; persons deemed employers; provision for cashing check or draft; violation of statute 
§ 148A Employees seeking rights under provisions of this chapter; discharge or discrimination; punishment 
§ 148B Persons performing service not authorized under this chapter deemed employees; exception 
§ 148C Earned sick time 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 186, § 42, effective November 21, 2024

§ 148D Earned sick time outreach program 
§ 149 Summons and warrant for violations of Sec. 148 
§ 150 Complaint for violation of certain sections; defenses; payment after complaint; assignments; loan of wages to employer; civil action 
§ 150A Notification of deductions 
§ 150B Fees or assessments other than those chargeable under union constitution and by-laws 
§ 150C Improper expenditure of withholdings or deductions from wages; penalties 
§ 151 Payment on pay day before close of working hours 
§ 152 Deductions for coming late to work 
§ 152A Service charges and tips; tip pools; penalties 

Amended by St.2020, c.358, § 77, effective January 14, 2021

§ 153 Grading work of weavers; imperfections affecting wages; conditions precedent to fines 
§ 154 Employer's fine upon weaver for imperfections; violations of statutes 
§ 155 Specifications as to work and wages for weavers, frame tenders, warpers, web drawers and operatives paid by the pound 
§ 156 Specifications and tickets; posting and attaching; contents; pick clocks; excess of maximum lengths; violation of statute 
§ 157 Violation of Sec. 155; interference with inspectors 
§ 157A Employees paid by piece; tickets stating basis of remuneration; posting statement of amount of pay earned 
§ 158 Stopped machinery; deductions from wages; making up lost time; penalty 
§ 158A Work without compensation  
§ 159 Discharge of employee without notice 
§ 159B Reimbursement of expenses for medical examinations 
§ 159C Staffing agencies; notice of information concerning employee's assignment; fees prohibited; transportation services; prohibited activities by staffing 
§ 173 Destruction or sale of records and papers 
§ 175 Bells, whistles and gongs 
§ 176 Non-resident as special police officer 
§ 177 Police assistance in protecting property; non-residents assisting with arms; liability in damages 
§ 177A Contract exempting employer from liability to employee 
§ 177B Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians; responding to emergencies; discharge from other employment 
§ 178 Leave of absence from work for voting 
§ 178A Payment of wages of intestate employee; officer or employee of commonwealth or subdivision 
§ 178B Deductions from salary for certain financial institutions; credit union bonds; withdrawal of authorization by employee; attachment or execution; pension money paid to credit unions; authorization 
§ 178C Sum owed estate of officer or employee of political subdivisions paid to husband, widow or next of kin 
§ 178E Group insurance; disposition of dividends 
§ 178O Group insurance termination; notice of date to employee 
§ 179 Placards posted to inform employees 
§ 179A Preference to citizens in awarding public work contracts; violations 
§ 179B Notice to commissioner of commencement or change of location of business; violations 
§ 179C Collective bargaining agreements; successor clauses 
§ 180 Violation of chapter provisions with no specific penalty 
§ 180A Violation of closing laws 
§ 181 Retirement or health and welfare funds; failure of employer to make payments 
§ 182 Standards of corporate behavior; companies financed with assistance of quasi-public agencies 
§ 183 Severance pay upon termination following transfer of control of employer; definitions 
§ 184 Severance pay following transfer of control or attempted transfer of control of registered corporation; definitions 
§ 185 Retaliation against employees reporting violations of law or risks to public health, safety or environment; remedies 
§ 186 Broadcasting industry; noncompete agreements 
§ 187 Health care providers; protection from retaliatory action by health care facilities 
§ 189 Employer medical assistance contribution 
§ 190 Rights relating to pay and other terms or conditions of employment for domestic workers 
§ 191 Conduct constituting unlawful discriminatory practice against domestic workers; enforcement 
§ 192 Definitions applicable to Secs. 193 to 203 relating to professional employer agreements 
§ 193 Effect of professional employer agreements on collective bargaining or rights of employees under any applicable state or federal law 
§ 194 Licensing, registration or certification requirements under professional employer agreements 
§ 195 Tax credits and other economic incentives; covered employees deemed as client’s employees under professional employer agreements; status as small, minority-owned, disadvantaged, woman-owned business or other underutilized class of enterprise 
§ 196 Registration required for professional employer services; information provided with application; interim operating permit; renewal; reporting and financial requirements; combined or consolidated financial statements; forms, filings and fees 
§ 197 Rights and responsibilities under professional employer agreement; notice; termination 
§ 198 Professional employer agreements; taxes, assessments or mandated expenditures on per capita or per employee basis, or upon total payroll basis 
§ 199 Workers’ compensation for covered employees under professional employer agreements 
§ 200 Unemployment insurance for employees covered by professional employer agreement 
§ 201 Employee count under professional employer agreements 
§ 202 Prohibited acts relating to professional employer services; disciplinary actions; complaints; hearing; sanctions 
§ 203 Failure of professional employer organization to pay wages in accordance with chapters 148 and 151 

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