SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1153

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Brendan P. Crighton

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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 protecting the right to time off for voting.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1153

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act protecting the right to time off for voting.

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

SECTION 1. Section 178 of Chapter 149 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is amended by striking said section and inserting in place thereof the following: - 

Section 178. Every employer shall allow sufficient time for a person under his or her employ to exercise their right to vote in a state or municipal election in the Commonwealth. If a voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote during an election or designated early voting period, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to vote, provided the employee gives the employer at least 3 days notice.

The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the regular working shift, whichever allows the most free time for voting and the least time off from the regular working shift, unless otherwise mutually agreed.

SECTION 2. Said Chapter 149 is further amended by adding the following new sections:

Section 178(a). Every employer subject to this section shall post in a conspicuous place, or via electronic communication, a notice prepared and disseminated by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, containing such relevant information as the Secretary deems necessary to explain the section.

Section 178(b).  Any employer who refuses to comply with the provisions of section one hundred seventy-eight regarding time off to vote shall be punished by providing an aggrieved voter under his or her employ a full day’s pay. 

Enforcement of this section will be under the purview and supervision of the Fair Labor Division of the Attorney General’s Office.