Clarifying the process for paying the wages of dismissed employees

The bill aims to clarify how employers in Massachusetts must handle wage payments to employees who are dismissed. It updates the existing laws to establish a 'Right to Cure' process, allowing employers a 15-business-day period to pay any owed wages after receiving a written demand from a dismissed employee. If the employer pays any undisputed wages during this period, they won't be responsible for attorney fees or triple damages. If an employer can demonstrate their actions were made in good faith or were based on wrong information, the court may decide not to impose extra penalties.

MA H2163 is a house bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Jeffrey Roy (D), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,656 Massachusetts bills this session, 33 of them sponsored by Jeffrey Roy.

Supporters of the bill would highlight that it provides a fair and clear process for resolving wage disputes between employers and dismissed employees. It encourages timely resolution of payment issues by allowing employers to correct mistakes without facing severe penalties if they act promptly and in good faith. This could lead to improved relationships between employers and employees and prevent unnecessary legal disputes.

Critics might argue that the bill provides too much leeway for employers, allowing them to avoid penalties for wage violations as long as they pay within a grace period. They could express concerns that it might make it harder for employees to claim owed wages and diminish the deterrent effect of penalties, thereby potentially enabling exploitative practices by employers who can claim good faith mistakes.