The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is taking a major step forward to better serve employees and employers through the modernization of the unemployment insurance system. This modernization is called the Employment Modernization Transformation (EMT), and it will be deployed in two phases, with Phase 1 scheduled for September 12, 2023.
 
As part of Phase 1 of the modernization, Employers, Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), and Agents will gain access to a new portal featuring new and existing employer-related activities.
 
Please see the following links that will be helpful as you move forward: 
 
Unemployment Insurance Modernization | Mass.gov
Prepare for the Modernization Transition | Mass.gov
Unemployment Insurance Modernization for Employers | Mass.gov
Unemployment Insurance Modernization for Third-Party Administrators | Mass.gov
How-to Videos for Unemployment Insurance Modernization | Mass.gov
FAQs for Unemployment Insurance Modernization | Mass.gov
 

Update FAQ’s Released on New MA Pork Regulations

 
The MA Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has released an updated set of FAQ’s related to the implementation of the MA Pork Regulations (330 CMR 35.00), which are now in effect.     
 
The regulations implement the law as passed by Question 3 from 2016, Relative to the Housing of Farm Animals.  The regulations implement farm animal housing standards for swine, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens that produce certain pork, veal, egg, and egg products for sale. The regulation describes the process by which farms, food processors, distributors, retailers, and restaurants can be compliant with these standards. 
 
Question 3 banned the sale of eggs, veal and pork products produced by cage-confined farm animals.  The egg and veal portions of the law and regulations took effect last year, while the treatment of pork remained in dispute and tied up in the courts, until earlier this month.  The treatment of pork products “transshipped” through MA and on the way for final sale in other states, remains unresolved.  Enforcement of restrictions on "transshipped" pork meat will not begin for at least six months, while MDAR considers additional regulatory changes.  MA retailers and restaurants may no longer sell any whole pork meat derived from animals that were housed in a non-compliant manner.  Food products considered “combination products," where pork is just one ingredient, such as hot dogs, are not included.
 

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