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Mass. General Laws c.149

Labor and industries

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of of G.L. c. 149. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed.

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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. 392, § 144, effective January 9, 2025

§ 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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