Press Release  Governor Healey Signs Bill Protecting Public Transportation Workers from Assault

Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey signed a bill that strengthens protections for public transportation workers. An act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker (H4645)  

expands current laws on assault and battery against public employees to include public transit workers, ensuring they receive similar legal protections as other public employees. 

“Public transportation employees do important work every day to keep our trains and buses moving on time and ensure the safety of all passengers,” said Governor Healey. “They should never be subject to any form of assault simply for doing their jobs. This bill ensures that they have the protections they deserve and will enhance safety for all users of our public transportation system. I’m grateful to the leadership of Chairs Day and Edwards, Senator Collins, Representative McGonagle, our partners in the Legislature and the Carmen’s Union to pass this essential legislation.” 

“The people who operate and support our transit system should be able to show up to work each day without fear of violence,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This law expands critical protections for our workers and helps ensure a safer, more secure environment for everyone who relies on public transportation.” 

“This bill responds to growing concerns from transit agencies and labor advocates about the rising number of attacks on workers, making the passage of this legislation critical,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House remains committed to protecting workers and supporting those who serve the Commonwealth in essential roles. I want to thank Governor Healey for signing this bill into law, as well as Chairman Day, Chairman McGonagle and all my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the importance of this legislation.” 

"Every region of our economy depends on the people who keep the busses and trains humming, and this new law takes a strong step forward in protecting workers who show up every day to do just that," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Our historic investments in transit would mean nothing if not for the people who greet customers, run our transit systems, and ensure the public is safe. I applaud Governor Healey for signing this bill, thank Senator Collins for sponsoring it in the Senate, and look forward to seeing these measures protect transit workers around the state." 

“All transit workers deserve to come to work feeling safe and protected,” said Interim Secretary and General Manager Phillip Eng. “These employees work tirelessly to serve the public, keeping them moving safe and reliably. Transit workers work 365 days a year to ensure that we have a robust transit system that is safe, supporting riders that depend on mass transportation and allowing everyone the option to choose transit. Know that our labor workforce is dedicated, is a part of the communities they serve, and deserve a workplace grounded in respect and security. I want to thank the Legislature and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for expanding Bill H.4645 to recognize transit professionals. The law affirms that they are entitled to the full protections necessary so they in turn can better deliver the best-in-class transit system that the public depends on and deserves.” 

“This is a significant victory for everyone who rides or operates public transit. Our MBTA bus and train operators deserve to be safe on the job and commuters deserve to know that public transportation is safe,” said Jim Evers, President of the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589. “This law will ensure that those who assault public transit workers will be held accountable and that our valued transportation employees are protected. Our transit workers keep Massachusetts moving every day and deserve our utmost respect.” 

“Our transit workers keep Greater Boston moving every day and deserve our utmost respect,” said William Berardino, Vice-President of Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589. “We are thankful that our members and all public transit employees can now go to work knowing that they are respected and protected. The days of assaulting public transportation workers without fear or reprisal must come to an end — and this bill will help immensely to that goal.” 

“Every worker deserves safety on the job, yet so many jobs are inherently dangerous and every year there are workers right here in MA who are injured and/or killed on the job.  We are proud to join thousands of transportation workers across the state to celebrate this new law that will make their essential jobs safer,” said President Massachusetts AFL-CIO Chrissy Lynch. “We thank the state legislature for getting this bill to the Governor’s desk, and we thank the Governor for enthusiastically signing it. We are looking forward to building off of this to create safer working conditions for more frontline and essential workers.” 

Our public transit system runs because of the dedication of workers who show up every day to serve us,” said Representative Michael S. Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “Today the Commonwealth affirms our continued commitment to protect those workers who are essential to the success of our everyday lives. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate and the Governor for their partnership in passing this measure into law.” 

“Today’s signing marks a monumental step in protecting those who keep our commuters moving,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “Transit workers serve on the front lines of our communities every single day, and it is essential that they feel safe, protected, and respected while simply doing their jobs. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to creating a transit system where workers can focus on serving the public without fear of harassment. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Senator Nick Collins for leading on this legislation, Senate Ways and Means for their advocacy, and Senate President Spilka for her support. I’m proud of my colleagues for standing firmly behind this priority, and I’d like to thank Governor Healey for signing these critical protections into law.” 

“Transit workers are among the most essential employees of our Commonwealth, carrying out the steady and often unseen work that allows tens of thousands of people to travel safely and reliably each day. Their commitment keeps our cities moving, even under challenging and unpredictable circumstances,” said Senator Nick Collins. “When the rights and safety of these workers are impinged upon, it is an affront to the invaluable service they provide and the trust the public places in them. We must remain vigilant in safeguarding their wellbeing, as they encounter nearly every facet of public life in this line of work. With the passage of this legislation, strengthening protections and expanding the definition of what constitutes an assault against a transit worker, we are sending a clear message that we do not take their hard work for granted and that we stand firmly behind those who keep our Commonwealth connected. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for making this a priority as well as Governor Maura Healey and MBTA GM Phil Eng for your support for our transit workers.” 

“Our transit workers provide critical services all over the Commonwealth, yet are many times assaulted by the very customers they serve. I have listened to dozens of stories of these workers being stabbed, spit on and threatened and it must stop,” said Representative Joseph McGonagle. “I am so thrilled that the entire legislature has prioritized this important issue. The right to feel safe and supported on the job is just that, a right. I’m also extremely grateful to the brave men and women who came forward to share their stories. Thank you especially to House Speaker Mariano, Chair Day, my colleagues in the Senate and all those who helped get this bill passed, and a big thank you to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll for recognizing the importance of this legislation.” 

Effective January 4, 2026, this bill creates a heightened penalty for perpetrators of assault and battery against public employees. It also adds public transit workers or any transit worker contracted or employed to operate public transit services to the list of public employees subject to this section. The bill also broadens the definition of assault to include the projection of bodily fluids. 

Since taking office, Governor Healey has prioritized improving the safety and reliability of public transportation across the state. She appointed Phil Eng as General Manager of the MBTA who has overseen a transformative period, eliminating all subway speed restrictions for the first time in over 20 years, modernizing signal systems and hiring thousands of workers. Governor Healey the Legislature have also invested record funding in the MBTA, regional transit authorities, roads and bridges across the state.  

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