Chap. 0333 An Act to limit the time within which certain actions to recover back wages may be commenced.

Whereas, Certain judicial interpretations of certain federal acts have changed the official interpretation of the law prevailing at the time wages were paid so that certain employers within the commonwealth are being subjected to a multiplicity of suits for back wages for which they were formerly not liable; and

Whereas, Many such employers may be forced into bankruptcy and liquidation by the collection of such back wages, damages and expenses previously not anticipated, and the deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which in part is to limit immediately the time within which such actions may be commenced; therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted, etc., as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 260 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4, as most recently amended by section 4 of chapter 409 of the acts of 1943, the following section: - Section Actions to recover back wages based upon any judicial interpretation of a state or federal statute differing from or overruling a previous interpretation of the same shall be commenced only within one year next after the date of such new judicial interpretation.

Section 2. Actions to recover back wages based upon any judicial interpretation of a state or federal statute differing from or overruling a previous interpretation of the same shall, if such new judicial interpretation was made prior to the effective date of this act, be commenced only within one year next after such effective date.

Approved May 5, 1947.