| Adopted Date: | 02/01/2026 |
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- This page, Section 526. Unemployment hearing privilege, is offered by
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- Massachusetts Court System
Guide to Evidence
Article V. Privileges and Disqualifications
Guide to Evidence Section 526. Unemployment hearing privilege
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Table of Contents
(a) Statutory bar on the use of information from unemployment hearing
Subject to the exceptions listed in Subsection (b), information secured during an unemployment hearing is absolutely privileged, is not public record, and is not admissible in any action or proceeding.
(b) Exceptions
Such information may be admissible only in the following actions or proceedings:
- (1) criminal or civil cases brought pursuant to G. L. c. 151A where the department or Commonwealth is a necessary party,
- (2) civil cases relating to the enforcement of child support obligations,
- (3) criminal prosecutions for homicide, and
- (4) criminal prosecutions for violation of Federal law.
Note
This section is derived from G. L. c. 151A, § 46, and Tuper v. North Adams Ambulance Service, Inc., 428 Mass. 132, 137 (2008) (“Information secured pursuant to [G. L. c. 151A] is confidential, is for the exclusive use and information of the department in the discharge of its duties, is not a public record, and may not be used in any action or proceeding.”). A violation of this statute may be punishable as a misdemeanor.
Contact
Online
Email a reference librarian:
Email Trial Court Law Libraries at lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us