Massachusetts House Bill H223

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Relative to a livable wage for human services workers

Impact

If enacted, H223 will directly affect the compensation landscape for human services workers, improving their financial conditions. It recognizes the essential services provided by these workers and aims to provide them with wages that are competitive compared to equivalent positions within state-operated programs. The gradual implementation plan, with established deadlines, gives a clear framework for agencies to follow, ensuring accountability and a timeline for achieving the goal of parity in wages.

Summary

House Bill 223 aims to establish a livable wage for human services workers in Massachusetts by addressing compensation disparities between those workers and their counterparts in state-operated programs. The bill mandates the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, along with other agencies, to progressively increase reimbursement rates to human services providers. These increases are structured to reduce the salary disparity to zero percent by July 1, 2029. The intention behind this legislation is to ensure that those who provide vital services to vulnerable populations receive fair and equitable pay.

Contention

The bill may face various points of contention, as increasing reimbursements and setting a livable wage for human services workers could raise concerns over budget allocations and potential strain on state finances. Critics may argue about the practicality of the proposed timeline for reimbursement increases and seek assurances on how these expenses will be managed within state budgets. Moreover, there may be discussions about the intended effectiveness of the bill in truly addressing the disparities in wages, as some may question whether merely adjusting reimbursement rates will lead to satisfactory changes in worker compensation.