An Act prohibiting the participation of health care professionals in the torture and abuse of prisoners

Previous presidential administrations, in their legal memoranda describing protocols for the torture of detainees and prisoners, relied heavily on the participation and influence of health care professionals with professional obligations determined by state laws.  This legislation is based on and, if passed, would give effect to the international treaties, standards and federal laws defining torture as well as the professional ethical standards of health care professionals defining torture and abuse. This legislation will protect the professionalism of Massachusetts-licensed health care professionals by authorizing and obligating them to refuse to participate in torture and abusive treatment of prisoners.

An Act restoring enforcement of civil rights

This bill will restore the right of victims of discrimination to seek redress in a state court.  Prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Alexander v. Sandoval in 2001, individuals in the Commonwealth had the right to seek redress under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for policies that had unintentional discriminatory effect.  This bill would restore that right for individuals seeking justice in state courts.