Mass. senator files bill to ban post‑termination non‑compete clauses for veterinarians

Sen. Rebecca L. Rausch filed Senate bill No. 1366 on Jan. 17, 2025, proposing to bar post‑termination non‑compete clauses in contracts with veterinarians licensed in Massachusetts. The bill language states that any contract that "includes any restriction of the right of such veterinarian to practice veterinary medicine in any geographic area for any period of time after the termination" of an employment or professional relationship "shall be void and unenforceable with respect to said restriction."

The proposal would amend Chapter 112 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding Section 59B and applies to veterinarians "registered to practice veterinary medicine pursuant to section 55" of that chapter. The text also specifies that voiding a non‑compete restriction would not invalidate other provisions of the same contract.

The filing lists Rebecca L. Rausch as the petitioner (district: Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex) and indicates referral to the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The docket entry (Senate Docket No. 1954) notes similar matter filed in the 2023–2024 session (Senate No. 1218).

The bill, as introduced, is a legislative proposal and does not record any committee action, vote, or effective date in the provided text. Next steps for the measure would follow the normal legislative process: committee consideration, possible hearings or amendments, and votes in the Legislature. The filing does not specify implementation details, funding, or enforcement mechanisms beyond the statutory language quoted above.