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Federal Legislation News

S 880 / HR 2062 – Protecting Older Americans Against Discrimination Act (POWADA)

Federal Bills S 880 and HR 2062 support the Dignity Alliance MA Goal 3 – Home and Community-Based Supports and Services improvement and expansion of opportunities. DAM has endorsed this legislation.

Enacting POWADA would restore critical protections in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and make it easier for employees to prove when they are a victim of age discrimination in the workplace. Older adults in Massachusetts are working longer and are experiencing age discrimination. Since the U. S. Supreme Court in a 2009 case (Gross v. FBI Financial Services Inc.) it has been more difficult for older workers to prove claims of illegal bias based on age. Senate Bill 880 and House Bill 2062 would restore longstanding protections for workers age 40 and older that had been in place since the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967.

Dignity Alliance Massachusetts is dedicated to transformative change to ensure the dignity of older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. We are committed to advancing new ways of providing long-term services, support, living options, and care, while respecting choice and self-determination. Through education, legislation, regulatory reform, and legal strategies, this mission will become reality throughout the Commonwealth. ). NOTE: The House version of the bill, HR 2062 was approved in the House on June 23, 2021.