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League-Supported/Opposed Legislation 2023-2024

To contact any of the legislative specialists, email specialists@lwvma.org.

Bills Followed by LWVMA in the 2023-2024 Legislative Session, listed by subject area

Bills are listed to date, with more being evaluated for support through May.

Affordable Housing, Lori Stewart, Lucy Kennedy

 Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H1690/S956

Summary

Eviction Record SealingAn Act promoting housing opportunity and mobility through eviction sealing (HOMES)

Support
Testimony

H1731/S864

Summary

Access to CounselAn Act promoting access to counsel and housing stability in MassachusettsSupport
Testimony
Testimony

H2747/S1771

Summary

Real Estate Transfer Fee to benefit affordable housingAn Act granting a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housingSupport

H145/S86

Summary

Emergency family housing assistanceAn Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness

Support

Testimony

H1351

Summary

Codifying Mass Rental Voucher Program MVRPAn Act codifying the Mass. Rental Voucher ProgramSupport
Testimony

H1295/S859

Summary

Prohibiting exclusionary zoningAn Act promoting fair housing by preventing discrimination against affordable housingSupport
Testimony

H2933

Summary

Increase community preservation revenueAn Act to increase community preservation revenueSupport
Testimony

 

Children and Family Issues, Palma McLaughlin

 Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H144/S75

Summary

Lift Our KidsAn Act to lift kids out of deep povertySupport
Testimony

H603/S261

Summary

Universal school mealsAn Act relative to Universal School Meals

Support
Testimony

H135/S76

Summary

Basic needs assistance for immigrant residentsAn Act Establishing Basic Needs Assistance for Massachusetts Immigrant ResidentsSupport
Testimony
H249/S146Domestic violence training for salon employeesAn Act to mandate domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists

Support

Testimony

H1547/S1077

Summary

Adds coercive control to definition of domestic violenceAn Act improving protections relative to domestic violenceSupport

H.1399/S.1079

Summary

Limits abusive litigationAn Act relative to controlling and abusive litigationSupport

S82

Summary

Expands the list of professions, volunteers, and citizenry required to report suspicions of child abuseAn Act authorizing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish additional mandated reporters for the purpose of the protection and care of childrenOppose

H1491/S1138

Summary

Increases the number of judges in family courtAn Act to improve the administration of justice in probate and family courtSupport

Criminal Legal System, Nancy Bettinger

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H2325/S1493

Summary

Promoting humane treatment and rehabilitationAn Act related to rehabilitation, re-entry and human rights for incarcerated peopleSupport

S1548

Summary

Establishes corrections inspector generalAn Act establishing a correctional inspector general officeSupport

H1495/S940

Summary

Juvenile diversionAn Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and servicesSupport

S1547/H2397

Summary

Parole review for the elderly incarceratedAn Act relative to parole review for aging incarcerated people Support

H1821/S1045

 

Establishes the right to a parole hearing after 25 years in custodyAn Act to reduce mass incarceration Support
Testimony

H1710/S942

Summary

Restructures the juvenile justice system to include 18 to 20-year-oldsAn Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adultsSupport

Education policy K-12, Robin Chen

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H489/S301

Summary

Affordable Early Education & Childcare

An Act Providing Affordable and Accessible High Quality Early Education and Care to Promote Child Development and Well-Being and Support the Economy in the Commonwealth (Common Start)

Support

H542/S288

Summary

Ensures K-12 education includes accurate histories contributions of racial and ethnic groups

An Act to promote racially inclusive curriculum in schools

Support

Elder Affairs, Pat Costello

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H2738/S1827

Summary

Tax deferrals for seniors and active duty militaryAn Act relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderlySupport
Testimony

Elections and Voting, Nancy Brumback, Nell Forgacs

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

S410*

Summary

Voting reforms including Same Day Registration

*Note that the four provisions of S.410 have been filed as separate bills in the House, below

An Act making voting administrative changes to create equitable systemic solutions (ACCESS Act)Support
Testimony

H688

Summary

Same-day voter RegistrationAn Act establishing same day registration of votersSupport
Testimony

H656

Summary

Uniform mail voting formsAn Act providing uniform mail voting formsSupport
Testimony

H707

Summary


Decouple municipal census from voting
An Act decoupling the municipal census from voter registrationSupport
Testimony

H701

Summary

Monitor polls for disability accessAn Act enforcing accessibility for voters with disabilitiesSupport
Testimony

H726/S423

Summary

Implement risk-limiting post-election auditsAn Act Protecting Elections using Risk-Limiting AuditsSupport
Testimony

H.26/S.8

Summary

Felon votingProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to voting rightsSupport
Testimony

S.405

Summary

Voter ID requirements postedAn Act mandating the posting of identification requirements at polling placesSupport
Testimony

H3384

Summary

Free public transit on Election DayAn Act to establish free access to ride to Support elections in Massachusetts (FARE Act)Support

H711/S433

Summary

Ranked choice voting in municipal electionsAn Act providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections

Support
Testimony

H3579

Summary

Allow use of campaign funds for child careAn Act empowering parental participation in elected officeSupport
Testimony

H669/S422

Summary

Allow use of campaign funds for child careAn Act supporting parents running for public officeSupport
Testimony

S438

Summary

Allow municipalities to lower voting age in municipal electionsAn Act ensuring municipal participation of the widest eligible rangeSupport
Testimony

H.658

Summary

Photo ID to voteAn Act requiring photo IDs to vote

Oppose
Testimony

H.687

Summary

Show ID to voteAn Act ensuring the election integrity through voter identification

Oppose
Testimony

H.720

Summary

Photo ID to voteAn Act establishing identification at the voting pollsOppose
Testimony

Environment—Climate Emergency, Launa Zimmaro

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H.3774/S.675

Summary

Climate bankAn Act creating a climate bank in MassachusettsSupport

H.3203/S.2105

Summary

Transition gas to thermal energy utilitiesAn Act relative to the future of heat in the Commonwealth

Support
Testimony

H.3694

Summary

Supply heating energy from zero emissions sourcesAn Act relative to the clean heat standardSupport
Testimony

H.3690/S.2104

Summary

Bottle bill expansionAn Act to expand the bottle billSupport
Testimony

S.471

Summary

Reduce waste and recycling costsAn Act to reduce waste and recycling costs in the CommonwealthSupport

H.3213/S.2178

Building decarbonizationAn Act relative to Better BuildingsSupport
Testimony

H.3192/S2144

Building decarbonizationAn Act relative to Building Energy and Decarbonization

Support
Testimony

Environment—Natural Resources, Carolyn Lee

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H861/
S475/S578

Summary

Water Resources – Drought policyAn Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought managementSupport

S476

Summary

Water Resources – “Water Banking” trust fundAn Act improving municipal water infrastructureSupport

H805/S480

Summary

Water resources – Flushable wipes labelingAn Act protecting water systems through the labeling of flushable wipesSupport

H845/S445

Summary

Environmental Protection – pest managementAn Act providing for the public health by establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program in the CommonwealthSupport
Testimony

H890/S508

Summary

Environmental Protection – invasive speciesAn Act responding to the threat of invasive species

Support
Testimony

H2197/S1356

Summary

Environmental Protection – hazardous chemicals (PFAS)An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS

Support
Testimony

H2839/S418/S1940

Summary

Environmental ProtectionAn Act increasing the conservation land tax credit (CLTC)Support
Testimony

Good Governance, Carolyn Lee

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action

H1728/S927

Summary

Privacy protection

An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology

Support

H60/S227

Summary

Privacy protection

An Act establishing the Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act

Support

SD2673

Prohibits book bansAn Act regarding free expressionSupport

H3502/S2319

Summary

Call for Article V Constitutional convention

Resolutions for a United States Constitutional Amendment and a limited amendment proposing convention

Oppose

H3040/S2024

Summary

Hybrid meetings

An Act to modernize participation in public meetings

Support
Testimony

H.74/S.34

Summary

Cable accessAn Act to modernize funding for community media programmingSupport
Testimony

Gun Violence Protection, Art Desloges, Sue McCalley

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action

H2307/S1492

Summary

Analysis of crime gun data to determine illegal gun trafficking patterns

An Act relative to crime gun data analysis and reporting

Support

H2360/S1509

Summary

Classifies 3D printed guns and ghost guns (or unserialized, untraceable guns) as illegal

An Act Relative to 3D Printed Weapons and Ghost Guns

Support

HD4420

Summary

Firearms omnibus bill

An Act to modernize firearm laws

Support

Health Care, Ellen Church

Bill #TopicBill Title LWVMA Action

H1239/S744

Summary

Universal single payer healthcareAn Act establishing Medicare for all in MassachusettsSupport

H2151/S1458

Summary

Uniform collection and reporting process for immunization informationAn Act Promoting Community ImmunitySupport

H2204/S1334

Summary

Ensure minimum local public health standards, uniform data collection and reportingAn Act relative to accelerating improvements to the local and regional public health system to address disparities in the delivery of public health servicesSupport
Testimony

H2209/S1457

Summary

License midwives practicing in out-of-hospital settingsAn Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth optionsSupport
Testimony

H2932/S764

Summary

Tax credit for caregivers of family members at homeAn Act to establish the family caregiving tax creditSupport
Testimony

H2246/S1331

Death with dignityAn Act Relative to End of Life OptionsSupport

Immigration, Amy Cooper

Bill #TopicBill Title LWVMA Action

H3084/S1990

Summary

Provide services in multiple languagesAn Act relative to language access and inclusionSupport

H2288/S1510

Summary

“Safe Communities Act” prevents state/local involvement in federal immigration enforcementAn Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residentsSupport

H2812/S1837

Summary

Fair wages for agricultural workersAn Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborersSupport

H1281/S817

Summary

Tuition equity for all MA HS graduatesAn Act to ensure tuition equity for Massachusetts residents/ An Act providing access to higher education for high school graduates in the Commonwealth

Support
Testimony

H.1401/S.997

Summary

Ends 287g ICE agreementsAn Act relative to Massachusetts state sovereignty Support
Testimony

Meeting Basic Human Needs, Clare Gordon

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action   

H211/S1112

Summary

Rights for Homeless personsAn Act establishing a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessnessSupport
Testimony

S1768

Summary

Earned Income Credit State MatchAn Act improving the earned income credit for working familiesSupport

H.3360/H.3388/S.2251

Summary

IDs for homeless individualsAn Act to provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessnessSupport
Testimony

Racial Justice, Felina Silver 

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action

H.536/S.318

Summary

Commission to study improving education outcomes for Indigenous youthAn Act providing for the creation of a permanent commission relative to the education of American Indian and Alaska Native residents of the CommonwealthSupport

H.529/S.344

Summary

Curriculum standard to include MA Indigenous peoplesAn Act relative to celebrating and teaching Native American culture and historySupport

H.477/S.245

Summary

Bans use of Native American mascots in schools unless tribe has granted permissionAn Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the CommonwealthSupport

H2989/S1976

Summary

Establishes Indigneous Peoples Day as a state holidayAn Act establishing an Indigenous Peoples DaySupport

Transportation, Franny Osman, Lois Levin

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action

H3272/S2277

Summary

Regional transit authoritiesAn Act to increase regional transit accessibility in the CommonwealthSupport
H2737/S1828Authorizes municipality to impose tax surcharge to fund transportation-related projectsAn Act relative to regional transportation ballot initiativesSupport
H3366/S2285Sets deadlines to electrify regional transit authoritiesAn Act Electrifying Regional Transit AuthoritiesSupport
H3139/S2218Sets deadlines to electrify school busesAn Act Setting Deadlines for School Bus & Public Fleet Electrification and Programs to Encourage Electrification of Private FleetsSupport
H3392/S2217Sets deadline to electrify the commuter railAn Act Setting Deadlines to Electrify the Commuter RailSupport

Women’s Issues, Jan Soma

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action

H534/S1381

Summary

No cost menstrual productsAn Act to increase access to disposable menstrual productsSupport
Testimony

H544/S268

Summary

Ensures age appropriate, medically accurate sex education in schoolsAn Act relative to healthy youthSupport

H1137/S646

Summary

Health insurance coverage for all pregnancy related careAn Act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care

Support
Testimony

H1890/S1184

Summary

Ban on mandatory arbitration in the workplaceAn Act relative to defense against abusive waiversSupport
Testimony

H1940/S1181

Summary

Equal PayAn Act relative to transparency in the workplace

Support
Testimony

H1849/S1191

Summary

Equal PayAn Act relative to pay range disclosureSupport
Testimony

S2016

Summary

Parity on public boardsAn Act to ensure gender parity and racial and ethnic diversity on public boards and commissionsSupport
Testimony

S1415

Summary

Black maternal health omnibus-newAn Act relative to birthing justice in the Commonwealth

Support

Testimony

S2061

Summary

Independent commission to investigate State House sexual harassment/abuseAn Act promoting equality and respect in the legislatureSupport
Testimony

Bills Followed by LWVMA in Previous Legislative Sessions