State reference · MA
Massachusetts ADA + employment hiring law
Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (Chapter 151B), M.G.L. c. 151B § 4. Enforced by Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). Federal ADA Title I (42 U.S.C. § 12112) applies in parallel.
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State statute
Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (Chapter 151B) is codified at M.G.L. c. 151B § 4.
Prohibits employment discrimination based on handicap and other protected classes.
Federal ADA Title I (42 U.S.C. § 12112) and EEOC implementing regulations (29 C.F.R. Part 1630) apply in parallel.
Enforcing agency
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Agency website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-against-discrimination
MCAD has a worksharing agreement with the EEOC; charges are typically dual-filed.
Employer-coverage threshold
6+ employees under M.G.L. c. 151B § 1(5).
Notable feature
Massachusetts uses the term "handicap" in its statute and recognizes a broader handicap definition than the federal ADA in several respects.
What this page is not
This page is a public-record reference to statutes and agencies. It is not a survey of Massachusetts case law, an enforcement-history summary, or legal advice. Relevant case law and agency-guidance interpretations evolve. Consult qualified employment counsel for Massachusetts-specific questions.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary employment-discrimination statute in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (Chapter 151B), codified at M.G.L. c. 151B § 4. Prohibits employment discrimination based on handicap and other protected classes.
Which agency enforces employment-discrimination law in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD). MCAD has a worksharing agreement with the EEOC; charges are typically dual-filed.
What employer-size threshold applies in Massachusetts?
6+ employees under M.G.L. c. 151B § 1(5).
How does Massachusetts interact with federal ADA Title I?
Federal ADA Title I (42 U.S.C. § 12112) applies to private employers with 15 or more employees nationwide. Massachusetts employers also face the state-level statutory framework above. MCAD has a worksharing agreement with the EEOC; charges are typically dual-filed.
Where can I read the Massachusetts statute and agency materials?
Statute citation: M.G.L. c. 151B § 4. Agency: Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-against-discrimination. EEOC ADA Title I guidance is available at https://www.eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination.
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