Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function should only be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance. Workers necessary for the manufacturing of metals (including steel and aluminum), industrial minerals, semiconductors, materials and products needed for medical supply chains, and for supply chains associated with transportation, energy, communications, information technology, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, wood products, commodities used as fuel for power generation facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, processing and reprocessing of solid waste, emergency services, and the defense industrial base. Workers providing disinfection services, for all essential facilities and modes of transportation, and supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. It also provides $200 million in tax relief for small business owners. Relative to promoting comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. Theres $400 million for mental and behavioral health programs and $600 million for investments in affordable, accessible and supportive housing. Workers supporting the construction of housing, including those supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting and plan review services that can be modified to protect the public health, including allowing qualified private third-party inspections accountable to government agencies). Supporting new and existing construction projects, including, but not limited to, pipeline construction. Environment and Natural Resources. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Maritime transportation workers, including dredgers, port workers, mariners, ship crewmembers, ship pilots and tug boat operators, equipment operators (to include maintenance and repair, and maritime-specific medical providers), ship supply, chandler, and repair companies. HD5038/SD 2921- An Act to provide liability protections for contractors, sub-contractors and unions during the COVID-19 Pandemic: would indemnify contractors and unions for not completing their work because of abnormally dangerous working conditions, Click here to find contact information for your elected representatives to demand they support the above bills. It is possible that the payments may come in the form of a one-time refundable tax credit, the legislation adds. 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. Workers who are needed to provide business, commercial, and consumer access to bank and non-bank financial services and lending services, including ATMs, lending and money transmission, and to move currency, checks, securities, and payments (e.g., armored cash carriers). Did you qualify to receive the $500 essential worker payment? All employees of the state, its political subdivisions, and its public colleges and universities, a bonus of three years added to age or years of service or a combination thereof for the purpose of calculating a retirement benefit, if, at any point between March 10, 2020 and December 21, 2020, they had volunteered to work or who [had] been required to work at their respective worksites or any other worksite outside of their personal residence.. Use this button to show and access all levels. 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. Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers and maintenance personnel, ramp workers, aviation and aerospace safety, security, and operations personnel and accident investigations. For legislation relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients. 911 call center employees (including telecommunicators, dispatchers and managers) and Public Safety Answering Points and other police communication facilities who cant perform their duties remotely. 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. 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. For legislation to establish the Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act. Farmers, farm workers, support service workers, and their supplier employees to include those engaged in producing and harvesting field crops; commodity inspection; fuel ethanol facilities; biodiesel and renewable diesel facilities; storage facilities; and other agricultural inputs. The spending package, if signed into law, would use some For legislation relative to pesticides. In subsequent reporting, government watchdog group The Pioneer Institute voiced its opposition. Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services. Essential support personnel for electricity operations. Residents slated to receive checks will have earned at least $12,750 in employment compensation in 2020, with their total household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level in 2020. For legislation to save recycling costs in the commonwealth. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. "The panel shall also consider factors including, but not limited to, an essential worker's increased financial burden and increased risk of exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, due to the nature of their work and any bonuses or hazard pay a worker has already received for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount thereof.". Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Workers in animal diagnostic and food testing laboratories in private industries and in institutions of higher education. Please enter valid email address to continue. Workers supporting the energy sector, regardless of the energy source (including but not limited to nuclear, fossil, hydroelectric, or renewable), segment of the system, or infrastructure the worker is involved in, or who are needed to monitor, operate, engineer, and maintain the reliability, safety, environmental health, and physical and cyber security of the energy system. In Joint Session, January 5, 2023 -- Communication from Her Excellency the Governor, Maura T. Healey, submitting her inaugural address. 126 out of 160 Massachusetts state representatives have done the same. Workers who maintain digital systems infrastructure supporting hazardous materials management operations. Workers who staff natural gas, propane, natural gas liquids, and other liquid fuel security operations centers, operations dispatch and control rooms/centers, and emergency response and customer emergencies (including leak calls) operations. Warehouse operators, including vendors and support personnel critical for business continuity (including HVAC & electrical engineers; security personnel; and janitorial staff) and customer service for essential functions. / CBS Boston. Environment and Natural Resources. Environment and Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Local and state inspectors and administrative support of inspection services who are responsible for the inspection of elevators, escalators, lifts, buildings, plumbing and gas fitting, electrical work, and other safety related professional work. Baker's administration and an advisory panel would determine who exactly qualifies as an "essential worker." Operational staff at wastewater collection facilities. WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller notedthat the House and Senate bills have plenty of "lard" local spending unrelated to the stated goals of the ARPA and many of those projects made it into the compromise agreement. Will those sponsors be willing to vote down the measure? H.3900. IT and OT technology for essential energy sector operations including support workers, customer service operations; energy management systems, control systems, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition SCADA systems, and energy sector entity data centers; cybersecurity engineers; and cybersecurity risk management. Propane gas storage, transmission, and distribution centers. Relative to preserving preventative services without cost sharing. WebWorkers supporting essential maintenance, manufacturing, design, operation, inspection, security, and construction for essential products, services, and supply chain and Scientific researchers in higher education completing in-process research to ensure health and safety and to prevent the loss of essential data, Workers who support the design, production and distribution of educational materials or technologies for the use of educators or students in distance learning during the state of emergency. Workers in hardware and building materials stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant wholesalers and distributors - with reduced staff to ensure continued operations. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Environment and Natural Resources. Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, farmers markets and farm stands, nurseries, greenhouses, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores, and other retail (including unattended and vending) that sells human food, animal/pet food and pet supply, and beverage products (including liquor stores), including retail customer support service and information technology support staff necessary for online orders, pickup and delivery. 06 May, 2020. Workers who manage hazardous materials associated with any other essential activity, including but not limited to healthcare waste (medical, pharmaceuticals, medical material production), testing operations (laboratories processing test kits), and energy (nuclear facilities) Workers at nuclear facilities, workers managing medical waste, workers managing waste from pharmaceuticals and medical material production, and workers at laboratories processing tests Workers who support hazardous materials response and cleanup. Workers who maintain, ensure, or restore, or are involved in the reliable development, transportation, fuel procurement, expansion, or operation of the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, including call centers, utility workers, engineers, retail electricity, constraint maintenance, and fleet maintenance technicians- who cannot perform their duties remotely. Workers providing electronic point of sale support personnel for essential businesses and workers. Bonuses would be issued no later than March 31, 2022, according to the plan. 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. Farmers, farm workers, and agribusiness support services to include those employed in auction and sales: grain and oilseed handling, processing and distribution; animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically and for export. Operational staff and technical support for SCADA Control systems. Public agency workers responding to abuse and neglect of children, elders, and dependent adults. "Massachusetts was already behind most of the country in utilizing these funds before the latest setback, and further delay will only continue to leave residents, small businesses and hundreds of organizations frozen out from the support the rest of the country is now tapping into to recover from this brutal pandemic. 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. 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. "We'll take a good look at it over the next several days.". 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. Instrumentation, protection, and control technicians. Natural gas processing plants workers, and those that deal with natural gas liquids. Workers supporting production and distribution of debit and credit cards. The text of the bill, H. 2808/S. Charlie Baker, who made his own proposal to spend $2.8 billion of the funds on housing, economic development and workforce training, criticized the delay through a spokesman. 1669, is brief. 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. Please let us know how we can improve this page. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) Federal Funds Office (FFO) is responsible for maximizing federal revenue and minimizing compliance risks associated with federal grants in the Commonwealth. Hospital and laboratory personnel (including accounting, administrative, admitting and discharge, engineering, epidemiological, source plasma and blood donation, food service, housekeeping, medical records, information technology and operational technology, nutritionists, sanitarians, respiratory therapists, etc.). Environment and Natural Resources. Workers performing housing construction related activities, including construction of mixed-use projects that include housing, to ensure additional units can be made available to combat the Commonwealths existing housing supply shortage. The order was extended on March 31, April 28, and May 15. A lock icon ( 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. Health Care Financing. Critical government workers, as defined by the employer and consistent with Continuity of, Workers that provide services for or determine eligibility for public benefits such as subsidized health care, food and feeding programs, residential and congregate care programs, shelter, in-home supportive services, child welfare, juvenile justice programs, adult protective services and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals (including family members), Professional services (such as legal, accounting and tax preparation) and payroll and employee benefit services when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities and critical sector services or where failure to provide such services during the time of the order would result in significant prejudice, Commercial retail stores that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers, Workers and instructors supporting academies or training facilities and courses or assessments for the purpose of graduating or certifying, during the duration of the state of emergency, healthcare personnel, cadets, and other workers who are critical to the ongoing response to COVID-19. Workers who support necessary credentialing, vetting and licensing operations for critical infrastructure workers including holders of Commercial Drivers Licenses. Operational staff at community water systems. December 3, 2021 / 4:31 PM Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary for agricultural production and distribution. And left out of Zlotniks proposal is a recognition that the states main retirement fund is 64% funded, and the teachers fund, 52%, as of 2019. Relative to ensuring transparent ticket pricing. Workers who conduct community-based public health functions, conducting epidemiologic surveillance, compiling, analyzing and communicating public health information, who cannot practically work remotely. Bill S.1195 192nd (2021 - 2022) An Act providing hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a "State of Emergency" declaration By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. Published: Mar. During a hearing on July 21, sponsor Rep. Jonathan Zlotnick explained his purpose in bringing the bill forward: This was the time when these essential services were most important, the people being asked to perform them were most at risk coming into contact with members of the public and with co-workers. You may opt-out by. We will use this information to improve this page. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Employees of firms providing services, supplies, and equipment that enable warehouse and operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use. Workers necessary for the installation, maintenance, distribution, and manufacturing of water and space heating equipment and its components. The bill allows for bonuses for essential workers, up to $2,000 each. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is not even clear whether he would have pursued any cost analysis, had he not been called out on this. Gov. Maintenance of communications infrastructure- including privately owned and maintained communication systems- supported by technicians, operators, call -centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, Internet Exchange Points, Points of Presence, Network Access Points, back haul and front haul facilities, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment. First published on November 11, 2021 / 10:09 AM. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Workers needed for safe and secure operations at nuclear generation to include but not limited to, the broader nuclear supply chain, parts to maintain nuclear equipment, fuel manufacturers and fuel components used in the manufacturing of fuel. Environment and Natural Resources. Workers providing electronic security, fire, monitoring and life safety services, and to ensure physical security, cleanliness and safety of facilities and personnel, including temporary licensing waivers for security personnel to work in other States or Municipalities. Email [email protected]. Please visit mass.gov/reopening for full details on the reopening plan. Charlie Bakersaid in late October that he's generally supportive of the bonuses, saying that "this is something that is the right thing to do." Retail customer service personnel at critical service center locations for onboarding customers, distributing and repairing equipment and addressing customer issues in order to support individuals remote emergency communications needs, supply chain and logistics personnel to ensure goods and products are on-boarded to provision these front-line employees. Workers who support storm clean-up operations (e.g., foresters). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Automotive repair, maintenance, and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities (including those who repair and maintain electric vehicle charging stations). Workers supporting the operation and maintenance of facilities (particularly those with high risk chemicals and/ or sites that cannot be shut down) whose work cannot be done remotely and requires the presence of highly trained personnel to ensure safe operations, including plant contract workers who provide inspections. FFOs role in compliance for federal funds, including compliance resources for municipalities and state agencies. 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. Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employeesto include those employed in food ingredient production and processing facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging. 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). Income is also a major eligibility factor for the $500 payments. BOSTON (CBS) -- The Massachusetts Senate on Friday followed the lead of the House and unanimously passed a $4 billion spending bill that includes half a billion dollars for essential worker bonuses. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity. The panel would offer its recommendations on eligibility no later than Feb. 1, 2022. Title; H.3900 : An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2024 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities Workers supporting the manufacturing of safety equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety personnel, and first responders. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Employees needed to operate and maintain public and private drinking water and wastewater/drainage infrastructure, including: If the function of your business is not listed above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request designation as an essential business. Health Care Financing. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. "The panel shall also consider factors including, but not limited to, an essential worker's increased financial burden and increased risk of exposure to COVID-19, due to the nature of their work and any bonuses or hazard pay a worker has already received for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount thereof," the legislation states. For legislation to establish medicare for all in Massachusetts. This is a BETA experience. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Workers who are critical to facilitating trade in support of the national, state and local emergency response supply chain. Learn more about businesses and organizations that were designated as providing COVID-19 Essential Services before the launch of the Commonwealth's reopening plan. Massachusetts essential workers will soon receive $500 payments from the commonwealth. If you do not receive a check, you may be eligible for a future round of premium payments, according to the Baker administration. Workers to ensure continuity of building functions, including but not limited to security and environmental controls (e.g., HVAC), the manufacturing and distribution of the products required for these functions, and the permits and inspections for construction supporting essential infrastructure. The household income of those essential workers must not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level. According to the text of the bill, eligible workers would receive payments on or before January 31, 2022. However, unemployment compensation in 2019 or 2021 does not affect eligibility for a round 1 check, so long as you are otherwise eligible based on residency and income, according to the Baker administration. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. 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 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. Workers who manage health plans, billing, and health information, who cannot practically work remotely. BOSTON (CBS) -- Massachusetts is one step closer to giving bonuses of up to $2,000 to essential employees who showed up to work in-person during the COVID pandemic. Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including truck drivers, bus drivers, dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) employees, towing/recovery services, roadside assistance workers, intermodal transportation personnel, and workers who maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-jurisdiction travel). _____ PETITION OF: Workers who are needed to maintain orderly market operations to ensure the continuity of financial transactions and services. Workers who support infrastructure, such as by road and line clearing and utility relocation, to ensure the availability of and access to needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications. You skipped the table of contents section. As always, youre invited to comment at JaneTheActuary.com! Any questions can be directed to [email protected]. For legislation to promote transparency and prevent price gouging of pharmaceutical drug prices. Education. Customer service and support staff, including managed and professional services as well as remote providers of support to transitioning employees to set up and maintain home offices, who interface with customers to manage or support service environments and security issues, including payroll, billing, fraud, logistics, and troubleshooting. But, again, 79% of Massachusetts state representatives are on board with their support without taking any interest in the cost of the proposal, and even Zlotnik himself is not troubled by having brought forward a bill with such serious deficiencies. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. It is possible that neither spouse, or only one spouse, or both spouses would be eligible for a payment.. Pharmacy employees necessary to maintain uninterrupted prescription filling. Organizations and workers responsible for the care and custody of animals, pets and livestock. The unprecedented challenges we are experiencing have laid bare how intertwined public health and the This legislation will: Set up the Essential Employee Premium Pay Program to provide direct financial support to essential workers in Massachusetts. Eligible employees may include health care, long-term care and home care workers, childcare workers, educators and education staff, farm workers, grocery store workers, food production facility workers, social workers, transportation workers, utility workers and technicians and foster parents. Massachusetts Gov. Includes cold- and frozen-chain logistics for food and critical biologic products. 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. The spending package, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is now headed to Gov. That the town of Arlington be authorized to prohibit use of second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides by commercial pesticide applicators in said town. Mutual assistance personnel which may include workers from outside of the state or local jurisdiction. Governor Charlie Bakers order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide COVID-19 Essential Services was originally issued on March 23, 2020.
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