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Sen. Cindy F. Friedman files bill to change unemployment calculation for workers with fluctuating schedules
Summary
Sen. Cindy F. Friedman filed legislation Jan. 13, 2025, that would amend Massachusetts’ unemployment insurance law to change how wages are counted for benefit eligibility for workers with fluctuating work schedules.
Sen. Cindy F. Friedman filed legislation Jan. 13, 2025, that would amend Massachusetts’ unemployment insurance law to change how wages are counted for benefit eligibility for workers with fluctuating work schedules. The bill, Senate No. 1334, would alter Section 1 of Chapter 151A of the General Laws by replacing the existing language referring to wages “reported for the highest quarter” and adding a provision that if deeming renders an individual ineligible for unemployment benefits, the benefit amount ‘‘shall be 1/26 of the total wages reported in the 2 quarters.’’
The bill was submitted to the Senate and referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, according to the filing. The filing text cites the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025–2026) and notes similar matter filed in the 2023–2024 session as Senate No. 1183. The chamber docket lists the filing as Senate Docket No. 453.
The proposed change would affect how the Department of Unemployment Assistance determines weekly benefit amounts for claimants whose work schedules and wages vary between quarters. The filing itself does not include implementation details, administrative guidance, or an effective-date provision; those would be set if the Legislature adopts the bill and if any implementing regulations are later issued. The filing also does not state expected budgetary impacts or estimate how many workers would be affected.
No committee votes, Senate floor votes, amendments, or enactment are recorded in the filing. At the time of filing, the only formal action recorded in the public docket is the submission of the bill and its referral to the Labor and Workforce Development committee. Any formal change to law would require committee consideration, possible amendments, passage by both legislative chambers and the governor’s signature.
Senate filings identify the sponsor and the text proposed for codification; they do not by themselves change benefit rules. The bill references the 2022 Official Edition of the General Laws as the version being amended.
For readers tracking the proposal: the sponsor is Sen. Cindy F. Friedman of the Fourth Middlesex District; the bill is Senate No. 1334 (Senate Docket No. 453), filed Jan. 13, 2025, and referred to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Similar prior legislation was filed as Senate No. 1183 in the 2023–2024 session.
