H 1920 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act relative to employee references

This bill grants employers in Massachusetts immunity from lawsuits when they share specific details about a current or former employee with a new potential employer. Under the new rules, companies can disclose the employee's work dates, salary, job duties, and wage history without fear of legal repercussions. Additionally, if an employer responds in writing to a formal request from a prospective employer, they are protected from liability when sharing past written evaluations or the reasons for the employee's departure. The law applies only to legal claims that arise after the bill takes effect, ensuring that employers can provide standard reference information without facing civil lawsuits.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 15, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Joe McKenna
Joe McKenna
RRepublican
MA
18th Worcester