BOSTON—The Massachusetts Senate recently passed Senate Bill 2562, An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification. This bill would establish a non-binary gender identity option for Massachusetts licenses.

The bill requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to allow an applicant for a driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card to choose “X” instead of “male or “female.” The bill also prohibits the RMV from requiring documentation for such designation.

“This legislation is yet another important step towards creating a more inclusive Massachusetts, where residents are free to live their lives in the way that they are most comfortable,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “I am proud to support this non-binary gender policy to ensure that everyone’s state-issued Identification aligns with their true lived identity.”

“With the passage of this bill, we are affirming Massachusetts’ commitment to pursuing policy changes that allow all residents to be true to themselves. Moving away from gender binaries is an important step,” said Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). 

 Oregon, California, Maine and Washington D.C. also have laws allowing a gender neutral identity option on licenses.

 The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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BOSTON – Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to ban certain toxic chemical flame retardants from children's products, including toys and nap mats, upholstered furniture, window dressings, carpeting, and bedding that has been made or sold in the state. Senator DiDomenico is a co-sponsor of this critical bill and has been a longtime supporter of its passage. 

“For years, flame retardants have provided us with a false sense of security, all while posing a serious health threat to the people of the Commonwealth, especially our children and fire fighters. By reducing the amount of dangerous toxic chemicals in our homes, this bill will go a long way towards improving public health and protecting our first responders,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate.

The bill establishes an initial list of eleven chemical flame retardants that would be subject to the ban. The list is based on scientific research which shows that exposure may lead to an increased risk of cancer, neurological issues, fertility problems and other health concerns. The bill requires that manufacturers notify retailers about those products which contain the chemicals before the ban goes into effect.

Foam products, including toys, are the most likely item to be treated with flame retardant chemicals. Over time, the chemicals are diffused throughout the home as dust, which can be inhaled or absorbed by children, pets and other family members. The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts support this legislation, and have raised special concern about the heightened health risks that result from chemical flame retardants when they are exposed to high heat and combustion.

Chemical compounds used as flame retardants can change as chemists develop new formulas. The Senate bill calls for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to update the list of prohibited chemicals every three years. DEP would do so in consultation with the state's Toxics Use Reduction Institute and the Science Advisory Board, and would identify newly-developed chemicals and promulgate new rules within nine months of identification. The full prohibited chemical list would be updated every three years.

DiDomenico previously voted to pass this legislation in 2016.  This is the second time the Senate has considered and passed the bill. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives for further action.

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BOSTON- Last week, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously voted to pass Senator Sal DiDomenico’s (D-Everett) legislation to help prevent the illegal practice of wage theft and promote employer accountability. The bill, S.2327, gives the state greater power to go after wage violators and provides additional tools for the Attorney General’s office to hold violators fully accountable. This is landmark legislation for workers rights,  and it is one of the strongest wage theft bills in the country.

“The practice of wage theft comes in many different forms, but they all have the common denominator of hurting workers, their families, our communities, and law-abiding businesses” said DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate.  “This legislation takes crucial steps to protect workers from this illicit practice and holds employers accountable for their actions. I am proud of the action my colleagues and I in the Senate have once again taken to ensure that the hard working men and women of the Commonwealth receive the pay they have earned and rightfully deserve.”

“Wage theft is a crime that affects thousands of Massachusetts residents who are trying to live a happy and productive life in the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “Stealing an employee’s hard-earned wages, in any way, cannot and will not be tolerated. I am proud of the Senate for passing this legislation, and I want to thank Senators DiDomenico and Lewis for their hard work on this issue.” 

“Wage theft happens far too often in Massachusetts, and we all agree that it must stop now,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This bill strikes an important balance to ensure all workers are paid their rightfully owed wages and hold employers accountable, without punishing those who are already doing the right thing.”

“In spite of strong labor laws and many successful and law-abiding businesses in our state, wage theft remains a major problem in Massachusetts, especially for the most vulnerable workers, like immigrants and low-income families” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “This legislation will help prevent and deter wage theft, ensure a level playing field for all employers, and protect the rights of working families.”

Wage theft has become a pervasive problem throughout the Massachusetts economy, with an estimated $700 million stolen from 350,000 employees each year in the Commonwealth. This illegal practice can take many different forms, such as violating minimum wage laws, not paying overtime, forcing workers to work off the clock, misclassifying employees, or simply not paying workers at all. Wage theft also hurts law-abiding employers by creating an uneven playing field for companies that follow the law and that do right by their workers.

 To crack down on wage theft and increase accountability in labor contracting and subcontracting, the bill holds lead contractors liable for wages, as well as any penalties or fines, associated with wage theft violations. The bill also enhances the enforcement power of the Attorney General’s office by allowing it to bring wage theft cases to court and seek civil damages.

In cases where there has been a determination of a wage theft violation, the Attorney General would have the ability to issue a stop work order, temporarily halting work until the violation is corrected. Employers would then have the ability to correct the violation and resume operation, or request a hearing.

The bill also establishes a wage theft compensation fund, administered by the Attorney General, to expend funds to workers and lead contractors under certain circumstances, as well as to provide worker outreach and education to prevent wage theft.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.