Massachusetts law

Civil Rights Laws in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts civil-rights practice combines federal constitutional and statutory claims with the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act at c. 151B and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act at c. 12, § 11I. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces state employment, housing, education, and public-accommodations claims.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

Administrative and court deadlines vary by claimM.G.L. cc. 151B, 12 § 11I; federal civil-rights statutes

Massachusetts civil-rights claims do not follow one universal deadline. MCAD complaints generally must be filed within 300 days for employment claims; federal claims run on their own timelines.

State law

Key Massachusetts Statutes

Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices ActM.G.L. c. 151B

Chapter 151B prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations based on a broad list of protected classes, with administrative enforcement through MCAD.

Massachusetts Civil Rights ActM.G.L. c. 12, § 11I

The MCRA allows civil actions where threats, intimidation, or coercion interfere with a person’s exercise of rights under state or federal law — a distinctive Massachusetts remedy.

Federal Civil Rights Statutes42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 2000e et seq.

Federal civil-rights statutes — including § 1983 for state-actor misconduct and Title VII for employment discrimination — are frequently paired with Massachusetts claims.

State law

Official Sources

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Massachusetts General Laws

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.

Next step

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

If you want help applying this information to your situation, start with guided help or browse attorneys for this issue in Massachusetts.

Get guided help Browse Civil Rights attorneys

Civil Rights Laws in Massachusetts.

Statute of Limitations

Key Massachusetts Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

Other state law topics.