Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History)
H 1603
Regulatory Snapshot: Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History)
Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History) (H 1603) is an enacted law in Massachusetts under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2016-08-01 and becomes effective on 2018-07-01. 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 H 1603 itself.
Applicability under Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History): All Massachusetts employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: AG enforcement. Civil action for up to 3 years back pay + interest + attorney fees. Notable exemptions: Voluntary disclosure. Rehire (limited)..
Summary
Massachusetts prohibits salary history inquiries — one of the first such laws in the US.
Key Requirements
Cannot ask about prior salary. Cannot screen based on history. Must provide pay scale on reasonable request after offer.
Penalties
AG enforcement. Civil action for up to 3 years back pay + interest + attorney fees.
Applicability
All Massachusetts employers.
Exemptions
Voluntary disclosure. Rehire (limited).
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 Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History) enacted?
Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History) was enacted on 2016-08-01 and became effective on 2018-07-01. It was introduced as H 1603.
What are the penalties for violating Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History)?
AG enforcement. Civil action for up to 3 years back pay + interest + attorney fees. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History) apply to small businesses?
All Massachusetts 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 Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History)?
The official text of Massachusetts Act to Establish Pay Equity (Salary History) (H 1603) 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 |