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SD 574

An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 3 co-sponsors

Bill expands domestic violence victim protections to all Massachusetts employees, guaranteeing leave, accommodations, and anti-retaliation safeguards regardless of employer size.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 574

Legislative bill overview

SD 574 extends domestic violence victim protections to all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of employer size or employment classification. The bill ensures that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking have access to leave, workplace accommodations, and legal protections against retaliation.

Why is this important

Current Massachusetts law provides these protections only to employees at larger employers or those in specific employment categories, leaving many vulnerable workers without legal safeguards. Extending protections to all employees removes gaps that could force victims to choose between their safety and their employment, particularly affecting workers in small businesses and precarious employment situations.

Potential points of contention

  • Small business compliance costs: Employers with fewer resources may struggle to implement leave policies, workplace accommodations, and recordkeeping requirements without additional state support or funding
  • Definition scope: Disagreement may arise over how broadly "domestic violence," "stalking," and qualifying incidents are defined, and what constitutes reasonable workplace accommodations
  • Employer privacy and verification concerns: Balancing victim confidentiality with employers' legitimate need to verify claims and prevent abuse of the system, particularly regarding documentation requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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