An Act relative to treble damages

This bill (S 1264) amends Massachusetts labor laws to strengthen employee remedies for violations of specific workplace protections. It allows employees who believe their rights under certain labor laws (like wage laws or anti-discrimination rules) were violated to file their own lawsuits after a 90-day waiting period (or sooner with the Attorney General's consent), within three years of the violation. If an employee wins a lawsuit and the violation was "willful," they can receive triple damages for lost wages and benefits, plus attorney fees. Non-willful violations result in standard court-determined damages. The bill directly affects employees facing workplace rights violations and employers subject to these labor laws.