WBUR had a great story on the Independent Contractor law today (6/29/2010). Here's a link to the story, which you can either read or listen to:
http://www.wbur.org/2010/06/30/independent-contractor-law
You can also make a comment on the story if you wish to do so. There was an error when it said that Senator McGee's amendement didn't make it out of committee. It did, and it is now HB4748 as noted in a previous post.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STORY ON WGBH
In case you missed it, take a look at the Independent Contractor Story here that aired on WGBH on June 21. Great job by WGBH!
UPDATE ON MA INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEGISLATION
House Bill 1844, the bill we have been following to change the MA Independent Contractor Law, came out of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development with a positive reading.
The bill, now known as House Bill 4748, has new wording that is exactly the same as Senator McGee’s Amendment 260 to the budget (see the text of the bill here or refer to our post on June 7). The bill was presented by Rep. Coakley-Rivera (the co-chair of the Labor and Workforce Committee). This bill is now with a new committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means.
There are several issues to keep in mind regarding this new legislation:
1) The Legislature is busy, with the budget and the casino bill, so it is unclear whether this bill will get any attention before the end of the current session (July 30th). We will keep you posted on what we hear. We urge you to keep calling your representatives to make sure they know this issue is a priority.
2) The wording in the new legislation will work for some freelancers, but it will certainly not work for all. We were told that the new language is only a beginning and that the bill can still be amended. Our goal is to continue to talk with the representatives on the House Committee on Way and Means to figure out if we can further revise the current language and if so how.
Let us know your feelings on the new language by leaving a comment.
More to come . . .
The bill, now known as House Bill 4748, has new wording that is exactly the same as Senator McGee’s Amendment 260 to the budget (see the text of the bill here or refer to our post on June 7). The bill was presented by Rep. Coakley-Rivera (the co-chair of the Labor and Workforce Committee). This bill is now with a new committee, the House Committee on Ways and Means.
There are several issues to keep in mind regarding this new legislation:
1) The Legislature is busy, with the budget and the casino bill, so it is unclear whether this bill will get any attention before the end of the current session (July 30th). We will keep you posted on what we hear. We urge you to keep calling your representatives to make sure they know this issue is a priority.
2) The wording in the new legislation will work for some freelancers, but it will certainly not work for all. We were told that the new language is only a beginning and that the bill can still be amended. Our goal is to continue to talk with the representatives on the House Committee on Way and Means to figure out if we can further revise the current language and if so how.
Let us know your feelings on the new language by leaving a comment.
More to come . . .
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Independent Contractor Law story to be on Channel 2
Watch WGBH, Channel 2 on Monday June 21 at 7 PM to see their story on the Independent Contractor Issue. Hopefully it will move our cause forward.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
HAVE YOU BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE CURRENT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEGISLATION?
Toni Waterman, a Producer from WGBH, is working on a story about the current Independent Contractor Law. She would like to speak to anyone who has been directly impacted by this law. You can contact Toni by calling her at 617-300-2471 or by emailing her at toni_waterman@wgbh.org. Keep in mind how much the Globe article really helped our cause, and note that this is another avenue for a just solution.
Toni Waterman, a Producer from WGBH, is working on a story about the current Independent Contractor Law. She would like to speak to anyone who has been directly impacted by this law. You can contact Toni by calling her at 617-300-2471 or by emailing her at toni_waterman@wgbh.org. Keep in mind how much the Globe article really helped our cause, and note that this is another avenue for a just solution.
Monday, June 7, 2010
STATUS OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEGISLATION
Another piece of legislation has been filed with the clerk regarding independent contractors. It will replace HB1844, which did come out with a favorable reading. The language of this bill is below. It is the same language as Amendment 260 that was attached to the Senate Budget and was then withdrawn. The bill will get a new Bill Number and will then go to the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee or the House Ways and Means Committee. As soon as we know which committee it will go to, we will let you know, so you can start contacting the members, as well as your own Senators and Representatives. This legislation has been kept alive due to the calls and letters the legislators have been getting, so keep up the good work. It is not the time to let go of this issue. The hope is that it will be voted on in this legislative session.
Please note that the language of the bill will not work for everyone. I was told that this is only the beginning and that the bill can still be amended by the committee that will take it over.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the Year Two Thousand and Ten
An Act relative to independent contractors.
SECTION 1. Chapter 149 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 147H the following section:-
Section 147I. (a) An individual whose work is performed solely in the individual’s place of residence shall be exempt from the requirements of section 148B(a)(2), but not sections 148B (a)(1) and 148B (a)(3), of chapter 149. This section does not apply to individuals who work with or for the individual.
Another piece of legislation has been filed with the clerk regarding independent contractors. It will replace HB1844, which did come out with a favorable reading. The language of this bill is below. It is the same language as Amendment 260 that was attached to the Senate Budget and was then withdrawn. The bill will get a new Bill Number and will then go to the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee or the House Ways and Means Committee. As soon as we know which committee it will go to, we will let you know, so you can start contacting the members, as well as your own Senators and Representatives. This legislation has been kept alive due to the calls and letters the legislators have been getting, so keep up the good work. It is not the time to let go of this issue. The hope is that it will be voted on in this legislative session.
Please note that the language of the bill will not work for everyone. I was told that this is only the beginning and that the bill can still be amended by the committee that will take it over.
Language of new bill follows:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the Year Two Thousand and Ten
_______________
An Act relative to independent contractors.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 149 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 147H the following section:-
Section 147I. (a) An individual whose work is performed solely in the individual’s place of residence shall be exempt from the requirements of section 148B(a)(2), but not sections 148B (a)(1) and 148B (a)(3), of chapter 149. This section does not apply to individuals who work with or for the individual.
(b) The exception provided in paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to an individual who has been coerced, threatened or intimidated into establishing an independent business nor shall it apply to individuals who telecommute or work remotely from home.
(c) Each individual seeking this exemption shall register with the Secretary of State and shall be issued without a fee. The registration shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: name of the individual seeking the exemption, the nature of the independently established business, the address of the residence at which the work is performed and proof that the address listed is the applicant's legal residence. The Secretary of State shall issue regulations necessary to ensure registration under this section. The document shall be typewritten, printed or in such other form as the Secretary of State shall prescribe. The document shall be executed by the individual seeking the exemption. The registration shall be renewed every 3 years.
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