Hi.
On July 13, 2008, a new law will take effect. The law states that Massachusetts employers who fail to comply with Mass. wage and hour laws will be assessed treble damages by the state courts if found in violation. Is this retroactive in other words if someone files a complaint on July 14th, 2008 and wins the case is the employer obligated to pay the back wages back to the year 2005????

Very likely, no. But you would have to read the full text of the law to be sure.

Reading the text of the law isn't making anyone sure.

The law, like many Massachusetts laws, is very vague and will likely be subject to a bit of judicial activism/legislative guidance/pick yer favorite buzzword. Article XXIV of the Constitution of Massachusetts does not apply here either.