State Senator John Keenan told the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development that his bill (Senate Bill 1344) would require private developers to post a certificate of compliance on qualifying projects demonstrating that employers on the worksite meet Massachusetts contribution and benefits standards.

Keenan said Senate Bill 1344 would apply to private residential developments with more than 10 units and to retail, commercial or industrial developments larger than 5,000 square feet when either component is valued in excess of $750,000. The certificate would verify compliance with standards administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance relating to contributions and payments in lieu of contributions, employee medical-assistance contributions, and workers' compensation requirements.

Keenan said the measure was straightforward and intended to protect workers on sites where developers might seek to cut labor costs amid rising materials prices. "We just want to make sure that if they are looking to cut cost, they're not doing it on the backs of providing the benefits that should be provided and the protections that should be provided to the employees working on that site," Keenan said. He noted the bill had been reported favorably by the committee previously and urged another favorable report.

No committee action or vote occurred during the hearing.