BOSTON – A new year brings change, and new laws will take effect in Massachusetts before 2025.
From salary transparency to affordable housing to new tax breaks, we’ve compiled a list of upcoming policy changes that will impact Massachusetts residents at some point in the new year.
Salary Transparency Act
By the end of the new year, a Salary transparency bill which was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in 2024, will take effect. From October 29, 2025“Massachusetts employers who employ 25 or more employees “will be required to disclose salary ranges and protect an employee’s right to inquire about salary ranges,” the state says.
Massachusetts becomes the 11th state to mandate pay transparency, say supporters of the bill.
“This new law is an important next step toward closing wage gaps, especially for people of color and women,” Healey said in a statement. “It will also strengthen the ability of Massachusetts employers to build diverse, talented teams.”
Sealing eviction notices
As part of the Affordable Housing Act that Healey signed in August, there are new provisions that will take effect in 2025 to make it easier for some people to find a place to live. Starting on May 5, 2025people can petition the court to seal previous eviction records that may be preventing them from renting.
The new law does not mean that old evictions will be automatically sealed, as courts will decide on a case-by-case basis. No-fault eviction cases are sealed immediately after an appeal period has expired.
Accessory residential units
Another aspect of the Affordable Homes Act, the Additional residential units provision comes into effect February 2, 2025.
Accessory dwelling units are defined by the state as a “secondary dwelling unit located on the same lot of a single-family dwelling.” This could be a house in the backyard, a basement that has been converted into an apartment or a new extension to an existing house.
The new law allows families to add a new rental apartment to their property by creating ADUs up to 900 square feet in size. The governor’s office estimates this could lead to the construction of 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs and help reduce housing costs in Massachusetts.
Extensive child and family discount
Massachusetts families filing their taxes this spring will be able to take advantage of an expanded child and family tax benefit from the tax cut package Healey signed into law in 2023. For tax year 2024 and going forward on a permanent basis, the credit per dependent child, disabled adult or senior will increase to $440.
The administration says this is the “most generous universal tax credit for children and dependents in the country,” and estimates it will benefit 565,000 families in Massachusetts.
Benefits for Veterans
A bill signed in August called the HERO Act will provide new benefits for Massachusetts veterans in 2025.
The annuity for disabled veterans will increase to $1,250 February 2025 and then become an annual payment of $2,500, starting August 2025. Also in 2025, veterans with a disabled veterans license plate can use the special Purple Heart license plates for sales tax exemption.
Voting questions
Massachusetts will also be affected in 2025 by two ballot questions approved by voters in November.
Voters have passed an initiative that will put an end to the MCAS graduation requirement for students in 2025 and beyond. As the State House News Service reports, this means school districts will have to come up with new graduation standards by the end of the school year.
Another voting question, which authorizes accountant Diana DiZoglio control the state legislaturewill come into effect January 5. DiZoglio has been at odds with House and Senate leaders over the scope of the audit, and several groups are threatening a possible lawsuit early this new year to force their cooperation with the auditor.
