H 4537
An Act relative to sexual harassment
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, An Act relative to sexual harassment, aims to establish legal protections against sexual harassment in the Commonwealth, specifically targeting professional investors who do business in Massachusetts. It defines key terms related to venture capital and outlines procedures for individuals to pursue legal action against professional investors engaging in unlawful sexual conduct, including seeking damages and injunctive relief. The Attorney General is also granted the authority to enforce these provisions.
Key provisions
- Defines key terms such as ‘derivative investment,’ ‘professional investor,’ ‘venture capital company,’ ‘venture capital fund,’ and ‘venture capital investment’ to provide clarity for legal purposes.
- Prohibits sexual harassment by professional investors, including direct and indirect conduct, when it’s linked to business investment decisions or creates an intimidating work environment.
- Allows individuals and businesses to sue professional investors for damages resulting from sexual harassment.
- Grants the Attorney General the power to enforce the law and seek similar remedies.
- Establishes a three-year statute of limitations for filing lawsuits related to sexual harassment violations.
- Provides for the recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs in successful lawsuits.
- Requires liberal construction of the law to achieve its intended purpose.
- Specifies that the bill does not repeal existing laws.
Who is affected
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Cosponsors
Bruce E. Tarr
Danillo A. Sena
James B. Eldridge
Lindsay N. Sabadosa
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.4537 194th (Current)
An Act relative to sexual harassment
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on the Judiciary Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Tabs
Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4537
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 9/25/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on The Judiciary |
| 9/25/2025 | House | New draft of H1921 |
| 9/25/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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