HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4341        FILED ON: 11/7/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4058

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Diana DiZoglio and Michelle M. DuBois

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to improve contract provisions waiving certain rights.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Diana DiZoglio

14th Essex

11/7/2017

Michelle M. DuBois

10th Plymouth

11/15/2017

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

11/15/2017

Russell E. Holmes

6th Suffolk

11/14/2017

Peter V. Kocot

1st Hampshire

11/14/2017

David Paul Linsky

5th Middlesex

11/14/2017

Juana B. Matias

16th Essex

11/15/2017

Frank A. Moran

17th Essex

11/15/2017

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol

11/14/2017

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

11/15/2017

Brian M. Ashe

2nd Hampden

11/15/2017

Cory Atkins

14th Middlesex

11/15/2017

Tackey Chan

2nd Norfolk

11/15/2017

Mike Connolly

26th Middlesex

11/15/2017

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

11/15/2017

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

3rd Berkshire

11/16/2017

Dylan Fernandes

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket

11/15/2017

Carmine L. Gentile

13th Middlesex

11/15/2017

Jonathan Hecht

29th Middlesex

11/16/2017

Natalie Higgins

4th Worcester

11/20/2017

Adam G. Hinds

Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden

11/15/2017

Paul W. Mark

2nd Berkshire

11/16/2017

James R. Miceli

19th Middlesex

11/16/2017

Rady Mom

18th Middlesex

11/16/2017

Denise Provost

27th Middlesex

11/16/2017

Alan Silvia

7th Bristol

11/15/2017

Aaron Vega

5th Hampden

11/15/2017

David T. Vieira

3rd Barnstable

11/16/2017

Bud Williams

11th Hampden

11/15/2017


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4341        FILED ON: 11/7/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4058

By Representatives DiZoglio of Methuen and DuBois of Brockton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Diana DiZoglio, Michelle M. Dubois and others relative to the provisions of certain rights within employment contracts.  Labor and Workforce Development.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act to improve contract provisions waiving certain rights.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 149 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 192. (a) A provision in any contract waiving any  substantive  or  procedural  right  or  remedy relating to a claim of discrimination, non-payment of wages or benefits, retaliation,  harassment  or  violation  of  public policy in employment shall be deemed unconscionable, void and unenforceable, with respect  to any  such  claim  arising  after  the waiver is made. No right or remedy arising  under  this  section,  this  chapter,  common  law,  any  other provision of law or rule of procedure or the constitution shall be prospectively  waived.  This section shall not render void or unenforceable the remainder of the contract or agreement.  The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the terms of any collective bargaining agreement between an employer and the bona fide collective bargaining representative of that employer's employees.

(b) Whoever enforces or attempts to enforce a waiver deemed unconscionable, void or unenforceable under this section shall be liable for reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

(c) No person or employer shall take any retaliatory action, including, but not limited to, failure to hire, discharge,  suspension,  demotion, discrimination  in the terms, conditions or privileges of employment, or other adverse action, against a person,  because  the  person  does  not enter into an agreement or contract that contains a waiver deemed unconscionable, void or unenforceable under this section.

(d) A person aggrieved of a violation of this section may, within three years after the violation, institute and prosecute in such person's own name and on such person's own behalf a civil action for torts remedies, injunctive relief, and the costs of litigation and reasonable attorney's fees. The rights and remedies contained in this section shall not be exclusive and shall not preempt other procedures and remedies available under other applicable laws.

Section 193. This act shall take effect upon its passage and shall apply to all contracts entered into, renewed, modified or amended on or after such date.