A recent  criminal case raised a facial challenge to G.L. c. 140, § 131, arguing that the firearms licensing statute violates the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen,  597 U.S. 1 (2022). The defendant had not applied for a firearms license and had conditionally pled guilty to carrying a loaded firearm without a license. He reserved his right to pursue motions to suppress and to...

When may the employer question whether an employee’s request for an accommodation is due to a sincerely held religious belief? While the sincerity of the belief cannot be successfully challenged by the employer on summary judgment, an employee’s proffered explanations at the time of the request may cause the trier of fact to conclude that it is not sincerely held. The question arose in the context of a hospital that required its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID. The plaintiff, a new...

Comment Period is Open for Draft Regulations on Seasonal Communities The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has published proposed regulations for seasonal communities, per G.L. c. 23B, § 32. Public comments will be accepted until October 31, 2025. Wage Transparency Act is Now in Effect Ch. 141 of the Acts of 2024, the Wage Transparency Act, went into effect on October 29, 2025. Are you in compliance? Review our September 2024 summary of the law if you need a refresher.