MA H2156

Essential workers at private-sector businesses with 11+ employees must receive hazard pay of at least 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked during a public health emergency that includes stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders

Workers may refuse to perform essential services if they reasonably believe work threatens their health/safety, have elevated health risks, live with someone at elevated risk, or must care for children when schools/daycare are unavailable

Employers cannot discriminate against, dismiss, discharge, reduce hours, or penalize workers who refuse to work under the protected conditions, though employers are not required to pay during refusal periods

Essential employers must provide personal protective equipment at no cost to workers, based on recommendations from CDC, OSHA, or state health agencies

Commonwealth employees, political subdivision employees, and executives/administrators exempt from federal overtime rules are excluded from the hazard pay requirement