We are absolutely thrilled to share that language drafted and championed by The Arc has been officially included in the PROTECT Act conference committee report!
The PROTECT Act is a vital bill designed to safeguard immigrant communities in Massachusetts by restricting civil arrests in sensitive locations, including state courts, childcare facilities, public schools, and health care providers.
During the Senate debate, we successfully secured an amendment to add DDS-licensed and MassHealth Day Habilitation facilities to this list of protected spaces—and that critical addition made it into the final conference committee report. We anticipate the bill will move to the Governor’s desk for her signature this week.
This advocacy effort was born from the genuine concerns and anxiety voiced by families regarding ICE targeting immigrant members of our workforce. While all members of our workforce are legally authorized to work, we know (now that TPS authorization has been revoked, there could be targeted arrests) and that immigrants have frequently faced indiscriminate targeting.
While our provider community is resilient and prepared, this amendment provides them with essential, added tools and support. More importantly, it offers individuals and families the security of an extra layer of protection, safeguarding a key segment of our workforce and community members while they are on the job.
Following the devastating and cruel TPS revocation, secure spaces like these are more important now than ever before.
A massive thank you to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for your leadership on this bill, and to Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier who championed the disability services language. Thank you to conferees Representative Daniel Cahill, Senator Cindy Friedman, Representative Andy Vargas, Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Marcus Vaughn, and Senator Ryan Fattman for your incredible work.
