Wicked Local

State Sen. Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, and Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, both of whom represent Bedford in the state legislature, joined their colleagues in passing criminal justice reform legislation that will lead to a more equitable system that supports young and vulnerable residents, reduces recidivism, increases judicial discretion and enhances public safety.

The bill, an act relative to criminal justice reform, includes many provisions championed by Barrett to address fines and fees that engulf criminal defendants, a problem he has highlighted in his own work. It also includes reforms led by Gordon that allow first-time offenders in some situations to avoid prosecution in a program called Restorative Justice. The legislature also passed an accompanying bill, an act implementing the joint recommendations of the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review, which is designed to complement the comprehensive criminal justice reform legislation. This bill allows individuals to earn early release by participating in recidivism-reduction programs.

“The compromise states that a defendant may not be incarcerated for failure to pay fees if paying would cause severe hardship,” said Barrett. “People are guaranteed a right to a lawyer at ‘fine time’ hearings and defendants deemed indigent will have an associated $150 fee waived.”

“This compromise legislation takes a measured approach to criminal justice, increasing the penalty for such offenses as trafficking in fentanyl and carfentanil, synthetic opioids that threaten our community, while providing an avenue for people with low-level, non-violent drug offenses to get the help they need,” Gordon said. “It increases the penalties for serial offenders convicted of drunk driving but eliminates mandatory-minimum sentences so that discretion can be restored to judges who preside in our courts.”

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Representative Ken Gordon, Minuteman Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels Volunteer 1st Lt. John Bennion – Courtesy image (c) 2018 all rights reserved

The Bedford Citizen

Representative Ken Gordon prepares to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Bedford for Minuteman Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels Program, a valuable community service that provides a safety check and friendly visit as well as a nutritious meal.

Community Champions nationwide are volunteering their time this month in an outreach effort designed to draw attention to senior hunger in our communities, to recruit volunteer drivers and to raise needed funds.

Call toll-free 888-222-6171 for more information or to volunteer to be a Meals on Wheels Driver.

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22 News WWLP.com

The “Me Too” movement is sparking state governments across the nation to take action against sexual harassment. Massachusetts lawmakers hope to reduce instances of sexual harassment in the workplace through a bill filed by Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, (D) Newton.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is illegal but instances often never get reported and some offenders escape detection through confidentiality agreements. Creem said the legislation aims to ensure repeat harassers can not hide behind confidentiality agreements.

“Many people find that if they do come forward, they’re not believed, they’re ridiculed, their potential for future employment becomes reduced,” State Rep. Kenneth Gordon, (D) Bedford, said.

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By MARK BIAGIOTTI

BURLINGTON – State Rep. Kenneth Gordon (D-Bedford) recently visited the Planning Board to update them on the state of transportation in Burlington.

Rep. Gordon’s district includes Burlington.

As Rep. Gordon said to the start discussion, he was in front of the planners to update them on the state of transportation and how it’s affecting Massachusetts and Burlington.

He started off by detailing the “bad news” which chiefly focused on the lack of money available for transportation projects.

“We have been dealing with a deficit with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Operating Budget for a while,” informed Rep, Gordon. “Large amounts of money are hard to come by, but [Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker] is continuing to look into it.”

Rep. Gordon mentioned the “new transportation plan” devised by the White House limits the amount of funds for industrialized states, which includes Massachusetts. As has always been the case, the Federal Government grants autonomy to states to run their transportation programs.

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The Attorney General will receive increased power to investigate and enforce Massachusetts’ sexual harassment and discrimination laws, and clouds of secrecy will be lifted in cases involving serial harassers, if identical bills filed by Representative Kenneth Gordon (D-Bedford) and Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton) are passed.

Co-sponsored by 43 fellow Senators and Representatives, HD4496 and SD2493 will give the AG pre-suit subpoena power and investigative authority in sexual harassment and discrimination suits.  The AG currently has such authority in the areas of consumer and financial fraud.  It also requires the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”) to alert the AG each time it issues a probable cause finding against an alleged harasser two or more times in five years, or three or more times in seven years.  Once the notice is forwarded to the AG, each probable cause finding will become available as a public record with the victims’ names removed.

“The #metoo movement has empowered women throughout the country to take a stand and say #nomore,” said Senator Creem.  “As more and more women are coming forward, it’s become increasingly clear that we need better tools to fight sexual harassment and protect people from recidivist offenders.  While confidentiality agreements can often benefit both parties, they should not be used to shield serial offender. ”

“Many of us want to get to the bottom of allegations involving multiple instances of harassment.  We are frustrated by confidential settlements that prevent victims from telling their story,” said Gordon.  “However, victims often rely on these agreements as a tool to resolve their claims short of a public trial and we don’t want to interfere with their ability to address the emotional and financial harm they have suffered.These bills propose a way to figure out how to discover who is engaged in serial harassment without upsetting the rights of victims to resolve their cases”.

“The MCAD does a good job handling matters involving one-time harassment and discrimination cases, and this bill leaves those cases alone.  However, if the MCAD credits more than one charge against an alleged harasser in the relevant window of time, the findings will be made available to the public.  That means that after even one credited allegation the accused person has to be wary of any future allegation, since a public record will be created.  That record will follow the alleged harasser, as it will be subject to review by any future victim, and available for any future job interview.”

The bill proposes its relief as an amendment to Chapter 151B, which affects all employers except religious entities.  It would take effect upon passage, affecting only future complaints.