SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1796        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Sal N. DiDomenico

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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 strengthening nondiscrimination policies.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1796        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1160 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act strengthening nondiscrimination policies.

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. Chapter 151B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:- "Section 11: Each executive department and agency shall develop, adhere to and update a plan to address the nondiscrimination provisions as set forth in this chapter. The plan shall apply to all personnel, including, but not limited to, volunteers and interns, agency line staff, managers, administrators, executives, contracted vendors and program staff (hereinafter “personnel”). Each plan shall include, but not be limited to: descriptions of and statements prohibiting discrimination as outlined in this chapter; procedures for collecting and maintaining demographic data; procedures for all personnel and others to report discrimination or retaliation; a provision that reports of discrimination or retaliation may be made anonymously; procedures for promptly responding to and investigating reports of discrimination or retaliation; the range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against a perpetrator for discrimination or retaliation; provided, however, that the disciplinary actions shall include strategies for protecting a person who reports discrimination from retaliation and provides information during an investigation of discrimination. The nondiscrimination plan may detail a plan and timeline for personnel training on nondiscrimination and equal access under chapter 151B of the general laws. The plan shall be updated at least biennially.

SECTION 2. Each executive department and agency shall submit nondiscrimination plans, as outlined in section 1, to the Clerks of the House and Senate, the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity no later than January 1, 2027.