H 2081
An Act relative to minimum gratuity while dining
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill proposes to require restaurants and other dining establishments to automatically add a minimum gratuity to customer bills when service is provided by tipped workers. The intention is to ensure that tipped employees receive a fair share of their income. The bill outlines the specific amount of the gratuity and how it should be distributed between the employer and the employee. It also addresses how the gratuity would apply to certain situations, such as takeout orders.
Key provisions
- Requires restaurants to automatically add a minimum gratuity to customer bills.
- Specifies the minimum gratuity amount (currently 20%).
- Outlines how the gratuity should be distributed between the employer and employee.
- Addresses gratuity for takeout orders.
- Establishes a process for enforcement of the law.
- Defines ‘dining establishment’ for the purposes of the bill.
- Clarifies that the gratuity applies to all customers, regardless of payment method.
- Specifies that the gratuity is in addition to any sales tax.
Who is affected
- Restaurants and dining establishments
- Customers of restaurants and dining establishments
- Tipped workers (e.g., servers, bartenders)
- Employers of tipped workers
- The state of Massachusetts
Notable changes
- This bill introduces a mandatory gratuity system for dining establishments.
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
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Bill H.2081 194th (Current)
An Act relative to minimum gratuity while dining
By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2081) of Manny Cruz relative to minimum gratuity while dining. Labor and Workforce Development.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Manny Cruz
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Bill History Petitioners Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 6 actions for Bill H.2081
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 11/3/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/17/2025 from 11:00 AM-02:00 PM in B-1 |
| 11/17/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 11/17/2025 from 11:00 AM-12:20 PM in B-1 and Virtual Hearing date changed |
| 11/17/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/17/2025 from 11:00 AM-12:20 PM in B-1 |
| 4/15/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5362 |
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