2026 HR Compliance Guide
Massachusetts HR Compliance Deadlines for 2026
2 verified employment law changes affecting Massachusetts employers in 2026 — with effective dates, required actions, and penalties for non-compliance. Every entry cites an official government or agency source.
Massachusetts state law changes
Massachusetts Annual Pay-Data (EEO) Report Deadline
Under Chapter 141 of the Acts of 2024, employers with 100+ employees that are already required to file a federal EEO report must submit workforce demographic and pay-data reports to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. The filing is annual with a February 1 deadline; for 2026, February 1 falls on a Sunday so the deadline moves to February 2, 2026.
Applies to: MA employers with 100+ employees required to file a federal EEO report
What to do: Prepare and file the MA pay-data/EEO report with the Secretary of the Commonwealth by February 2, 2026 (matching the applicable federal EEO report data).
Penalty: Non-filers subject to enforcement by the MA Attorney General; escalating civil penalties for continued non-compliance.
Massachusetts Pay Transparency Enforcement Begins
Massachusetts begins enforcement of its pay transparency law in April 2026, requiring employers with 25 or more employees to disclose pay ranges in job postings. Employers must also report pay data by gender and race/ethnicity to the state. The law aims to reduce wage gaps and increase transparency in hiring. The state will accept complaints and begin issuing penalties for non-compliance.
Applies to: Massachusetts employers with 25 or more employees
What to do: Ensure all job postings include pay ranges, prepare and submit required pay data reports to the state, train recruiting teams on disclosure requirements, and establish a process for responding to employee pay range inquiries.
Penalty: Warnings for first offenses, fines of $500 to $25,000 for subsequent violations
Federal deadlines that also apply
These federal requirements apply to Massachusetts employers alongside the state rules above.
Stay compliant — and turn it into recertification credits
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