The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts House Bill 2116 clarifies employer definition in public employee anti-retaliation statute
Last action · January 12, 2026: Read second and ordered to a third readingSponsor: Ken Gordon
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 2116 amends Section 148A of Chapter 149 of the to clarify the definition of 'employer' by explicitly cross-referencing Section 148 for public employee .
The measure establishes a precise statutory definition for employers under the state's public employee anti-retaliation law, aligning it with existing labor definitions in Chapter 149 for public sector workers.
- House Bill 2116 was introduced during the 195th session of the Massachusetts General Court and referred to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Public employees
Public employees are subject to revised statutory definitions governing anti-retaliation protections in their workplaces.
Public-sector employers
Public employers are governed by the clarified definition of employer under the state labor code.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute does House Bill 2116 amend?
How does the bill define 'employer' for anti-retaliation protections?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.
Procedural history
8 actions- Jan 12, 2026HouseRead second and ordered to a third reading
- Jan 12, 2026HouseRules suspended
- Jan 12, 2026HouseCommittee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- Dec 22, 2025HouseCommitteeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
- Sep 8, 2025HouseReporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025
- Jun 12, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 06/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:00 PM in B-1
Show 2 earlier actions
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance35How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools