#massachusetts-law

#massachusetts-law

The venture capital industry fought for years to persuade state lawmakers to impose strict restrictions on noncompete agreements. The VC crowd eventually succeeded in 2018, with the Massachusetts Legislature adopting a one-year limit on all noncompetes - contracts that prevent employees from working for a rival for a certain period of time, often in a specific region. And they were outlawedoutright for lower-paid hourly workers.

BOSTON - Today, on the effective date of a new state law prohibiting real estate brokers and salespersons retained by landlords from charging broker fees to prospective tenants, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) has released an advisory on the new law, highlighting obligations of landlords, brokers, and salespersons under this new law and existing law, and underscoring rights and resources for consumers.

Junk fees are "hidden, surprise, or unnecessary costs that increase the total price of a product beyond the advertised price" that businesses often don't disclose until the end of the transaction," according to the state Attorney General's Office. "Similarly, some businesses have engaged in practices related to trial offers, subscriptions, and automatic and recurring charges to conceal the total cost and nature of a product or service, while making it difficult for consumers to cancel or opt-out of such features."

The proposed budget amendment would empower cities and towns in Massachusetts to establish their own limits on liquor licenses, departing from restrictive Prohibition-era laws.