Former State Senate President; Democratic Challenger MA Governor
Strengthen assault laws to focus on domestic violence
In recognition that there was a gap in criminal statutes, Tom and the Senate passed a law to create the crime of “aggravated assault.” Prior to that law, there was no crime between simple assault and battery and felony assault.
This was particularly problematic for prosecuting cases of domestic violence. The District Attorney’s Association and the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance supported the bill and the new criminal category is now on the books.
Source: Campaign web site, TomBirmingham.org
Nov 24, 2001
Treat as crimes domestic stalking and harassment
The terrors visited upon stalking victims were a somewhat new challenge for the police and district attorneys to confront. The Senate responded with a new law that gives stalking victims the same
protections as victims of domestic violence, including the ability to obtain a restraining order and the imposition of jail time and a fine if its violated, and adds criminal harassment to the definition of stalking.
Source: Campaign web site, TomBirmingham.org
Nov 24, 2001
Small Necessities Leave Act: 24 hours off per year
Birmingham wrote and championed the new “Small Necessities Leave Act” that today guarantees workers at firms of 50 or more employees the right to take off 24 hours a year to participate in activities at their child’s school,
or accompany kids or parents to medical appointments, including nursing home visits.
Source: Campaign web site, TomBirmingham.org
Nov 24, 2001
Paid leave for new parents
Tom is fighting for paid family leave. Federal and state law requires many employers to provide time off for new parents, but does nothing to provide income for those parents. Tom has proposed having the state pay new parents on leave the same benefits
they would receive if they lost a job and were unemployed. This program could help thousands of new parents to be able to afford to spend more time with their children during the crucial first few weeks of those children’s lives.
Source: Campaign web site, TomBirmingham.org
Nov 24, 2001
