Priority bills address animal protection, sexual violence and abuse prevention
BOSTON – As the Legislature rounds out the second month of the new legislative session, Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) announced that he has filed more than 80 bills to pursue a diverse range of policy initiatives. Chief among them are bills that would help prevent abuse of persons with disabilities, deter the illegal harming of wildlife and curb college campus sexual violence.
“The start of a new session is always an exciting time that includes crafting a legislative agenda and filing bills with the hope of ushering them through to the Governor's desk,” said Senator Moore. “I am proud to work toward advancing legislation that responds to the needs of local residents while also tackling overarching issues facing our Commonwealth as a whole.”
In an effort to protect persons with disabilities, Senator Moore filed legislation that would establish an abuse registry within the Department of Developmental Services. The registry would identify individuals who have been found to have committed abuse against disabled persons in an effort to screen prospective employees who intend to work within the licensed caretaker field. The bill, SD.583, resembles protections already enacted in other states across the country.
Senator Moore, who serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, also re-filed legislation, SD.871, to prevent sexual violence on college campuses. The comprehensive bill, which advanced through the Senate last session and ultimately did not receive a vote by the House of Representatives, would codify and compliment federal requirements, and establish new state-level policies for all higher education institutions in the Commonwealth.
As a former Environmental Police Officer, Senator Moore has also recognized that existing anti-poaching laws have remained widely unchanged since the 1930s. As such, he has re-filed legislation that would address the illegal harming or killing of wildlife. The legislation elevates existing penalties for individuals convicted of illegally harming or killing wildlife. The bill, SD.654, also requires the Commonwealth to enter into a nationwide law enforcement network known as the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Massachusetts remains one of only four nonmember states and the only northeast state that does not participate. The Compact allows for reciprocity with other states for the purpose of license suspensions to prevent wildlife violators who have lost their hunting, trapping or fishing privileges from circumventing license revocations.
In the coming weeks, legislation filed during the 2017-2018 legislative session will be referred to legislative committees for review. Additional information regarding bills filed by Senator Moore is available below: