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Urge Your Legislators to Expand Access to Justice in Massachusetts by Supporting the Judiciary IT Bond Bill!

 

Thanks to the swift action of supporters like you, the Judiciary IT Bond bill was reported out of the Judiciary Committee favorably earlier this year! Now, it moves to the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets.

We cannot miss this opportunity to invest in access to justice at an unprecedented scale. Take action today and tell your legislators to support the Judiciary IT Bond bill!

The civil justice system is designed by lawyers and for lawyers, and trying to navigate complex court processes without legal representation can be almost impossible. But for thousands of people facing life-changing challenges like wrongful eviction or crushing debt who cannot afford an attorney, representing themselves is their only option.

In 2019, we issued a report detailing how technology could help solve this crisis. Specifically, we recommended that the Massachusetts Trial Court create a centralized, online legal help center. But because the courts’ IT systems are so out-of-date, technology-based solutions remain out of reach. 

H.4499, the Judiciary IT Bond bill (An Act to Improve and Modernize the Information Technology Systems and Capacities of the Judiciary), would update the Massachusetts Trial Court’s severely outdated IT structure and fund online innovations that can help people successfully advocate for themselves and protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families.

TAKE ACTION

Massachusetts residents shouldn’t need a law degree to avoid catastrophe. By funding these essential and long-overdue technological improvements, the legislature can reduce disparities between wealthy and low-income litigants, ease burdens on working families, provide language access for immigrant and limited English proficient residents, and empower everyone to resolve their civil legal problems – whether they can afford an attorney or not.

We’re one step closer to making access to justice for all a reality, but we need your help to keep the pressure on and make it clear that ensuring fairness in our justice system must be a priority!

The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets is holding a hearing on the Judiciary IT Bond bill TOMORROW at 10 AM. Please take this one-minute action NOW and urge your legislators to support H.4499 by asking the Joint Committee to issue a favorable report for this bill.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Urge Your State Representative to Co-sponsor Budget Amendment #42 and Support Language Access for All!

 

Budget season is in full swing in Massachusetts, and we need you to raise your voice for language access.

Earlier this week, the Massachusetts House released a supplemental budget bill (H.4479) allocating about $1 billion in federal funds. In exciting news, Chairman Antonio Cabral of New Bedford has filed an important amendment in support of language access for immigrant and limited English proficient families!

Please contact your State Representative by 1:00 PM today and tell them: we need to invest in language access for all.

Amendment #42 (Rep. Cabral) would apply $8 million in federal funds to improve the capacity of our public-facing state agencies to meet the critical language access needs of our Commonwealth’s increasingly diverse population. 

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the inability of state agencies to provide desperately needed information and services in languages other than English. As one of the most linguistically diverse states in the country, we must ensure that non-English speaking state residents have equal access to public health information, education, unemployment assistance, healthcare, housing, and other crucial services.

When we invest in language access, our communities are healthier, safer, and stronger. Now, we need to act fast. Please take this one-minute action TODAY before 1:00 PM and urge your State Representative to co-sponsor budget amendment #42.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Urge Your Legislators to Expand Access to Justice and Support the Judiciary IT Bond Bill!

 

The civil justice system is designed by lawyers and for lawyers, which means trying to navigate complex court processes without legal representation can be almost impossible. But thousands of people facing life-changing challenges like wrongful eviction or crushing debt cannot afford an attorney, so representing themselves is their only option.

Contact your legislators and tell them: Massachusetts residents shouldn’t need a law degree to avoid catastrophe. Expand access to justice by supporting the Judiciary IT Bond bill!

Right now, people are continually thrown into the civil justice system on their own and unaware of their fundamental rights. The impact of this can be devastating – sending families spiraling into poverty and upheaval, further disenfranchising our most vulnerable communities, and perpetuating systemic inequities.

In 2019, we issued a report detailing how technology could help solve this crisis. Specifically, we recommended that the Massachusetts Trial Court create a centralized, online legal help center. But because the courts’ IT systems are so out-of-date, technology-based solutions remain out of reach. 

H.1520, the Judiciary IT Bond bill (An Act to Improve and Modernize the Information Technology Systems and Capacities of the Judiciary), would update the Massachusetts Trial Court’s severely outdated IT structure and fund online innovations that can help people successfully advocate for themselves and protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families.

TAKE ACTION

This is an opportunity for Massachusetts to invest in access to justice at an unprecedented level. By funding these essential and long-overdue technological improvements, the legislature can reduce disparities between wealthy and low-income litigants, ease burdens on working families, provide language access for immigrant and limited English proficient residents, and empower everyone to resolve their civil legal problems – whether they can afford an attorney or not.

And as the COVID-19 pandemic has destabilized families and heightened legal needs, this bill is more urgent than ever.

An important deadline is fast approaching: on February 2nd, the legislature will decide which bills from this legislative session move forward and which will not. Please take this one-minute action TODAY and urge your legislators to support H.1520 and ensure the Judiciary Committee issues a favorable report for this bill.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Recruitment Is Open: Seeking Student Participants for a New School Discipline Study

 

Last year, we published a collaborative, data-driven report which found that Black girls in Massachusetts schools are nearly 4 times more likely to be disciplined than their white counterparts.

Now, we’ve brought together a Community Advisory Board – made up of students, educators, advocates, and organizations from around the state – to conduct a new study that will explore the stories behind these statistics, dig deeper into disciplinary disparities, and amplify how we can change current discipline practices to build school environments where all students are safe and supported.

We want to hear from girls of color about their experiences with discipline in Massachusetts schools, and recruitment to participate in this community-led study is OPEN.

We encourage female-identifying students of color who have experienced suspension, expulsion, or a school-related arrest to take this brief survey to see if you qualify to be a part of this research study. 

Learn More About The Study
Take The Survey Now

Girls who participate in the study will be compensated and receive $25/hour.

Please share this opportunity with your networks, and reach out to Melanie Rush, Research and Policy Associate, at melanie@massappleseed.org if you have any questions.

 

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Take Action: Ask Your Legislators to Support The Young Student Exclusion Ban Act!

 

The Massachusetts Legislature is preparing to break for the holidays soon. But before that happens, we have an exciting opportunity to move the Young Student Exclusion Ban Act forward and eliminate harsh disciplinary policies that fuel the school-to-prison pipeline.

This bill is scheduled for a legislative hearing next week – which means we have just a few days to consolidate as much support behind it as we can. Contact your legislators and tell them: our youngest children belong in class where they are safe, supported, and available for learning.

The Young Student Exclusion Ban Act (H.3876) aims to improve educational outcomes by replacing the use of exclusionary discipline in response to minor offenses by students in pre-K through 3rd grade with effective, alternative approaches like restorative practices, mediation, and other forms of conflict resolution. As young students return to school from traumatic experiences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to ensure they remain in the classroom where they can get back on track.

TAKE ACTION

Excluding students from the classroom at an early age makes it increasingly likely they will experience expulsion or suspension in later grades, contributing to poor academic performance, failure to graduate on time, or even dropping out altogether. 

And with Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged disproportionately more likely to experience exclusionary discipline at an early age, the Young Student Exclusion Ban Act will help address long-standing inequities and opportunity gaps in education.

We need to make sure this bill has strong support heading into next week’s hearing, but that can only happen with your help. Please take this one-minute action today and urge your legislators to support the Young Student Exclusion Ban Act!

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Contact Your Senator Today to Provide Critical Funding for Students, Youth Experiencing Homelessness, and Renters Facing Eviction

Just a few weeks ago, the House debated hundreds of amendments to determine how to allocate funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus funds from last fiscal year. And with your help, several significant amendments were included – prioritizing BIPOC youth and youth experiencing homelessness and addressing barriers to education for low-income students.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn and we have another chance to fight for the inclusion of essential initiatives to ensure Massachusetts’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is equitable, sustainable, and centered on families and youth who have been hit hardest during this devastating time.

Last Wednesday, the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means (SWM) released S.2564, their own document to allocate ARPA and surplus funds. Senators had until Friday afternoon to submit amendments to that proposal, and the full Senate will be debating and voting on those amendments TOMORROW (November 10th).

This is an unprecedented opportunity to advance social justice and invest in the systemic solutions our communities deserve. 

Please reach out to your Senator now and ask them to include key funding initiatives in S.2564 that support students, youth experiencing homelessness, and renters facing eviction.

Amendments We Support:

Amendment #32 “Youth Employment”: Sponsored by Senator Eldridge, this amendment would allocate $50 million to support employment programs for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, including programs that serve LGBTQ+ and questioning youth and youth of color. This investment would empower an estimated 10,000 young people with jobs and pathways to career success. Click here for more information about this amendment from our advocacy partner Breaktime.

Amendment #257 “MLAC”: Sponsored by Senator DiDomenico, this amendment includes funding for the Housing and Eviction Representation program and the Right to High-Quality Education for All Students program. Use this form to urge your State Senator to support Amendment #257!
  • The amendment would provide $12.4 million for one year of temporary funding for the Housing and Eviction Representation program to provide housing stability and homelessness prevention to those at risk of eviction. This program would make tenants and owner occupants whose incomes are below 80% of the Area Median Income eligible for free legal representation.
  • The Right to High-Quality Education for All Students program would allocate $1.9 million to address barriers to fair, equitable, and high-quality education for low-income students across Massachusetts. 
  • The amendment would also provide $3.9 million to fund two programs providing legal help and benefits to low-income and vulnerable families in medical and family settings.

Amendment #422 “Trained and Qualified School Interpreters Workforce Development”: Sponsored by Senator Crighton, this amendment would allocate $4 million over 5 years to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to build a statewide system of trained and qualified school interpreters. This includes providing statewide training and assessment for 1,100 bilingual school staff to become qualified school interpreters. Click here for more information about this amendment.

Amendment #439 “School Meals”: Sponsored by Senator DiDomenico, this amendment would extend universal free school breakfast and lunch at higher need school districts through the 2024-2025 school year. The amendment would also eliminate meal costs for families that qualify for reduced-price lunch in all eligible school districts where at least 40% of students are in families that already participate in food assistance programs like SNAP.

Amendment #457 “Community College Campus Hunger Pilot Program”: Sponsored by Senator Lovely, this amendment would allocate at least $2.7 million to establish the Massachusetts Community College Campus Hunger Program. Applying community colleges would be able to utilize program funds to combat student hunger and food insecurity through meal cards, meal vouchers, meal plans, and other campus-designed projects.

Amendment #458 “Hunger-Free Campus Initiative”: Sponsored by Senator Chandler, this amendment would allocate at least $1 million to the Department of Higher Education to create the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. This program would distribute grants to public colleges and universities to combat student hunger through increased access to federal nutrition program benefits, to create meal swipe exchange programs, and to maximize access to on-campus or local food pantries. Program funds would also be utilized to create Hunger-Free Campus Task Forces on public college and university campuses that emphasize student participation and input to tackle food insecurity.

Time is of the essence. Please reach out to your State Senator to help us pass these amendments! 

What You Can Do

  • Contact your Senator TODAY and ask them to co-sponsor Amendments #32, #257, #422, #439, #457, and #458 to S.2564.
  • Because elected officials get a lot of emails, follow up with a phone call to ask whether the Senator will co-sponsor Amendments #32, #257, #422, #439, #457, and #458 to S.2564.
  • Click here to find your Senator’s email and phone number.

The next 24 hours are critical so please contact your State Senator NOW.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Contact Your Representative Today to Provide Critical Funding for Students, Youth Experiencing Homelessness, and Renters Facing Eviction

On Monday, the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means (HWM) released House Bill 4219, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, a bill to allocate funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and surplus state funds from last fiscal year. Representatives had until yesterday afternoon to submit amendments to that proposal, and TOMORROW (Thursday), the full House of Representatives will be debating and voting on those amendments.

This is an unprecedented opportunity to advance social justice and right the systemic wrongs that have gone unaddressed for too long. 

Please reach out to your State Representative NOW and ask them to include key funding initiatives in H.4219 that support students, youth experiencing homelessness, and renters facing eviction.

Amendments We Support:

Amendment #1031 “Mass ID”: Sponsored by Representative O’Day and Representative Khan, this amendment would allocate $200,000 to provide free Mass IDs to people experiencing homelessness, provide staffing resources to the Registry of Motor Vehicles to assist individuals experiencing homelessness to access Mass IDs, and track and report on the impact of the initiative. Removing barriers and easing the process for youth experiencing homelessness to obtain state ID is crucial for them to accomplish a host of everyday tasks and access services that require identification.

Amendment #594 “MLAC”: Sponsored by Chairwoman Balser and Chairman Day, this amendment includes funding for the Right to Counsel in Evictions Program and the Right to High-Quality Education for All Students program.
  • The amendment would provide $78 million for a Housing and Eviction Representation Program to provide housing stability and homelessness prevention to those at risk of eviction. This program would make tenants and owner occupants whose incomes are below 80% of the Area Median Income eligible for free legal representation. Read our testimony in support of Right to Counsel here.
  • The Right to High-Quality Education for All Students program would allocate funds to address barriers to fair, equitable, and high-quality education for low-income students across Massachusetts. 
Amendments #313 “Meeting the Need for 10,000 Jobs for Massachusetts Youth” and #314 “Addressing Technical Omission of Homeless Youth in Line Item 1599-2036”: Sponsored by Representative Elugardo, both of these amendments support employment programs for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
  • Amendment #313 calls for an additional $10 million investment, for a total of $50 million, in youth and young adult employment. This investment would empower an estimated 10,000 young people with jobs and pathways to career success.
  • Amendment #314 would add language into House Bill 4219 about how youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, should be a major focus group of this funding. Click here for more information about these amendments from our advocacy partner Breaktime. 

Time is of the essence. Please reach out to your State Representative to help us pass these amendments! 

What You Can Do

  • Contact your Representative TODAY and ask them to co-sponsor amendments #313, #314, #594, and #1031 to H.4219.
  • Because elected officials get a lot of emails, follow-up with a phone call to ask whether your Representative will co-sponsor amendments #313, #314, #594, and #1031 to H.4219.
  • Click here to find your Representative’s email and phone number.

The next 24 hours are critical so please contact your State Representative NOW.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

Want to stay informed on the latest issues Massachusetts Appleseed is working on?
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Your Legislators Need To Hear From You About Right To Counsel!

In Massachusetts, over 90% of tenants facing eviction are unrepresented, yet 81% of landlords do have legal representation.

This inequitable distribution of power means that thousands of people – disproportionately women, families of color, and families with children – are thrown into Housing Court on their own without any form of legal representation, and are more likely to be forced out of their homes unnecessarily.

There is a common sense solution to this crisis – increase access to attorneys in Housing Court! Legislators are currently debating how to use the increase in federal funding the state has received to address the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to tell your legislators they should set aside ARPA funds for the creation of a Right to Counsel program in Housing Court.

These funding decisions are being made now and the House may debate and vote on a bill as early as this week!

TAKE ACTION
READ OUR TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT

Full legal representation has been shown to make a significant impact on tenants’ ability to remain in their homes. Funding a Right to Counsel program would protect the most vulnerable of our population from homelessness, and the many other debilitating effects of evictions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Massachusetts Appleseed Presents 14th Annual Good Apple Award Honoring Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award.

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – On October 14, 2021, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, with its 14th annual Good Apple Award. Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair and recipient of the 2020 Good Apple Award, was also recognized during the event program following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, Massachusetts Appleseed presents the Good Apple Award to a member of the Massachusetts legal or business community who exemplifies the organization’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. This year’s event was held virtually and raised more than $300,000. The Good Apple Award Reception serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser and provides core funding for the advocacy organization’s work to expand equitable access to justice and opportunity for families and youth.

“Karen sets the very highest bar for members of the legal community – an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of social justice, excellence in the law, and an unwavering belief that we lawyers have an essential role to play in fostering a future where justice is achievable for all,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors. “We were so thrilled to be joined by Karen’s wide circle of colleagues, friends, and family to thank her for all she does, and we ended the evening inspired by her call to action and words of wisdom.”

As Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, Karen Morton leads a team of approximately 180 compliance professionals in 29 countries and economies around the world. During her career at Liberty Mutual, which commenced in 2006, Ms. Morton also served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Litigation and Coverage Group and Vice President and Counsel for Employment, Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Real Estate. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Ms. Morton was an attorney with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. Ms. Morton received her B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, and is a member of the Board for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit agency which serves homeless and at-risk youth. She has also received numerous awards for championing diversity and inclusion.

“The recent pandemic and social justice issues in our country have shown us that there is still much work that needs to be done,” said Ms. Morton. “As legal practitioners, we are uniquely positioned to provide the expertise and support to create real change.”

Wayne Budd, Senior Counsel at Goodwin Procter LLP, introduced Ms. Morton during the event and spoke of her extraordinary leadership, remarking, “Service to the public, seeker of social justice, and a steadfast dedication to assisting in the achievement of fairness and equity have been the hallmarks of her life.”

The event also highlighted one of Massachusetts Appleseed’s key projects, the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a know-your-rights guide designed to help youth experiencing homelessness overcome legal barriers and build safe, stable futures. Made possible through partnerships with numerous community organizations and pro bono partners, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts Appleseed is now delivering know-your-rights trainings to create a stronger legal safety net for vulnerable youth around the state.

“As we work to build pathways out of crisis for families and youth across Massachusetts, it has never been more important to take the time to recognize the leaders in our legal community guiding the way,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Karen’s commitment to building a better, fairer world inspires us every day, and we are so proud to present her with this year’s Good Apple Award.”

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple Award include Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, Senator William “Mo” Cowan, former President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE; and Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments.

Massachusetts Appleseed thanks the many generous supporters of the 14th annual Good Apple Award Reception, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance and Sustainer sponsors WilmerHale, Fidelity Investments, Goodwin Procter LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

Champion Sponsor

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

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Day of Action: Urge Your Representatives to Support An Act to Create Access to Justice!

 

The Massachusetts legislative session is in full swing, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to advance civil rights for Massachusetts residents.

An Act to Create Access to Justice (S.996/H.1792) would restore civil rights protections at the state level that were previously available under federal law, make legal remedies accessible, and protect all vulnerable groups. Check out this fact sheet to learn more.

TAKE ACTION

Today, our goal is to reach as many Massachusetts lawmakers as possible. We need you to raise your voice! Please take this one-minute action today and urge your legislators to co-sponsor and support An Act to Create Access to Justice.

Everyone deserves protection under the law and the ability to seek redress in court.

 

Keep informed & stay involved!

Stay tuned for more opportunities to take action and support Massachusetts families and youth by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Check out our website for our most recent publications and action alerts.

To support our work, please consider giving a donation today.

Thank you for advancing social justice in Massachusetts!

 

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Sign up for our mailing list.

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