SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2800        FILED ON: 10/14/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford, (BY REQUEST)

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to protecting people with disabilities.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2800        FILED ON: 10/14/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to protecting people with disabilities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 151B of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 11. (a) The commission shall protect people with disabilities against unlawful discrimination. Violation of this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter under section 9.

(b) The commission is authorized to seek emergency or injunctive orders directing a person to comply with legal protections and requirements to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

(c) People with disabilities may enforce their rights under state law and under the Americans with Disabilities Act by filing a complaint with the commission. All such complaints shall be public.

(d) A person with disabilities who seeks an accommodation or other right under law shall be presumptively granted that accommodation or right, unless the subject of the complaint demonstrates that enforcement of such accommodation or right would constitute undue hardship.

(e) The commission shall notify any person filing a complaint under this section of their rights to obtain public records, including records of the commission, related to their complaint. All public agencies shall comply forthwith with any public record request filed under this section.

(f) If the commission finds credible evidence of misconduct in violation of this section or section 8, the case shall be referred to the office of the inspector general or attorney general.