A two-year battle over legislation in Massachusetts that would have severely restricted the use of temporary employees by certain businesses ended when the bill was referred for study last week, killing it for the session.

The bill called for fast food, retail, and hospitality employers to provide their workers with written, good faith estimates of an employee’s work schedule upon hire, and 14 days’ advance notice of any new schedule. It also would have required that such employers pay employees additional compensation if they change employee work schedules on short notice. Finally, covered businesses would have been prohibited from using any third-party workers unless they first offer additional work to their existing employees.

ASA; the Massachusetts Staffing Association, an ASA-affiliated chapter; and lobbyist Murphy Donoghue Partners met with state lawmakers and submitted testimony urging that the bill be amended to explicitly exclude staffing firm temporary workers. Referral of the bill to a study committee last week ended further consideration for the year. However, it may be reintroduced when the 2021 legislative session commences in January, at which time ASA will continue its advocacy efforts.