Minors in the Workplace

Vote to Protect Minors in the Workplace

 

State Representative Barbara L’Italien voted in favor of legislation strengthening protections to all
Massachusetts children, under the age of 18, in the workplace.

 

Facts of the bill are as follows:

• Took steps to further streamline the child work permit process.
• Strengthens Massachusetts child labor laws.
• Strengthens the enforcement authority of the Attorney General’s Office by allowing him to fine employers who violate the Child Labor Laws through a civil process.  First offenses would cost $500; second offenses, $1,000; and subsequent offenses, $5,000.
• Extends working hours for all 16 and 17 year olds, from 10 PM to 11:30 PM on non-school nights.
• Requires that teens working after 8 PM have an adult supervisor, and prohibits minors from working in jobs that require them to carry a firearm.
• Reorganizes the work permit application process by requiring each child under the age of 18 to obtain an employment permit from their local school superintendent.

 

This was the first time since the 1930’s that the Legislature significantly reformed Child Labor statutes.

Representatives Support Health & Human Services Salary Reserve

Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) and Representative David Torrisi (D-North Andover) announced today that the House of Representatives unanimously overrode Governor Romney’s veto of line item 1599-6901, Health & Human Services Salary Reserve. The provision will provide $20 million to increase the salaries of approximately 30,000 health care and human service workers across the Commonwealth.

Representative L’Italien stated: “I am thrilled that the House of Representatives stepped forward to provide direct care workers with a modest salary increase in order to help retain and attract qualified workers. As a former direct care worker and home care case manager I know first hand the hard work and dedication exhibited by these individuals.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts contracts a majority of community-based social and human service programs to non-profit vendors. Human service contracted employees on average are paid lower wages than state workers. “Direct care workers reside in our communities serving our children, our disabled, and our elderly. These workers deserve wage parity,” stated Representative Torrisi.

The salary reserve was put in place in 1990’s to address historically low salaries for direct care workers that service Executive Office of Health and Human Services clients. Under the terms of the FY 2005 budget, $10 million of the $20 million would be allocated to increase compensation for personnel earning $25,000 or less. The remaining $10 million would be allocated to increase compensation for personnel with current earnings between $25,001 and $40,000.

“The actions of the Legislature demonstrate our commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of underpaid direct care workers, while also mitigating high turnover of staff,” said Representative Torrisi.

Governor Romney’s budget proposal did not contain any money for the salary reserve. Both the House and Senate included the $20 million funding level for the reserve in their final budgets and preserved the allocation in the conference final document. Governor Romney vetoed the reserve last month.

“Overriding Governor Romney’s veto will help bring continuity and stability to an industry that is increasingly finding it difficult to provide services to those individuals most in need,“ concluded Representative L’Italien.

Bipartisan Effort Expands Community Care For Elders

Representatives Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) and Barry Finegold (D-Andover) announced yesterday that the House unanimously approved Medicaid reforms that will help seniors who wish to remain in their communities and stay out of nursing homes. Implementation of the proposed change in Medicaid eligibility is expected to save the state at least $12 million annually by expanding the home and community based waiver program to include elders currently receiving services without any federal matching funds.

The change in waiver rules, originally proposed by Representatives L’Italien and Michael E. Festa (D-Melrose), will allow the state to receive a 50 % federal reimbursement under Medicaid for the 3,200 elders who are now being served entirely at state expense. The plan calls for raising the income eligibility level from $769 a month, to $1,656 per month (300% of SSI).

“This change is designed to remove the institutional biases that may unnecessarily push seniors toward institutionalization,” Representative L’Italien declared. “It is a good day for the people of Massachusetts when we can move forward in terms of addressing the needs of our elder population while at the same time securing much needed funds to serve this population,” she added.

Massachusetts currently ranks 6th in the nation for Medicaid members over the age of 65 who are in nursing homes. This measure will shift the focus of care from the current over-reliance on institutions to the community.

“This is a win-win situation,” stated Representative Finegold. “We have found the best solution for both seniors and taxpayers.”

Al Norman, Executive Director of Mass Home Care, commended the House for this success in expanding community care.

Jack Hall, representative for Mass Home Care, stated: “We are very grateful for the hard work of the Legislature on this important issue. This is a huge win for seniors.”

This program will not expand unless the federal government approves the waiver first, thereby ensuring cost savings. The measure now moves to the Senate where Legislators expect to act on it by the end of next week.

Merrimack Valley Legislators Call for Equity in Funds

Representative L’Italien led the fight for a more equitable distribution of funds for the Connecting Activities Program in the Merrimack Valley. The program, which helps students gain employment experience and improve MCAS scores, was disproportionately funded in comparison with similar programs across the state.

Haverhill- Led by State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover), the Merrimack Valley Legislative Delegation sent a letter to Commissioner of Education David Driscoll requesting that he make funding for the $4.1 million Connecting Activities program more equitable.

The state allocated significantly less funding for the program in the Merrimack Valley in comparison with similar regions across the state. Of the sixteen regions, Hampden County is the closest demographically to the Merrimack Valley. The two regions have similar dropout rates, English proficiency and number of students transitioning to the workforce. However, Hampden County was funded at $349,056 while the Merrimack Valley received just $46,359.

Representative L’Italien said, “Due to this disproportionate funding by DOE, services in the Merrimack Valley will be severely impaired and expansions planned for FY05 into areas such as Georgetown and Methuen will be impossible. We are awaiting an answer from the Commissioner as to why these disparities exist and how we can begin to correct them.”

The Connecting Activities program provides work experience connected to classroom education that has proven effective at both keeping students in school and raising MCAS scores. Without this program various local school-to-career activities that connect high school youth with employers who offer work experience would not exist. These programs are essential in helping students who choose not to further their education beyond high school to enter the workforce with the experience and motivation necessary for success.

Locally administered through the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board, the program has proved successful despite years of declining revenue.

Rep. L’Italien declared, “We should be helping to grow these programs which have proven themselves to be beneficial to both students and the community. For some students who would otherwise slip through the cracks this offers up the opportunity to work with local businesses and gain the skills necessary for a successful career.”