Bill > H1974

This bill amends Massachusetts law to provide stronger protections for individuals making communications about sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. The legislation creates a new legal provision that deems communications about such incidents as privileged (legally protected) if they are made without malice, regardless of whether a formal complaint has been filed. If a person is sued for defamation after making such a communication and successfully defends themselves, they would be entitled to recover their reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and treble damages (three times the actual damages). The bill defines "communication" broadly to include reports of sexual assault, sexual harassment, workplace harassment or discrimination, and housing-related harassment or discrimination. The law also maintains existing protections for fair and true reports of judicial, legislative, or official proceedings, while specifying that added commentary not directly related to the proceeding is not protected. This legislation aims to encourage individuals to come forward and report instances of harassment and discrimination without fear of legal retaliation through defamation lawsuits.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1974