Posted in: Press Releases on 02/26/2010 | No Comments
Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) is pleased to announce a new plan launched by the Massachusetts Health Connector to help small businesses better cope with the escalating cost of health insurance.
“Small businesses have been among the hardest hit in this down economy,” said Representative Atkins. “The elimination of membership fees that small businesses historically face for such a plan and reduction of administrative costs is welcomed news.”
Read More »
Posted in: Press Releases on 02/16/2010 | No Comments
Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord, first from left, second row) poses with her fellow legislators in support of Go Red For Women February 2nd at the Massachusetts State House. Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s campaign to raise awareness among women about heart disease, which kills one woman a minute. In fact, heart disease kills more women than the next five leading causes of death combined—including all forms of cancer. In addition, the direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular diseases in the U.S., including stroke, averages $475.3 billion annually.
Read More »
Concord Journal
Gov. Deval Patrick signs into law ‘An Act Relative to Harassment Prevention Orders’ last week. State Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord, was a lead sponsor of the bill.
Posted Feb 15, 2010 @ 02:41 PM
Boston —
State Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord, announced that on Feb. 9, Gov. Deval Patrick signed “An Act Relative to Harassment Prevention Orders,” which will fill an important gap in Massachusetts restraining order law and promises to provide much needed protection for victims of stalking, abuse and sexual assault.
“For too long advocacy groups for survivors have had to tell victims fearful for their safety that there is no legal recourse for them in Massachusetts,” said Atkins, the lead sponsor in the House. “This bill will finally remedy that problem.”
Previously Massachusetts law only afforded victims of abuse the right to petition for a civil protection order if the perpetrator was a family member, roommate, current or former spouse, or a person with whom the victim had a substantial dating relationship. Victims of abuse or harassment now have the right to petition for a protection order with criminal consequences regardless of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim.
Read More »
State Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that prohibits texting while driving, disallows cell phone use unless the driver uses a hands-free device, disallows all cell phone use for junior drivers, and requires vision testing every five years beginning at a driver’s seventy-fifth birthday.
“The practical alternative to holding a cell phone while driving is using a hands-free device,” said Representative Atkins. “I am so delighted that we broadened the original bill by banning the use of handheld cell phones by all Massachusetts drivers, not just junior drivers. This bill mirrors a piece of legislation I filed at the request of voters from Concord Town Meeting in 2007. It will help to create safer roads and clearer enforceability.” Violators of the handheld cell phone ban or the text messaging ban would face a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for any subsequent offense.
Read More »
