[Massachusetts-NFB] Join the MA guide dog group meeting this Sunday at 7:30 PM

[Isabel Rosario]

Good morning everyone!
It’s hard to believe it, but March is already around the corner and the
guide dog group will be holding a meeting this Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 PM.
We will be joined by NAGDU board member Al Elia who will help us figure out
next steps for increasing the penalty for refusing a guide dog team. Below
are his thoughts Followed by the zoom details for the meeting. Please be
sure to read his thoughts and come with questions/comments. I look forward
to seeing you all there.

At the moment, the fine for refusing a guide dog is $100 to $300 and the
fine for otherwise discriminating against a blind person is $300 to $2500.
Only the latter is a misdemeanor subject to imprisonment. On the other
hand, the former allows for collection of the fines/damages from multiple
parties for a single violation, whereas the latter does not. I advise
against trying to elevate disrimination to a felony for several reasons.
I’d instead focus on making provisions for rideshare companies specifically
that impose larger fines on them than on individuals under certain
circumstances, and possibly raising the fines for individuals to be closer
to those imposed for other types of discrimination. I have thoughts on both
of these. The relevant statutes are MGLC 272 §§ 98 , Link, and 98A

Join Zoom Meeting


https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/95988295663?pwd=DbPBuyBa91Sa7f3IVOcA5G916u5qtY.1



Meeting ID: 959 8829 5663

Passcode: 2024



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Meeting ID: 959 8829 5663




Best regards,
Isabel Rosario
secretary| Massachusetts Association of blind students
203-993-3045
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