The bill proposes the addition of a new chapter, Chapter 99, titled "HAZARD PAY AND PROTECTION FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS," to Title 23 of the General Laws, which pertains to health and safety. This chapter defines essential businesses, services, and workers, and mandates that during a public health state of emergency declared by the governor, essential workers must receive hazard pay at a rate not less than one and one-half times their regular pay for hours worked. The bill specifies that this requirement does not apply to state employees, political subdivisions, or certain exempt professionals under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Furthermore, the bill outlines conditions under which essential workers are not required to perform their duties, such as when their health or safety is at serious risk, they have a health condition that elevates their risk, they live with someone at elevated risk, or they need to care for children when schools and daycare are unavailable due to the emergency. It also states that refusal to work under these conditions should not result in discrimination or penalties, although it does not require employers to pay during such refusals. The bill also mandates that essential employers provide personal protective equipment to their workers at no cost, as recommended by relevant health and safety authorities. The bill would be enforced by the office of the attorney general and would take effect upon passage.