SENATE DOCKET, NO. 700        FILED ON: 2/4/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1164

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Harriette L. Chandler

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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 relative to the defense against abusive waivers.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 700        FILED ON: 2/4/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1164

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1049 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to the defense against abusive waivers.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 149 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after Section 203, the following section:-

Section 204. (a) To the extent not preempted by federal law, a provision in a contract waiving a substantive or procedural right or remedy relating to a claim of discrimination, nonpayment of wages or benefits, retaliation, harassment or violation of public policy in employment shall be unconscionable, void and unenforceable with respect to any such claim arising after the waiver is made.  No right or remedy arising under this section, chapter, chapter 151B, common law, the constitution or a rule of procedure may be prospectively waived.  If a provision of a contract is found to be unconscionable, void or unenforceable under this section, the remaining provisions of the contract shall continue in full force and effect.

(b) Whoever enforces or attempts to enforce a waiver found to be unconscionable, void or unenforceable under this section shall be liable for reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

(c) No person or employer shall take retaliatory action including, but not limited to, failure to hire, discharge, suspend, demote or discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of employment, or any other adverse action, against a person because the person refuses to enter into a contract that contains a waiver that would be unconscionable, void or unenforceable under this section.

A person aggrieved by a violation of this section may, within 3 years after the violation, commence a civil action in such person’s own name and on such person’s own behalf for damages and injunctive relief.  If the court finds that a person was aggrieved by a violation of this section, the person shall recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.  The rights and remedies in this section shall not be exclusive and shall not preempt other available procedures and remedies for retaliatory actions including, but not limited to, those contained in section 150 and section 4 of chapter 151B.

(d) The attorney general may enforce this section if the substantive or procedural right or remedy at issue arises under section 150.

(e) The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination may enforce this section if the substantive or procedural right or remedy at issue arises under chapter 151B.

(f) A person aggrieved by a violation of chapter 151B who seeks a remedy other than: (i) nonenforcement of a provision prohibited by this section; or (ii) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs for enforcement of any provision of this section, shall seek such remedy under said chapter 151B.

(g) Nothing in this section shall expand or limit the use of collective bargaining agreements.

SECTION 2. Section 204 of chapter 149 of the General Laws shall apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this act.