Massachusetts laws changing in 2022 could affect your wallet - WCVB Boston

BOSTON —

With the start of 2022, many Massachusetts residents will see a personal financial impact from the implementation of new laws.

Changes due to take effect in the new year include a minimum wage increase, bigger benefits for those covered by the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave law and changes to animal welfare regulations.

Minimum wage

The Massachusetts minimum wage will increase from $13.50 to $14.25 per hour beginning on Jan. 1.

Tipped employees are also getting a raise, and must be paid a minimum of $6.15 per hour provided that their tips bring them up to at least $13.50 per hour.

The increase is part of a law that was passed in June 2018 that set the minimum wage to increase each year until it reaches $15 in 2023.

PFML benefits

The maximum weekly Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit is increasing in the new year from $850 to $1,084.31. Meanwhile, employer contribution rates will be reduced.

Also starting in 2022, the law covers most workers who have earned at least $5,700 over the past four calendar quarters. Recipients must have earned at least 30 times the benefit amount.

Animal welfare

Earlier this month Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law modifying provisions of an animal welfare measure approved by voters in 2016.

The updated law reduced the amount of enclosure space required for hens after industry experts warned the original requirement would lead to an egg shortage in grocery stores. Farms will be required to allocate one square foot per hen in multi-tiered aviary systems that give the birds "unfettered access to vertical space."

The modified law delayed until mid-summer the start of a ban on pork products from pigs confined in any enclosure that prevents "lying down, standing up, fully extending the animal's limbs, or turning around freely."

It is not yet known how these changes could impact grocery prices.

source: https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-laws-changing-in-2022-pfml-minimum-wage-animal-wellfare/38640645

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