Bill > H4208

This bill proposes to modify three sections of Massachusetts labor law (specifically chapters 149 and 151) to add a provision that allows employers who successfully defend themselves in wage-related legal actions to be awarded litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Currently, these laws governing wage disputes and employment standards only outline procedures for employees seeking damages, but this bill would create a reciprocal right for employers who are found not to have violated wage regulations. By adding identical language to three different sections of law, the bill ensures that if an employer is found not liable in wage-related legal proceedings, they can recover their legal expenses. This change could potentially discourage frivolous wage claims by introducing a financial risk for employees who pursue unsubstantiated litigation, while also providing employers with a mechanism to recoup legal costs when they are successfully vindicated in wage dispute cases.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4208