Please take a moment to look at the bills I have filed this session to protect and advance civil rights for all in Massachusetts.

You can also view all bills I’ve co-sponsored this session here.

civilrights

Filed bills

An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium

Jails and prisons in Massachusetts are operating overall at 60-80% of their capacity, as the Commonwealth has seen a significant decline in incarceration over the last decade. Massachusetts must continue to reduce the number of people incarcerated in jails and prisons, address the root causes of incarceration, and invest in community-based alternatives to prison and after-incarceration support. My bill imposes a five-year moratorium on the construction or expansion of jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities. A state-wide pause will allow the Commonwealth to consider and implement the research on investing in incarceration versus a range of proven alternatives and community-based support. This moratorium does not affect necessary maintenance and upkeep on existing correctional facilities. 

 

An Act establishing an Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous people in the Commonwealth and across the United States have been working to educate the public about Christopher Columbus, the impact of colonization, and the longstanding and continued injustices perpetrated against Native Americans. Thanks to their efforts, 34 states and territories recognize the day in a different way or not at all, with some observing Native American or Indigenous Peoples Day in addition to or in replacement of Columbus Day. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, Massachusetts is one of only 16 remaining states to still singularly observe the second Monday in October as Columbus Day. My bill directs the Governor to declare the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous peoples in our Commonwealth and nation, and to celebrate the thriving cultures — past, present, and future — of Indigenous people and tribal nations in Massachusetts.

 

An Act providing for gender-neutral bathrooms

Sex-segregated restrooms fail to accommodate all people, posing special difficulty to transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Research from the Gay & Lesbian Straight Education Network shows that nearly 45 percent of LGBTQ+ students avoid school bathrooms for this reason. In 2023, I filed a bill directing changes to the state building code to allow gender-neutral bathrooms without the need for a special permit. Thanks to great partners in the Healey-Driscoll Administration, these changes have now been made to the building code regulations. As “bathroom bills” continue to be filed in states across the country, and state legislatures attempt to limit an individuals’ right to use the restroom associated with their gender identity, I am refiling this legislation to enshrine these changes in statute, ensuring that the new building code cannot be reversed by future administrations.

 

An Act expanding access to trails for people of all abilities

Outdoor trails connect people with nature, promote active lifestyles, and protect natural spaces while fostering community. Unfortunately, many public trails remain inaccessible to people with disabilities and mobility limitations — of the nearly 4,000 miles of trails in state parks, only 7.5 miles meet accessible trail guidelines. In 2023, I filed legislation to create a working group of state agencies, disability advocates, and conservation organizations to assess trail accessibility and recommend effective access policies. In 2024, Governor Healey launched the Trails for All Initiative, implementing many provisions from my bill. I am refiling this legislation to codify in law a policy to maximize equitable access to trails, outdoor spaces, and outdoor recreational activities for people of all abilities, permanently establish an advisory council to advise the state on trail access, and create a state fund to support this important work.

 

An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

For drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), being stopped by a police officer can be particularly challenging. Law enforcement officers or other first responders may have had little or no training in best practices for communicating with people with ASD. My bill creates a voluntary program to make available special “blue envelopes” that hold the driver’s license, registration, and insurance cards, as well as specific instructions for the officer on the driver’s diagnosis and possible impairments or triggers. The envelope also includes space for the driver to provide emergency contact information. I first filed this bill in 2021. In 2023, the Massachusetts State Police implemented the Blue Envelope Program. My bill enshrines this program in law. 

 

An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth

Indigenous leaders in the Commonwealth and the Indigenous Legislative Agenda are calling for an end to public school mascots that make caricatures of Native American words, symbols, and culture. Decades of social science research has shown that these one-dimensional Native American mascots have damaging psychological and social consequences for Native American and non-Native students alike. My bill bans athletic team names, logos, and mascots that refer to Indigenous peoples or cultures and creates a process for phasing out any remaining Native American mascots. 

 

An Act protecting personal security

People who apply for a legal name change in Massachusetts are currently required to post their name change in a local paper. While some judges waive this antiquated requirement, not all do and gender-nonconforming and transgender individuals as well as survivors of domestic violence risk harm or discrimination if a judge does not waive the requirement or if they do not know that they can ask for the requirement to be waived in the first place. My bill strikes the publication requirement and further provides people seeking a legal name change with the option to request that the records of their name change be segregated from public records if a court determines that an open record would jeopardize their safety.

 

An Act relative to trans-inclusive health care access

Gender-affirming care is health care. Yet currently, insurance coverage for gender-affirming care services is subject to additional prior authorization requirements, creating barriers for individuals seeking this care. My bill requires insurance companies to cover gender-affirming care upon receipt of one letter from a qualified mental health professional, aligning state law with the accepted World Professional Association for Transgender Health standard and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on providers and individuals seeking this care.

 

Resolutions to embrace the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and move the U.S. back from the brink of nuclear war

Enough nuclear weapons currently exist to end human life on earth forever. The United Nations has moved to address this existential threat, and although the United States continues to produce and stockpile nuclear weapons, our Commonwealth can and should be part of the solution. My resolution declares the Commonwealth’s support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and directs the legislature to take action towards the elimination of all nuclear weapons.

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