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.

Representative Ken Gordon is accepting applications for college level internships in his office during Summer 2018. Internships at the State House are unpaid. While each internship is unique and largely reflects the interests of the intern, the following provides a broad outline of the program: Summer internships run from mid-June to the first week of August Interns will work from the State House 2-3 days per week Summer interns have the opportunity to attend daily briefings given by Massachusetts political, non-profit, and business leaders Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Assisting staff in legislative matters: Policy research Drafting letters of support for bills the Rep. has co-sponsored Bill summaries Attending legislative briefings Executing a long-term research project: Interns will select a policy area of interest to research. The project summarizes a problem, explores possible solutions (including other states’ solutions or international solutions) and proposes a solution for Massachusetts. Meaningful final projects are between 6-10 written pages or an equivalent presentation. Past examples include work on driverless cars, water permitting, transportation within the Rep’s district, health programs in prisons, and the opioid crisis. Interns will meet with Representative Gordon on a weekly basis to discuss their project Interested applicants should submit the following to [email protected] by April 30th: A resume A cover letter detailing interest in an internship at the State House A 2 – 4 page writing sample If you have any questions, please call 617-722-2575 or send an email to [email protected]

The bridge on Carlisle Road spanning the Concord River will be re-named this Memorial Day, dedicated in honor of two Bedford natives who died serving in Iraq. Pfc. John Hart and Lance Cpl. Travis Desiato were both graduates of Bedford High School and were killed in the line of duty in Iraq. On Friday, Dec. 22 state representative Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, and state senator Mike Barrett, D-Lexington, announced that next Memorial Day, the bridge on Carlisle Road will be dedicated and named after the two men. Gordon and Barrett filed the bill and Gov. Charlie Baker signed the bill last week. “We are a town of 14,500 people, and we had two heroes who knew each other, die in action less than 15 months apart,” Gordon said. “During the Memorial Day ceremony in 2017 I spoke with the families of both men and they were talking about a way to honor the men, and I thought it was a great idea. Since I’m a state representative I knew we could do something on a state road, so we decided to dedicate a bridge.” Read the Full Article Here  

The Bedford Citizen Posted November 14, 2017 Rep. Ken Gordon joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass two bills to support Massachusetts’ veterans. “This legislation is a small but important step toward showing gratitude for the sacrifice of our veterans,” said Rep. Gordon. “I am immensely proud that Massachusetts ranks first in the nation when it comes to military-benefit programs and services,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said. “This legislation sends a message to our heroes and their families that we appreciate their bravery, sacrifice, and service. While these two bills are small steps, the House is continuing its work in providing critical and well-deserved supports.” Under legislation passed by the House, every municipality in the Commonwealth will now designate one parking space at its town or city hall as “veterans-only parking.” The House also took action to enable municipalities to more easily collect donations for their Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Celebration Funds. This legislation allows cities and towns to include a check-off box on municipal tax or motor vehicle excise tax bills through which residents can pledge donations to be used for the creation and restoration of monuments and other activities that honor the contributions and sacrifices of local veteran Read the Full Article Here

Wicked Local Burlington Posted November 8, 2017 State Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford, led a group of 125 state legislators who have signed onto bipartisan testimony calling for the passage of legislation to permanently protect consumers and the environment from risks associated with gas pipeline expansion. Though now suspended, Kinder Morgan’s Northeast Energy Direct pipeline and Enbridge’s Access Northeast proposal each threatened conservation efforts, private property and Massachusetts’ climate goals. In 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled the project’s primary financial mechanism, a “pipeline tax” on electric ratepayers, was illegal and placed consumers with a significant burden that would otherwise be borne by investors. Pipeline proponents are currently seeking to amend Massachusetts law to enable the pipeline tax. A House letter circulated by Gordon; state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington; and Minority Leader Bradley Jones, R-North Reading, garnered 100 signatures, while a concurrent Senate letter circulated by state Sens. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, and Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, has 20 signers. “It’s very simple, ratepayers should not be forced to assume the financial responsibility and environmental risk associated with paying for pipelines that a majority of our constituents do not want,” said Gordon. Read Full Article Here