We are running out of time! Help us end child marriage in MA

Massachusetts has no minimum age for marriage, girls as young as 14 are being forced to marry much older men.  We can help change this, but we are running out of time!  

The Act to End Child Marriage in MA (H2310/S785) is currently in the Judicial Committee and must be voted out of that committee before February 7, 2018.

Girls who marry as young teens are often trapped in abusive relationships, denied schooling, and are no longer eligible for any of the usual social safety nets provided for other children.

This is a FACT SHEET about the Act End Child Marriage in MA.

We  need your help to keep this legislation alive.

Let your legislators and the members of the Joint Judicial Committee know you support this bill and you want them to act.

Start with your own legislators. 

Please contact your own state senator and state rep, simply tell them you support this legislation and ask them to write a letter asking that this bill be voted out of committee and moved to the floor for a vote of the full legislature. Cape and Islands state senators and house reps contact here, all others find your senators and reps here.

We are all busy, but this is one of those issues that needs many individual voices. We must let our legislators know we are paying attention to this issue.

Email members of the Joint Judicial Committee.

The next step is to email the members of the committee that has the bill, and who, if they don't vote it out of committee will kill the bill.

Below is a sample letter and the email addresses of the Judicial Committee members. It is always better to write a personal note; if it helps copy/paste this letter and make any changes or use as is.
Women's rights are under attack at all levels of government, at the very least, we should be able to establish policies that allow young women and girls here in Massachusetts to reach their full potential.

Thank you for giving your voice to this issue, it really does make a difference.
 

The Joint Committee on the Judiciary:

William Brownsberger  william.brownsberger@masenate.gov  on twitter: @WBrownsberger
Sonia Chang-Diaz sonia.chang-diaz@masenate.gov on twitter: @SoniaChangDiaz ‏
John Keenan john.keenan@masenate.gov on twitter: @SenJohnFKeenan
Cynthia Creem Cynthia.creem@masenate.com on twitter: @cindycreem
Patricia Jehlen patricia.jehlen@masenate.gov on twitter: @senjehlen ‏
Richard Ross richard.ross@masenate.gov on twitter: @SenRichardJRoss
Claire Cronin claire.cronin@mahouse.gov
James Cantwell james.cantwell@mahouse.gov on twitter: @repjimcantwell
Colleen Garry colleen.garry@mahouse.gov on twitter: @RepColleenGarry
Carole Fiola carolefiola@aol.com on twitter: @CaroleFiola
Daniel Hunt daniel.hunt@mahouse.gov on twitter: @RepDanHunt
Michael Day michael.day@mahouse.gov on twitter: @mikeday4rep
Rady Mom rady.mom@mahouse.gov on twitter: @repradymom
Paul Tucker paul.tucker@mahouse.gov on twitter: @PaulTuckerSalem
Bud Williams bud.williams@mahouse.gov on twitter: @BudLWilliams

Sheila Harrington sheila.harrington@mahouse.gov on twitter: @RepHarrington ‏
James Lyons james.lyons@mahouse.gov on twitter: @RepJimLyons ‏

Honorable Members of the Judiciary Committee,

The Act to End Child Marriage in Massachusetts has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee. I ask you to bring it to a vote quickly as possible to assure that it will be brought to the full legislature for this legislative session.

I fully endorse H2310/S785 An Act to End Child Marriage in Massachusetts and am deeply concerned that child marriage poses a wide array of problems both for young girls and the entire constellation of families surrounding them. Early marriage promotes lives fraught with difficulty in accessing educational opportunities, successful earning capacities and increases risks of domestic violence and poverty.

The Massachusetts Legislature has done important work to support protections under the federal Violence Against Women Act and the Massachusetts Domestic Violence Protections and now with this bill Representative Kay Kahn and Senator Harriette Chandler are working to expand the safety net for these young women/girls.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,


AFTER you’ve contacted these legislators, share this post on social media!


If you use twitter, please share your support for these bills, and include any of the members of the committee in your messages: #S785 #H2310. (Note – Twitter should not replace an email, but it is a good way to share your support after you make contact.)

CCICSW REGIONAL OPEN HEARING ON WOMEN’S ISSUES

We want to hear from you! 

REGIONAL HEARING ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON WOMEN’S ISSUES

 The Cape Cod & Islands Commission on The Status of Women The Commission is responsible for studying, reviewing and reporting on the status of women across Cape Cod & the Islands to the State Commission. It is charged with advising our elected officials on the effect of proposed legislation on women.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 5:30-7:30PM 

Cape Cod Community College 

2240 Iyannough Rd.

West Barnstable Science Lecture Hall, Room C

 * Free Parking in Lots 8 or 9 * 

* Light snacks will be provided *

Oral and written testimony* will be accepted. Open to the public.

 *Testimony is simply telling us your story, challenge or concern with regards to issues that affect yourself, family and community. No experience is required to testify. This is a no judgment, safe community that wants to hear your concerns to inform our elected officials of the issues that affect their constituency.

For more information, or to RSVP, email CCICSWInfo@gmail.com 

All are invited to testify If you need a reasonable accommodation to fully participate, please use the above email at least 7 days prior to the hearing. To that end, the Commission conducts regional public hearings to collect testimony and opinions on women’s issues and concerns.

 Please help us get the word out to the women in our communities. Attached is a flyer both as a jpg and a pdf file for you to share. If you have a website, Facebook page, electronic newsletter or other communication tools we would appreciate your assistance to ensure the voices of local women are heard.

People are invited to speak with the Commission in person at the hearing and or submit their thoughts in writing to by email to CCICSWinfo@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE! CCICSW Hearing in November

Cape Cod & Island Commission on the Status of Women will hold a hearing Cape Cod Community College November 15, 5:30pm More details to come, watch this space.

Needs Survey of Cape Cod and Islands Women

The Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women (CCICSW) is conducting a survey of challenges and needs of women on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. 

The survey has been designed to assess the challenges women are facing in our region. The results will help us determine how we can serve as advocates for you and the women in your network.

This is an anonymous and completely confidential survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCICSW-NeedsAssessment-Survey-2017
The survey will be available until September 10.

Please take a minute to visit the survey link and answer the questions, then share the link with your friends, families and networks, we want to reach a wide range of women in our service area.

Thank you for your participation and help with this effort. 

Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women. 

We need YOUR voice! Help move the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act forward for a vote

 

For too many women, a family member’s medical crisis means choosing between a paycheck or being a caregiver.  Sometimes there are no options, no other caregivers are available and the choice is made for them.  And, when a woman gives birth or experiences a medical crisis of her own, the risk of losing a job increases.

CCICSW supports An Act establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program (S.1048 and H. 2172) as part of our our priority legislation. Last year this legislation was voted in by the senate, then never got a vote in the house and essentially died in the house of represenatives. We can’t let that happen this session.
Tuesday, June 13, the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development will hear testimony and vote on whether to move the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act forward for a vote.

We need you to send letters of support to the committee by Monday at noon. 

What to say:
“I am submitting this letter as written testimony for your hearing on An Act establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program (S.1048 and H. 2172.) June 13, 2017.  Please add this letter to that testimony.”
Look at these fact sheets for more about the bill:

• Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
• Fact Sheet Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

Tell your own story – talk about a hardship you experienced that this bill may have prevented.  Talk about what this bill would mean to your security or a family member or people you know.  Or, simply state your support.  Keep it to one page. If you belong to a group, committee, consider asking if you can submit a letter on their behalf, or if you have family or friends who support this act, add their names.

Send it by email – and there is more contact information below if you want to make your letter formal.
The Joint Committee leadership is shared by both house and senate, send to all or to just one of the chairs.

Senate:
Senator Jason M. Lewis, Chair:  Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov
Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, Vice Chair:  Patricia.Jehlen@masenate.gov
Joint Committee on Labor
and Workforce Development
24 Beacon St. Room 511-B
Boston, MA 02133

House:
Paul Brodeur, Chair:  Paul.Brodeur@mahouse.gov
Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Vice Chair:  Tricia.Farley-Bouvier@mahouse.gov
Joint Committee on Labor
and Workforce Development
24 Beacon St. Room 472
Boston, MA 02133

And if you want to help move this bill forward – cc your email to the Speaker of the House Robert.DeLeo@mahouse.gov, and Senate President Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov.

Share this post with anyone who might be interested in getting this bill passed this session, let’s not allow it to die on the house floor this time!

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Help us Bring a Housing Court to Cape Cod and The Islands!

We need your help, we need your voice.

Help us bring a Housing Court to Cape Cod and the Islands!  We need letters of support to go to MA Legislative Budget Conference Committee. You can help us protect women who rent.
(This bill is on CCICSW's priority legislation list for the 2017-2018 legislative session) 


This is an update on the progress of the Housing Court bill, Cape Cod does NOT have a Housing Court, this is important to women:

  The Housing Court is a layer of protection for women who rent. MA has adopted the key provisions of the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and parts are related to issues with landlords. Housing Courts are where women can enforce these protections. The Housing Court has judges and staff with expertise in housing law and who are trained to provide tenants and landlords with a fair court process. Both landlords and tenants can access the resources that only Housing Courts have, including the Tenancy Preservation Program, Lawyer for the Day Programs and Housing Specialists. Homeless can be prevented and municipalities can address serious housing and health code violations efficiently and effectively.

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE:

Housing Court Bill Goes to Budget Conference Committee
On May 25, Senate Ways and Chairwoman Senator Spilka made the case on the Senate floor for statewide housing court expansion and an amendment to strike the housing court from the Senate’s budget because of costs was withdrawn. Housing Court expansion advances to the FY2018 Budget Conference Committee thanks to Senator Spilka’s leadership. Thank you to those who reached out to key leaders, if you haven’t given your input it’s not too late. (Note: Bills are also still pending in the Judiciary Committee.)
Budget Negotiations Start Today, Monday, June 5.

The 6-member Budget Conference Committee is led by Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka: Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov  and House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey: Brian.Dempsey@mahouse.gov. Today, they start negotiations to reconcile the Senate and the House budgets. The other four members are Senators Sal DiDomenico: Sal.DiDomenico@masenate.gov and Vinny deMacedo: Vinny.deMacedo@masenate.gov  and Reps Stephen Kulik: Stephen.Kulik@mahouse.gov and Todd Smola: Todd.Smola@mahouse.gov .
Action Needed This Week – Please Help.

1. Send a letter to the Conference Committee. Use this sample letter or tell your own story.
2. It is critical that leadership gets a copy of your letter. Please “cc” House Speaker DeLeo Robert.DeLeo@mahouse.gov and Senate President Rosenberg  Stan.Rosenberg@masenate.gov
3. If you email your letter to Annette R. Duke, Esq. Housing Attorney, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: ADuke@MLRI.org by Thursday, June 8 at 11 am, she will deliver it to all 8 elected officials that afternoon.
4. Ask your Rep and Senator to contact leadership and convey how much people in their districts want a Housing Court. It is unfair that some have access to a housing court and others do not.

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• Why Massachusetts Needs Housing Courts Statewide Briefing Paper
• Maps – Who Does Not Have a Housing Court and How the Bills Close the Gap
• Why Domestic Violence Advocates Want Housing Courts Statewide

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Welcome New Supporters
Housing Court 4 All Coalition has grown to close to 150 organizations and welcomes:

• Massachusetts Municipal Association
• Watertown Health Department
• Chelsea Fire Fighter Local 937
• Falmouth Human Services
• Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
• Feldman Law, Boston

Please  invite organizations to Join the Growing List of Supporters for Statewide Housing Court.

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Contact Annette R. Duke, Esq. Housing Attorney, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute: ADuke@MLRI.org   with any questions.

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Our 2017-2018 Priority Legislation

Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women

Priority Legislation for the 2017-2018 General Legislative Session 

1.      An Act Advancing Contraceptive Coverage and Economic Security in Our State (ACCESS) (SD939/HD450) Lead Sponsors: Sen. Harriette Chandler, Reps. Patricia Haddad and John W. Scibak This bill would expand health insurance coverage of contraceptives in the Commonwealth.  Under this bill health insurance policies must cover:  all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices or their therapeutically equivalent alternatives, all FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptive drugs and devices, a 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs and devices in a single dispensation, voluntary sterilization procedures, and education and follow-up for any provided contraceptive drugs and devices.  This will improve women’s access to contraceptives throughout the Commonwealth.

2.      End Child Marriage in Massachusetts (S785/H2310) Lead Sponsors: Rep. Kay Khan & Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, Current laws allow marriage of children the age of 18 with no age limitations with parental and judicial consent.  This bill would ban marriage under the age of 18.  Proponents say updating marriage laws, which in many states are more than a century old, will help protect children from being pushed into marriages by parents and predators.

3.      Housing Court Expansion (S946/H.978) Lead Sponsors: Sen. Karen Spilka The Housing Court has judges and staff with expertise in housing law who are trained to provide tenants and landlords with a fair court process. Both landlords and tenants can access the resources that only Housing Courts have, including the Tenancy Preservation Program, Lawyer for the Day Programs and Housing Specialists. Homeless can be prevented and municipalities can address serious housing and health code violations efficiently and effectively.  Over 30 % of the population in MA has no access to housing court that includes all of Cape Cod & the Islands.

4.      An Act Establishing Just Schedules for Employees (SD/846HD3693) Lead Sponsors: Sen. Kenneth Donnelley, Rep. Sean Garballey This bill would establish employee rights to additional payment if they are not given sufficient advance notice of any changes to their work schedule. The bill specifies that if employers make changes to an employee’s schedule within 10 days of a scheduled shift, they are required to pay between one and four additional hours of predictability pay, in addition to wages earned for hours worked. This bill will protect employees of the retail, fast food and hotel industries of the Commonwealth. 

5.      An Act Establishing a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (SD1768/HD2573) Lead Sponsors: Sen. Karen Spilka and Rep. Kenneth Gordon (2016-2017: Engrossed by the Senate – 7/30/16) This bill establishes employee rights to family medical leave or temporary disability leave in the event of the following: the birth of a child of the employee, the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, the necessity of an employee to care for a family member that has been diagnosed with a serious health condition for a period of time. Further, the bill safeguards the position, compensation, status, and benefits of the employee upon return from leave so long as ample notice to the employer is given.

Supported Legislation for the 2017-2018 General Legislative Session

Equitable Coverage in Disability Policies (S545.H482) Lead Sponsors: Rep. Kenneth Gordon and Sen. Spilka  (2016-2017: Engrossed by the Senate – 7/30/16)

This bill establishes employee rights to family medical leave or temporary disability leave in the event of the following: the birth of a child of the employee, the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care, the necessity of an employee to care for a family member that has been diagnosed with a serious health condition for a period of time. Further, the bill safeguards the position, compensation, status, and benefits of the employee upon return from leave so long as ample notice to the employer is given.

Protect Girls from Female Genital Mutilation (S788/HD2873)Lead Sponsors: Rep. Sarah Peake/Sen. Harriette Chandler  Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves removing part or all of a girl’s healthy sex organs and surrounding tissue for non-medical reasons resulting in health consequences, death in childbirth and lifelong trauma. This bill would create a program for education, prevention and outreach for communities that practice FGM, requires mandated reporters to make a 51A report to DCF if a child has suffered from physical or emotional injury resulting from FGM and criminalizes the acts of committing FGM on a child or taking a child in or out of the Commonwealth to commit FGM or to permit another to commute FGM.

this bill passed! Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act  (S1023/H1048) Lead Sponsors: Sen. Joan Lovely and Rep. David Rogers (2016-2017: Reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means - 8/3/15)  This bill provides safeguards for employees with conditions of pregnancy, childbirth, and other related aspects. The bill allots for ‘reasonable accommodations’ to be taken and provided by the employer. These accommodations include but are not limited to: more or frequent breaks, time off to recover from childbirth, acquisition or modification of equipment, seating, temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position, job restructuring, light duty, break time and private non-bathroom space for expressing breast milk, assistance with manual labor, or modified work schedule.

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Members of CCICSW at the State House Advocating for you, May 17.

Join us to Lobby for Women's Rights on Beacon Hill

Join us as we lobby for women May 17, 2017, Women's Advocacy Day at the State House.
No experience necessary!

Details and sign up information here.

From the MA Commission for the Status of Women's website:

Advocacy day is an annual event held by the MCSW to advocate for legislation that advances the rights and opportunities of women. The Commission discusses key findings from the previous year in collaboration with regional commissions, and reports findings collected from public hearings hosted during the year throughout the Commonwealth. Attendees hear from the Commission Chair and regional commission Chairs as well as influential legislators. The event includes time for members of the commission and supporters to visit legislators to discuss priority legislation. The MCSW invites members of the community to attend and participate in Advocacy Day and stand in support of women throughout Massachusetts.
For highlights of Advocacy Day 2015, please see this informative video created by the Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women.

Sign up here.

Join us for Women's Lobby Day on Beacon Hill

Join us as we lobby for women May 17, 2017, Women's Advocacy Day at the State House.
No experience necessary!

Details and sign up information here.

From the MA Commission for the Status of Women's website:

Advocacy day is an annual event held by the MCSW to advocate for legislation that advances the rights and opportunities of women. The Commission discusses key findings from the previous year in collaboration with regional commissions, and reports findings collected from public hearings hosted during the year throughout the Commonwealth. Attendees hear from the Commission Chair and regional commission Chairs as well as influential legislators. The event includes time for members of the commission and supporters to visit legislators to discuss priority legislation. The MCSW invites members of the community to attend and participate in Advocacy Day and stand in support of women throughout Massachusetts.
For highlights of Advocacy Day 2015, please see this informative video created by the Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women.

Sign up here.

It takes more than one day to recognize Equal Pay!

One of the biggest victories the Massachusetts Committee on the Status of Women (MCSW) has celebrated was the passage of the Equal Pay Act last year. The work continues. The MCSW continues to be part of the Mass Equal Pay Coalition as they oversee and remain involved in the implementation of the law.

Until the law is in full force, women's pay overall remains unequal.

Tuesday April 4, is Equal Pay Day, but the issue lives on throughout the year. Tuesday is the day of the week women have to work to, to be paid equal to a man working the previous week. The figure that is thrown around is $.82 to a man's dollar when people talk about the percentage of pay women get compared to a man.

But when you delve into the details, it gets worse.

In MA these are the actual dates women have to work to, to equal a man in the previous year:

• ·         May 1 – White women
• ·         July 31 – African American women
• ·         September 25 – Native American women
• ·         November 2 – Latina women

Here are a few more facts to consider:

In Massachusetts more than 319,000 family households are headed by women. About 26 percent of those families, or 81,755 family households, have incomes that fall below the poverty level. Eliminating the wage gap would provide much-needed income to women whose wages sustain their households.

On average, Massachusetts women who are employed full time lose a combined total of  more than  $11 billion every year due to the wage gap. These women, their families, businesses and the economy suffer as a result. Lost wages mean families have less money to save for the future or to spend on basic goods and services  – spending that helps drive the economy.  If the annual wage gap were eliminated, on average, a working woman in Massachusetts would have enough money for approximately:

• 85 more weeks of food for her family ( nearly two years’ worth);
• Six more months  of  mortgage and utilities payments; 

or

• More than 10 additional  months  of rent. 

It has been a long fight.   The MA Equal Pay Bill is the strongest and most comprehensive law in the country. But it still has to be implemented without changes and regulations that will reduce it's impact on the disparity.  We will keep you posted.

 

You are invited! Free and open to the public, an important panel discussion on Equal Pay

The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy in Partnership with the Massachusetts Coalition for Equal Pay

Invites you to a free educational panel:

  Achieving Equal Pay:

The New Law for Employers, Employees,

and Job Seekers

DATE: Tuesday, March 21, 2017

TIME: 4:00 to 6:00pm

LOCATION:

UMass Boston

Campus Center
Room 3540 (3^rd floor)

100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125

March Meeting Posting

Our next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2017 from 5-7 pm amd will be held at the (Old Jail building) BARNSTABLE COUNTY COMPLEX, 3195 Main St., Barnstable, MA

Reminder: Join us as we welcome the Massachusetts Commission to Wareham!

Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Public Hearing Wareham, MA

Date: February 28, 2017
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location: Wareham Free Library 
 See map below

This is an excellent opportunity to speak to issues that are important to you here on Cape Cod. Testimony isn't just limited to organizations, individuals are welcome too to testify.

 Please click here to RSVP



The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is a state-established body charged with reviewing the status of women in Massachusetts, and offering recommendations regarding policy that would improve access to opportunities and equality.

The Massachusetts Commission is composed of 19 volunteer commissioners, who dedicate their time to assessing the status of women in the Commonwealth and pushing for beneficial legislative changes.

Commissioners are appointed by one of four appointing authorities: the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and the Caucus of Women Legislators.

Our commission, Cape Cod and Islands, is a regional commission, that reports to the State Commission. Many of our commissioners will be in the audience at this hearing. We encourage anyone with issues they want to share with the state commission to come and speak.