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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1153
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Brendan P. Crighton
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act protecting the right to time off for voting.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Brendan P. CrightonThird Essex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 897 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1153
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1153) of Brendan P. Crighton for
legislation to protect the right to time off for voting. Labor and Workforce Development.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act protecting the right to time off for voting.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 178 of Chapter 149 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
2amended by striking said section and inserting in place thereof the following: -
3 Section 178. Every employer shall allow sufficient time for a person under his or her
4employ to exercise their right to vote in a state or municipal election in the Commonwealth. If a
5voter does not have sufficient time outside of working hours to vote during an election or
6designated early voting period, the voter may, without loss of pay, take off enough working time
7that, when added to the voting time available outside of working hours, will enable the voter to
8vote, provided the employee gives the employer at least 3 days notice.
9 The time off for voting shall be only at the beginning or end of the regular working shift,
10whichever allows the most free time for voting and the least time off from the regular working
11shift, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
12 SECTION 2. Said Chapter 149 is further amended by adding the following new sections: 2 of 2
13 Section 178(a). Every employer subject to this section shall post in a conspicuous place,
14or via electronic communication, a notice prepared and disseminated by the Secretary of the
15Commonwealth, containing such relevant information as the Secretary deems necessary to
16explain the section.
17 Section 178(b). Any employer who refuses to comply with the provisions of section one
18hundred seventy-eight regarding time off to vote shall be punished by providing an aggrieved
19voter under his or her employ a full day’s pay.
20 Enforcement of this section will be under the purview and supervision of the Fair Labor
21Division of the Attorney General’s Office.