As you may know, the first year of the two-year legislative session ended recently. After what has been a rough budget season, filled with layoffs and budget cuts, we are reminded that the DCF Chapter of Local 509 still has some bills out there. I would like to take this time to update everyone on the status of these bills, all of which were filed by our good friend, Representative James O’Day of Worcester.

House 2550 – “Group 2” – co-sponsored by Representatives James Dwyer (30th Middlesex) and David B Sullivan (6th Bristol)

Currently in the Joint Committee on Public Service. All DCF Chapter Local 509 members should have gotten an email sent to their home email addresses, asking folks to send a request to their state elected officials that they sign on to a letter of support for the bill, written by James O’Day. So far, we have 40-plus state representatives who have signed on to support the bill.

If you did not get the email about Rep. O’Day’s letter, please contact your state Representative NOW and ask that they sign on to his letter.

Over the coming weeks, we will be taking additional steps to move the bill forward.

We recently hosted Rep. Robert Spellane of Worcester (House Chairman of the Committee on Public Service) and representative from Rep. O’Day’s office at the Worcester Regional office. At this lunch-time meeting, 509 members were able to tell their stories about why we deserve to be in Group 2. The event went extremely well, and extra special thanks goes out to the members who bravely told their personal stories about the job and to Central Region Vice President Joe Manna for setting the event up. We hope to duplicate this event in other DCF offices throughout the state. Stay tuned for more updates.

House Bill 162 – An Act Relative to Family Networks co-sponsored by Mary Grant (6th Essex) and James Dwyer

This bill would essentially move all the money that funds family networks into accounts to pay for social worker salaries and other things needed to do the work that we do. This bill was recently reported FAVORABLY out of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The bill has now moved to House Ways and Means.

House Bill 163 – An Act to Establish Caseloads at DCF - co-sponsored by Rep. James Dwyer, Barbara L’Italien (18th Essex), and David B Sullivan.

This bill would require that the social worker account be funded at such a level to hire enough social workers to maintain caseloads consistent with CWLA standards. This bill was recently reported FAVORABLY out of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The bill has now moved to House Ways and Means.

House Bill 1554 – An Act Protecting Public Employees - co-sponsored by James Dwyer

This bill would increase the penalties for assaulting a DCF worker who is on the job. This bill is currently in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

House Bill 2549 – An Act to Protect Social Workers – Co-sponsored by James Dwyer, Barbara L’Italien, and David B Sullivan

This bill would give DCF workers who are injured on the job the same rights and protections now afforded to probation officers. Currently, if a DCF worker has to go out on worker’s compensation because of an injury on the job, they are entitled to only 60% of their pay. Probation officers get 100%. When this bill passes, we will get the same 100% of out pay on workers’ compensation that Probation now enjoys.


So, while we continue to look at a very bleak budget picture, please know that these bills are alive and well, and we are working on each of them. Keep posted for the next steps that we will need you all to take to move these bills forward. Questions? Comments? Email me at dsslawerence@509seiu.com