Amendment ID: S2708-48

Amendment 48

Self-Sufficiency

Mr. Velis, Ms. Rausch, Messrs. Oliveira and Moore, Ms. Comerford, Ms. Edwards and Messrs. Kennedy, Keenan and Feeney move that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following new section:-

SECTION XX. Chapter 149 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following new section:

Section 204. Asylee state worker permit program

(a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Asylee”, a person as defined in the federal immigration and nationality act (8 U.S.C Section 1101) provided for the purposes of this section such term shall include both asylees who have filed federal paperwork to obtain asylum status and those who are in the process of filing such application.

“Employment”, employment in both the private and public sectors.

(b) The secretary of labor and workforce development shall establish a temporary program for the expedited issuance of work permits by the department of labor standards to asylum seekers residing in Massachusetts within ninety days of the effective date of this section.

(1) The secretary shall promulgate emergency rules and regulations for the issuance of worker permits to asylees, provided that: (i) permits shall be issued within thirty dates of application; (ii) permits issued shall be valid for a period of twelve months from issuance, but may be renewed pursuant to regulations adopted by the department; (iii) no fees shall be charged for the issuance of permits.

(2) Nothing contained within this section shall be construed to grant any additional rights not explicitly provided for pursuant to this section.