Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators State House, Room 460 • , MA • 02133

(617) 722 – 2266 • www.mawomenscaucus.com

A Busy 2013-2014 Legislative Session Domestic Violence In August, the legislature passed domestic violence legislation which helps empower victims, creates new criminal offenses and penalties, boosts prevention efforts and also established new employee rights. The bill standardizes records and mandates that they be shared across jurisdictions, which allows public safety officials to have access to the most accurate information and an offender’s complete history. The bill also abolishes the practice of the parties in a domestic violence case agreeing to a private financial settlement. Additionally, the bill establishes fees for domestic violence offences, increase penalties for subsequent restraining order violations and also requires employers with 50 or more employees to allow up to 15 days of leave to any employee who is a victim of domestic violence or who lives with a family member who is a victim of domestic violence.

Safe Access On June 26, the Supreme Court struck down the 2007 Massachusetts buffer zone law that created a 35-foot protest-free buffer zone outside reproductive health care centers. The legislature responded quickly to the ruling in a way that recognizes the need for free speech and also protects the safety and rights of women seeking care at these centers. A bill filed by Senator Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) was passed by the legislature that prohibits a group of two or more people from blocking the entrance or driveways of these clinics. The bill also allows law enforcement to disperse protesters at least 25 feet away from the entrance or driveway for a maximum of eight hours or until the close of business for the facility, whichever is earlier.

Shackling of Pregnant Inmates This bill, co-sponsored by Senator (D-Ashland) and Representative (D-Newton), updates regulations on pregnant inmates in correctional facilities across the Commonwealth. It creates a uniform policy within the Department of Correction and each county House of Correction. The bill strictly limits the use of restraints, such as handcuffs and leg irons, on pregnant inmates and it also establishes a minimum level of care that must be given to pregnant inmates in these facilities.

Minimum Wage Did you know that 2/3 of minimum wage workers across America are women? The Massachusetts legislature passed a new minimum wage law that will assist these working women and their families. Over the next three years, the minimum wage will increase from $8.00 per hour to $11.00 per hour. The updates also increase the service wage to $3.75 per hour over the next three years.

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators: Fall 2014 Page 1

A group of members from our Annual Meeting on July 17. From L-R: Rep. , Rep. , Rep. , Rep. , Sen. Harriette Chandler, Rep. , Rep. Kay Khan, Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Gale Candaras, Caucus Co-Chair Rep. , Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Susan Gifford, Rep. , Rep. , Rep. , Rep. , Rep. and Rep. Gailanne Cariddi.

A group of members celebrating the annual Go Red for Women Event to raise awareness about heart disease. From L-R: Rep. , Sen. Jen Flanagan, Rep. Betty Poirier, Rep. , Sen. Pat Jehlen, Sen. Gale Candaras, Rep. Claire Cronin, Rep. Rhonda Nyman, Rep. Carole Fiola, Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Denise Andrews, Senate President Therese Murray, Rep. , Rep. Cory Atkins, Rep. Ruth Balser, Rep. Kate Hogan, Rep. Jen Benson, Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. Denise Provost.

Donation Drives The Caucus was happy to participate in a number of donation drives over the past few months. We collaborated with Lazarus House Ministries in Lawrence for a summer items donation drive and the YWCA of Central Massachusetts and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts for a toiletrie drive. Thanks to Rep. Kate Hogan, we also collected items for “Girls Helping Girls”, a donation drive for toiletries to help women veterans. Most recently, the Caucus worked with the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Office Depot Foundation Program and the Home for Little Wanderers in distributing 600 backpacks with supplies to school children across the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators: Fall 2014 Page 2

Follow us on social media!

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators

@MAWomensCaucus

Website: www.mawomenscaucus.com

Questions, comments or concerns? Contact: Lauren Scribi, Executive Director State House, Room 460 Boston, MA 02133 Phone: (617) 722-2266 Email: [email protected]

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators: Fall 2014 Page 3