7 notable Massachusetts laws that will take effect in 2025 — and 2 more that might

Many of the laws passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Gov. Maura Healey in 2024 have already kicked in. But others won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2025, or later, either in part or in their entirety. And in several cases, Healey is still reviewing proposed laws passed by the Legislature in a flurry of end-of-the-year lawmaking.

Here are seven noteworthy pieces of legislation that will become operative in the new year, plus two pending items that would join that list if Healey gives her imprimatur.

Families will get a bigger tax credit

The billion-dollar tax cut package Healey signed in October 2023 included a phased-in, expanded credit for children and other dependents. When people do their taxes in 2025, they’ll be able to claim $440 for each dependent child, disabled adult, or senior. That’s up from the $180 credit before the package and $310 last year. The Healey administration touts it as the most generous such credit in the country.

Renters can ask to seal their eviction records

The focus of 2024’s sprawling Affordable Homes Act is the production of new housing aimed at tamping down costs in Massachusetts. But starting in May 2025, it will also let people who were previously evicted from their homes ask a court to seal those records. When those requests can be made depends on the type of case in question and when the eviction occurred. The change is aimed at making it easier for people who’ve struggled to keep housing in the past to find it in the present.

Don’t tell your in-laws, but small apartments will be easier to build

As of February 2025, the Affordable Homes Act also allows the creation of so-called accessory dwelling units by right on single-family lots. These units, also known as in-law apartments, must be under 900 square feet, and can either be freestanding or attached to the original home. The Healey administration estimates that up to 10,000 accessory dwelling units will be built in the next five years under the law.

You’ll have the right to know salary ranges for jobs

Come October, a new law aimed at closing racial and gender wage gaps will require employers with 25 or more employees to include a specific pay range in job postings, and to provide a pay range to employees who are being offered transfers or promotions. Employees who already hold a particular position will be able to request a pay range for that job as well. Supporters say the bill will promote pay equity and increase Massachusetts’ economic competitiveness.

The MCAS will be gone as a graduation requirement

Thanks to voters’ approval of a 2024 ballot question, the 10th grade MCAS test will no longer be used as a graduation requirement for students at public high schools. The test will still be administered, but passage won’t be necessary in order to receive a diploma.

Raise a glass to craft beer and spirits at farmers’ markets

Another huge piece of legislation passed by the House and Senate and signed by the governor, the economic development bill known as the Mass Leads Act, includes a provision to let purveyors of craft beer and spirits offer their wares at Massachusetts farmers markets. The change will become noticeable on a large scale when those markets resume operations this spring. Sales of craft cider and wine were already legal.

No traveling elephants allowed

Circuses themselves, and analogous events, are still legal in Massachusetts. But as of Jan. 1, those that come or set up shop here can no longer use elephants, large cats, primates or other large animals under an animal-welfare bill Healey signed in August.

PENDING: Prices for some prescriptions could drop

Legislation passed yesterday would require health insurers to cover medications for asthma, diabetes and some heart conditions with either no or limited out-of-pocket costs for patients. The bill would also prevent patients from being charged copays if it would be cheaper for them to purchase a particular drug without using their insurance. Healey is reviewing the legislation.

PENDING: Regulations could head off another Steward-style meltdown

The Legislature’s late-December lawmaking sprint also included a bill aimed at preventing a repeat of Steward Health Care’s recent collapse in Massachusetts. Among other things, the new legislation would increase reporting requirements for hospitals and registered provider organizations, or RPOs, and increase penalties for noncompliance. Healey is reviewing the legislation.