Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act
M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 24L
Regulatory Snapshot: Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act
Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act (M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 24L) is an enacted law in Massachusetts under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2018-08-10 and becomes effective on 2018-10-01. Massachusetts currently reports 6 tracked regulations with 6 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 48/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Massachusetts within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 24L itself.
Applicability under Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act: All MA employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Void provisions severed. Injunctive relief. Aggrieved employee may sue for declaratory relief. Notable exemptions: Non-competition via sale of business. Physician non-competes (void)..
Summary
Massachusetts limits non-competes to employees with duties-aligned scope. Maximum 1 year (1.5 years for breach). Garden leave or equivalent required.
Key Requirements
Max 1 year (1.5 for breach). Garden leave required (50% base pay for duration) or equivalent consideration. 10-day pre-employment notice. Prohibited for non-exempt, students, hourly.
Penalties
Void provisions severed. Injunctive relief. Aggrieved employee may sue for declaratory relief.
Applicability
All MA employers.
Exemptions
Non-competition via sale of business. Physician non-competes (void).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Massachusetts is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act enacted?
Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act was enacted on 2018-08-10 and became effective on 2018-10-01. It was introduced as M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 24L.
What are the penalties for violating Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act?
Void provisions severed. Injunctive relief. Aggrieved employee may sue for declaratory relief. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act apply to small businesses?
All MA employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Massachusetts compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Massachusetts has a regulatory strictness score of 48/100, based on 6 enacted regulations out of 6 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act?
The official text of Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act (M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 24L) is available from the Massachusetts legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |