Strategies for Action

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 07/24/2022 - 19:06

Alas, as the Beacon Hill legislative rushes to an end this week, we see no chance for action on bullying and mobbing. Early in the next session, we will work with our legislative partners to pass a strong bill to establish an ombuds office. We are determined to provide protection for elderly and disabled tenants of all public and subsidized housing, including assured accountability for irresponsible landlords.

In parallel, I will explore other actions to achieve our goals.

The Attorney General is empowered to act by law to protect the rights of a victim of bullying and mobbing, including under the authority of MGL c.12 Section c. 12, §§ 11H-J and M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(4A).2 .]

I have written to each of the four candidates for Attorney General to ask for their views on this power and will report on their responses. The candidates are:

  • Andrea Campbell, former president of the Boston City Council and candidate for mayor of Boston in 2021 (D)

  • Shannon Liss-Riordan, labor attorney and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 (D)

  • Quentin Palfrey, former deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2018 (D

  • Jay McMahon is a trial attorney and lifelong Cape Cod resident. He served in law enforcement during the 1970s and has over 12 years of corporate management experience. (R)

I have also begun to explore the possibility of establishing and funding our efforts as a non-profit organization with the capacity to support attorneys to represent tenants in defense of their rights. This is a heavy lift but can be the basis for a broad national coalition.

 

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