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S 2107

Relates to electronic signatures on the form MV-82, application for registration/title

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Cooney and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires state contracts with large vendors to employ up to 10% individuals with disabilities within a year, with support services to assist them.

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Bill Summary · S 2107

Summary — S.2107 (Senate Docket No. 1941) — "Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act of 2025" (POST Act)

Note on sources and inconsistencies: the supplied metadata contains conflicting titles, sponsor lists, committees, and dates. This summary is based on the bill text filed as Massachusetts Senate No. 2107 (filed 1/17/2025) introduced by Senator Nick Collins and titled “An Act relative to the employment of persons with disabilities.” Procedural history in the source materials is inconsistent; a later committee report (7/24/2025) is also listed. Where metadata conflicted with the bill text, the substance of the bill text was used.

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to increase employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities by requiring that certain vendors performing state- or municipally-funded contracted services employ people with disabilities as part of their workforce for those contracts. It also charges state agencies with implementing and supporting this hiring goal.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 38Q to Chapter 7 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Applicability: Contracts for services that receive appropriated funds from the Massachusetts Legislature and are awarded to companies that employ a minimum of 75 full‑time equivalents (FTEs).
  • Hiring target: Contracts must “employ up to 10% of individuals with disabilities hired within such contract.” (The language is ambiguous — see “Questions/ambiguities” below.)
  • Implementation and oversight: The Supplier Diversity Office, in consultation with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, will implement and regulate the law.
  • Employment supports: Those agencies must arrange employment support services for hired individuals with disabilities through nonprofit employment providers across the Commonwealth.
  • Covered services: Examples include janitorial/custodial, landscaping, mailroom, food services, fleet management, manufacturing, trash removal, document destruction, call centers, electronic scanning, HVAC, painting, emergency repair services, and snow removal.
  • Definition: Provides an extensive definition of “individual with a disability,” listing many medical and developmental conditions and describing functional limitations and vocational rehabilitation needs.
  • Timing and worker protection: The percentage requirement must be met within one year of contract award, and steps must be taken to “minimize displacement” of existing workers providing the contracted services.

Who is affected

  • Vendors/contractors that hold state or municipally‑funded service contracts and have ≥75 FTEs.
  • People with disabilities seeking employment — expected increase in targeted hiring and access to employment supports.
  • State agencies (Supplier Diversity Office, disability-related agencies) — increased administrative and program responsibilities.
  • Potentially existing workers in contracted roles (the bill requires minimizing displacement).

Implementation, enforcement, and open questions

  • The bill vests regulatory authority in state agencies but does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or funding for the required supports.
  • The phrase “employ up to 10%” is unclear (it could be read as a maximum rather than a minimum target); the intent appears to be a hiring quota but would likely require drafting clarification.
  • Fiscal impacts (costs for supports, agency administration, monitoring) are not detailed in the text.
  • Timeline: the bill requires compliance within one year after contract award.

Potential impact

If implemented and funded, the bill could expand employment for people with significant disabilities in common service sectors, create demand for supported employment providers, and shift contracting practices. Ambiguities in wording and lack of enforcement/funding details would need resolution to ensure predictable and equitable implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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