Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday, strengthening protections for public transit workers against violence.
After a rise in violence against public workers, some lawmakers, like Senator Nick Collins, are putting their foot down.
"The attacks against transit employees have tripled since 2008, with 634 incidents reported in 2024 alone,” said Collins.
The new legislation would protect public transit workers by expanding current laws on assault and battery against public employees, ensuring they receive similar legal protections as other transit employees.
“Offenders may face jail time, ranging from 90 days to two and a half years, be fined between $500 and $5,000,” said Collins.
In the past, Massachusetts law only gave heightened penalties for perpetrators of assault and battery against public employees such as police officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, and government workers. This bill would add public transit workers to that list.
The bill would also broaden the definition of assault, specifically recognizing that projecting bodily fluids, such as spit or urine, constitutes assault against public workers. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Madison Rogers (@madisonWBZ) reports.