Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102 (2026)

Equal rights; violations; civil actions; costs

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 102. (a) All persons within the commonwealth, regardless of sex, race, color, creed or national origin, shall have, except as is otherwise provided or permitted by law, the same rights enjoyed by white male citizens, to make and enforce contracts, to inherit, purchase, to lease, sell, hold and convey real and personal property, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other.

(b) A person whose rights under the provisions of subsection (a) have been violated may commence a civil action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief, including the award of compensatory and exemplary damages. Said civil action shall be instituted either in the superior court for the county in which the conduct complained of occurred, or in the superior court for the county in which the person whose conduct complained of resides or has his principal place of business.

(c) A violation of subsection (a) is established if, based on the totality of circumstances, it is shown that any individual is denied any of the rights protected by subsection (a).

(d) An aggrieved person who prevails in an action authorized by subsection (b), in addition to other damages, shall be entitled to an award of the costs of the litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 128 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1990–2025 · leading case: Thurdin v. SEI Boston, LLC, 895 N.E.2d 446 (Mass. 2008).

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Thurdin v. SEI Boston, LLC, 895 N.E.2d 446 (Mass. 2008). · cites it 18× “151B, because the employer had fewer than six employees, may instead assert a claim under G. L. c. 93, § 102, one of the provisions of the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (MERA).”

Weber v. Cmty. Teamwork, Inc., 752 N.E.2d 700 (Mass. 2001). · cites it 5× “, a member *763 of CTI’s board of directors, alleging discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation, breach of contract, unlawful interference with contractual relations, retaliatory discrimination, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and a violation…”

Ruffino v. State Street Bank & Trust Co., 908 F. Supp. 1019 (D. Mass. 1995). · cites it 7× “214, § 1C (Count II), M.G.L. c. 93, § 102 (Count IV) and 42 U.S.”

Lopez v. Commonwealth, 463 Mass. 696 (Mass. 2012). · cites it 4× “The complaint also alleges that the division violated G. L. c. 93, § 102, which provides in relevant part that all persons shall have the same rights to make and enforce contracts as those enjoyed by “white male citizens.”

Harvard Law Sch. Coalition for Civil Rights v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll., 595 N.E.2d 316 (Mass. 1992). · cites it 5× “Standing under G. L. c. 93, § 102. The judge ruled that G.”

Commodore v. Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., 824 N.E.2d 453 (Mass. App. Ct. 2005). · cites it 6× “151B and G. L. c. 93, § 102, and the health care whistleblower statute, G.”

Ellis v. Saf. Ins., 672 N.E.2d 979 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996). · cites it 4× “214, § IB (Count V), and violated their civil rights contrary to G. L. c. 93, § 102 (Count VI). The defendants moved for summary judgment on all counts pursuant to Mass.”

Currier v. Nat'l Bd. of Med. Examiners, 462 Mass. 1 (Mass. 2012). · cites it 4× “12, §§ 11H, 111; (3) the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (equal rights act), G. L. c. 93, § 102; and (4) the Massachusetts public accommodation discrimination statute (public accommodation statute), G.”

Charland v. Muzi Motors, Inc., 631 N.E.2d 555 (Mass. 1994). · cites it 2× “) 3 and G. L. c. 93, §§ 102 and 103 (1992 ed.) (equal rights act).”

Butler v. RMS Tech., Inc., 741 F. Supp. 1008 (D. Mass. 1990). · cites it 6× “12, § 111, and M.G.L. c. 93, § 102. The defendant has moved to dismiss the § 1981 and state law claims.”

Dalis v. Buyer Advert., Inc., 636 N.E.2d 212 (Mass. 1994). · cites it 3× “(defendant), alleging violations of G. L. c. 93, § 102 (1992 ed.) (equal rights act); G.”

Pielech v. Massasoit Greyhound, Inc., 441 Mass. 188 (Mass. 2004). · cites it 3× “151B, § 4 [1A]), violation of the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (G. L. c. 93, § 102), and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.”

Show all 128 citing cases →

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102(2) — 1 case

Gaines v. Boston Herald, Inc., 998 F. Supp. 91 (D. Mass. 1998).

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102(6) — 1 case

Pielech v. Massasoit Greyhound, Inc., 712 N.E.2d 1200 (Mass. App. Ct. 1999).

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102(a) — 14 cases

Thurdin v. SEI Boston, LLC, 895 N.E.2d 446 (Mass. 2008). “151B, because the employer had fewer than six employees, may instead assert a claim under G. L. c. 93, § 102, one of the provisions of the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act (MERA).”

McLaughlin Ex Rel. McLaughlin v. Boston Sch. Comm., 976 F. Supp. 53 (D. Mass. 1997).

Alfonso v. Aufiero, 66 F. Supp. 2d 183 (D. Mass. 1999).

Noel v. Town of Plymouth, Mass., 895 F. Supp. 346 (D. Mass. 1995).

DeBarboza v. Cablevision of Boston, Inc., 9 Mass. L. Rptr. 539 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1999).

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93, § 102(c) — 2 cases

McDonnell v. Certified Eng'g & Testing Co., 899 F. Supp. 739 (D. Mass. 1995).

Currier v. Nat'l Bd. of Med. Examiners, 27 Mass. L. Rptr. 414 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2010).

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