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League-Supported/Opposed Legislation 2019-2020

The Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) is evaluating bills as they are filed for the new legislative session (2021-2022) over the next couple of months. We will begin posting the bills we are supporting in the 2021-2022 session later this spring.

The legislative advocacy efforts of the LWVMA are led by the Legislative Action Committee (LAC), composed of the League’s volunteer legislative specialists.  Each legislative specialist follows one or more focus areas.  For those areas, the specialist researches bills filed with the Massachusetts legislature, recommends League action, writes testimony on the League’s position to submit to the relevant committee of the legislature, and follows the progress of the bill. The bills LWVMA acts on must be consistent with LWVMA or LWVUS positions. The specialist may also join with approved coalition partners or advocacy groups to work together to support or oppose bills. The Legislative Action Committee decides on support for or opposition to a bill, with the LWVMA board of directors retaining final authority on those decisions.

Legislative specialists encourage League members who are interested in closely following an area of legislation or a specific bill to contact them and be added to that specialist’s “team” for notifications of committee hearings and other activities related to specific legislation.

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

Bills Followed by LWVMA in the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, listed by subject area

The bill numbers listed are the numbers initially assigned.  Those numbers will change many times during the legislative process.  You can find the new numbers by clicking on the numbers below, then following the links under “Bill History” on a bill’s page on the legislature’s website.

Affordable Housing, Clare Gordon

 Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H1305/S797Update state’s rental voucher programAn Act codifying the Mass. rental voucher programSupport
Testimony
H1288/S775Provisions to expand housing for people with low and moderate incomesAn Act relative to housing reformSupport
Testimony
H1264Provide rent support to prevent families from losing homesAn Act to further provide a rental arrearage programSupport
Testimony

Children and Family Issues, Palma McLaughlin

 Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H102Set floor for welfare benefitsAn Act to reduce deep poverty among kidsSupport
Testimony
S36An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty
H591/S267Make breakfast available after school beginsAn Act regarding breakfast after the bellSupport
Testimony
H104Repeal family cap on welfare benefitsAn Act to lift the cap on kidsSupport
Testimony
S37An Act relative to the well-being and care of a child
H197/S125Domestic violence education for salon employeesAn Act to mandate domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapistsSupport
Testimony
H585/S256Outline how schools deal with meal debtAn Act to promote student nutritionSupport
Testimony
H3334/S865
No longer active this session
Domestic violence training for child advocatesAn Act relative to improving training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violenceSupport
Testimony

Criminal Justice and Courts, Nancy Bettinger, Lucy Costa

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H3420/S825Raise age of juvenile jurisdiction gradually to include 18-20 year-oldsAn Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adultsSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 10/18/19
H1486/S940
No longer active this session
Revise how criminal justice system deals with those under 25 or 26An Act to reduce the recidivism among emerging adultsSupport
Testimony
H1386/S900
No longer active this session
Expungement of certain charges against juvenilesAn Act relative to expungementSupport
Testimony
H1493/S1014
No longer active this session
Decriminalize consensual adolescent sexual relationsAn Act clarifying consent laws for adolescentsSupport
Testimony
H3457/S1390Changes to parole boardAn Act relative to paroleSupport
Testimony (H.3457)
Testimony (S.1390)
Action Alert 10/18/19
H1541
No longer active this session
Require release on parole unless evidence of dangerAn Act establishing presumptive paroleSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 10/18/19
H3358/S826
No longer active this session
Require parole hearing after serving 25 yearsAn Act to reduce mass incarcerationSupport
Testimony
H1343/S937Support treatment, not jail, if an addict relapsesAn Act relative to treatment, not imprisonmentSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 10/18/19
H2047/S1379Eliminate broad restrictions on prison visitsAn Act to strengthen inmate visitationSupport
Testimony
H.4652To release prisoners where possible to lessen spread of COVID-19An Act regarding decarceration and COVID-19Support
Testimony

Education (Finance), Mary Frantz

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H586/S238Revise funding formula for educationAn Act providing rightful opportunities and meaningful investment for successful and equitable educationSupport
Testimony

Education (Higher), Susan Loffredo

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H1214/S741Expand funding for public higher educationAn Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public education systemSupport
Testimony
H1209/S764How institutions of higher education deal with sexual harassment and violenceAn Act relative to sexual violence on higher education campusesSupport
Testimony

Education (Policy), Karen Mazza

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
S240
No longer active this session
Create pre-kindergarten grant programAn Act relative to universal pre-kindergarten accessSupport
Testimony

Elections and Voting, Linda Freedman

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H685/S396       Election Day RegistrationAn Act relative to Election Day RegistrationSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 6/13/19
H636 An Act relative to Election Day Registration (satellites)
S397 
No longer active this session
Expand early votingAn Act relative to early voting privacy and expansionSupport
Testimony
H681
No longer active this session
An Act to extend early voting for all elections
H684/S387
No longer active this session
An Act relative to early voting in the 2020 presidential primary
H719Ranked choice voting in state and federal electionsAn Act relative to ranked choice votingSupport
Testimony
S414An Act to use ranked choice voting in elections
H635/S420
No longer active this session
Provide a local option to use ranked choice voting in city or town electionsAn Act providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal electionsSupport
Testimony
H687/S388/H721
No longer active this session
Strengthen law requiring audits of random precincts after electionsAn Act relating to post-election auditsSupport
Testimony
H639/S408Allow campaign funds to be used for child careAn Act supporting parents running for public officeSupport
Testimony
H78Allow no-excuse absentee votingProposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide for no-excuse absentee votingSupport
Testimony
H658
No longer active this session
Require photo ID to voteAn Act ensuring the election integrity through voter identificationOppose
Testimony
H705
No longer active this session
An Act relative to valid identification at voting polls
H677
No longer active this session
Public campaign financingAn Act relative to the elimination of public campaign financingOppose
Testimony
H704
No longer active this session
Change processes for electronic transmission of completed absentee ballots by overseas votersAn Act relative to voting overseasOppose
Testimony
H709
No longer active this session
An Act relative to UOCAVA voting
H4778Election reforms to deal with pandemicAn Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19Support
Testimony

Environment—Climate Change and Energy, Launa Zimmaro

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H2836/S1958Goals for renewable energy useAn Act transitioning Massachusetts to 100% renewable energySupport
Testimony
H3983Implement 2008 Global Warming Solutions ActAn Act to create a 2050 roadmap to a clean and thriving CommonwealthSupport
Testimony
Letter to Conference Committee
Action Alert 7/7/20
Action Alert 11/12/19
H2810Carbon pricingAn Act to promote green infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions

Support
Testimony
Action Alert 11/12/19

S1924An Act to combat climate change
H2802/S2005
No longer active this session
Omnibus energy billAn Act to secure a clean energy futureSupport
H3008/S2106
No longer active this session
Regional Transportation and Climate Initiative agreementAn Act to advance modern and sustainable solutions for transportationSupport
Testimony
H2865/S1935
No longer active this session
Define highly energy-efficient buildingsAn Act to establish a net zero stretch energy codeSupport
Testimony
H4264/S464Promote environmental justice, reduce disparities in exposure to toxinsAn Act relative to environmental justice and toxics reductions in the CommonwealthSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 7/7/20
H2849/S1940Transition natural gas industry to renewable energyAn Act for utility transition to using renewable energySupport
Testimony
Action Alert 11/12/19
H853Remove biomass from allowed renewable heating optionsAn Act to assure the attainment of greenhouse gas emissions goals in the alternative portfolio standardSupport
H3846/H.3997Provide a mechanism for funding mitigation, resilience, and adaptation measures a the municipal levelAn Act relative to GreenWorksSupport
Testimony (H.3846)
Testimony (H.3997)
H.2837To expand deposits to non-carbonated beveragesAn Act to increase recycling in the CommonwealthSupport
Testimony
H.4820Election reforms to deal with pandemicAn Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19Support
Letter 7/2/20
Action Alert 6/9/20
Action Alert 5/22/20

Environment—Natural Resources, Loring Schwarz, Carolyn Lee

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H2522/S1767Tax credits for donating land for conservationAn Act relative to the conservation land tax creditSupport
Testimony
H2463/S1618
No longer active this session
Increase funding for Community Preservation ActAn Act to sustain community preservation revenueSupport
Testimony
H3500/S1230Ban toxic flame retardantsAn Act to protect children, families, and firefighters from harmful flame retardantsSupport
Testimony
H3661Ban certain chemicals in firefighter equipmentAn Act relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipmentSupport
Testimony
H842/S2014
No longer active this session
Promote using natural resources to combat carbon pollutionAn Act to sustain natural and working lands carbon in communitiesSupport
Testimony (H.842)
Testimony (S.2014)

Good Governance, Carolyn Lee

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action
H3422/S861Require a warrant before obtaining information from phone or internet companyAn Act to protect electronic privacySupport
Testimony
Action Alert 10/18/19
H1538/S1385Moratorium on use of certain technology until regulations are enactedAn Act establishing a moratorium on face recognition and other remote biometric surveillance systemsSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 10/18/19
H.3208/S.2163Constitutional convention to overturn Citizens UnitedResolutions for a United States Constitutional Amendment and a limited amendment proposing conventionOppose
Testimony

Gun Control, Jennifer Muroff, Sue McCalley

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H2045/S1388Require reporting and analysis of data on guns used in crimesAn Act relative to crime gun data reporting and analysisSupport
Testimony

Health Care, Janice Goodell

LWVMA Task Force on Health Equity Testimony

Bill #TopicBill Title LWVMA Action
H1194/S683Establish single-payer health care in stateAn Act establishing Medicare for all in MassachusettsSupport
Testimony
H1948/S1332License midwivesAn Act relative to out-of-hospital birth access and safetySupport
Testimony
S834Permit civil lawsuits by victims of female genital mutilationAn Act relative to female genital mutilationSupport
Testimony
H1853/S1235Evaluate and regulate medical step therapy protocolAn Act relative to fail first and patient safetySupport
Testimony
H1154Permit pharmacists to discuss drug prices with customers, add pharmacy benefit managers to state lawsAn Act to reduce drug costs through transparencySupport
Testimony

Immigration, Jennifer Muroff

Bill #TopicBill Title LWVMA Action
H3573/S1401“Safe Communities Act” on immigration enforcementAn Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residentsSupport
Testimony
Action Alert 1/17/20
Action Alert 11/21/19
H3012/S2061Allow drivers’ licenses regardless of immigration statusAn Act relative to work and family mobilitySupport
Testimony
H1368
No longer active this session
Require costs of state and local immigration law enforcement be covered by federal fundsAn Act relative to enforcing federal lawSupport
Testimony
H1239/S740
No longer active this session
In-state tuition for some non-citizen studentsAn Act relative to  equal opportunity for high school graduates in the CommonwealthSupport
Testimony
H1236/S739
No longer active this session
An Act to ensure tuition  equity for Massachusetts residents
H4726/S2659Stimulus checks to all who paid Mass. taxesAn Act to provide equal stimulus checks to immigrant taxpayersSupport
Testimony

Meeting Basic Human Needs, Clare Gordon

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action   
H1265Remove requirements for families to spend one night in places not fit for sleepingAn Act to protect families experiencing homelessness from having to sleep in unsafe placesSupport
Testimony
H1173/S678Common application for safety-net servicesAn Act improving public health through a common application for core food, health, and safety-net programsSupport
Testimony
H150/S76HomelessnessAn Act relative to the safety, dignity, and civil rights of persons experiencing homelessnessSupport
Testimony
H2434Earned income tax creditAn Act improving the earned income credit for working familiesSupport
Testimony
S1646An Act improving the earned income credit for healthier families
H4622Emergency aid for those in deep povertyAn Act to provide short-term relief for families in deep povertySupport
Testimony

Racial Justice, Tracy Brown, Kathy Leonardson, Jennifer Muroff

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action   
H4860/S2963Addresses police brutalityAn Act to reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just Commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of color

Support
Action Alert 12/21/20
Action Alert 12/14/20
Action Alert 12/2/20
Letter 9/29/20
Action Alert 7/28/20
Action Alert 7/22/20
Action Alert 7/15/20
Action Alert 6/15/20

H1440Create commission on structural racismAn Act establishing a special commission on structural racismSupport
H2146Create commission on police standards and licensingResolve providing for a “Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training” to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) systemSupport
Action Alert 6/15/20
H2292Review civil service exams for policeAn Act to reform civil service examsSupport

Transportation, Tanya Roy, Lois Levin

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H3118/S2042Bicycle and pedestrian safetyAn Act to reduce traffic fatalitiesSupport
Testimony
S2120Require hands-free devices when drivingAn Act to prevent driver distraction and motor vehicle fatalitiesSupport
Testimony
H2873
No longer active this session
Rebates for zero-emission vehiclesAn Act promoting zero-emission vehiclesSupport
Testimony
H3075/S2035Variable-toll pilot program for tunnelsAn Act relative to congestion relief in East BostonSupport
Testimony
H2653/S1694Allow municipalities and regions to raise taxes for transportation projectsAn Act relative to regional transportation ballot initiativesSupport
Testimony
H2869/S2116
No longer active this session
Prohibit registration of new non-zero-emission vehicles after 2038An Act relative to a clean transportation futureSupport
Testimony (House)
Testimony (Senate)
H3010/S2114
No longer active this session
Pilot program for revenue based on vehicle milesAn Act to explore alternative funding sources to ensure safe and reliable transportationSupport
Testimony

Water Resources, Carolyn Lee

Bill #TopicBill TitleLWVMA Action
H751/S490Create statewide sewage discharge notification systemAn Act promoting awareness of sewage pollution in public watersSupport
Testimony
H762/S535
No longer active this session
Water conservation during droughtsAn Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought managementSupport
Testimony
H1781Permit “water-banking” fee on large-scale water usersAn Act providing for the establishment of sustainable water resource fundsSupport
Testimony
S1645
No longer active this session
An Act mitigating water resource impactsSupport
Testimony

Women’s Issues, Tracy Brown

Bill #Topic Bill TitleLWVMA Action
H3320/S1209          Changes to laws affecting abortions in state, called the “ROE Act”An Act to remove obstacles and expand abortion access

Support
Testimony
Action Alert 12/14/20
Action Alert 11/17/20
Action Alert 11/24/20
Action Alert 10/15/20
Action Alert 11/12/19
Action Alert 6/12/19

H410/S263Sexual health educationAn Act relative to healthy youthSupport
Testimony
H1949/S1334Commission to study racial disparities in maternal healthAn Act to reduce racial disparities in maternal healthSupport
Testimony
H3572/S1898
No longer active this session
Independent commission on workplace harassment and sexual assault at State HouseAn Act promoting equality and respect in the legislatureSupport
Testimony
H1959/S1274Make menstrual products available without costAn Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schoolsSupport
Testimony

 

Bills Followed by LWVMA in Previous Legislative Sessions