Please take a moment to look at the bills I have filed this session related to rights, democracy, and transparency.
You can also view all bills I’ve co-sponsored this session here.
Filed bills
Fund Special Education
S.295, An Act establishing a Special Education Funding Reform Commission
The state’s formula for providing funding to school districts for special education costs relies upon an assumption that often does not come close to meeting the actual costs. Our children with disabilities suffer from inadequate resources due to this funding formula that shortchanges our school districts. My bill sets up a Commission to review the Commonwealth’s system for funding special education and make recommendations for a more equitable system that will provide adequate funding to local school districts to meet the costs of providing high quality education to students with disabilities.
Getting Foreign Money Out of Politics
S.454, An Act limiting political spending by foreign-influenced corporations
Foreign interference in our political process exists at the state level as it does in Washington D.C. My bill prohibits corporations that are substantially owned or controlled by a foreign person or corporation from making independent state political expenditures or contributions to a state independent expenditure PAC to influence state or local candidate elections or ballot referendums.
Abolish State Super-PACs
S.455, An Act relative to political contributions
While Massachusetts limits contributions to a political campaign, there is a huge loophole: there are no limits on contributions to “independent expenditure PACS,” also known as “super PACs.” For the sake of our democracy, we need to plug this loophole. My bill would limit contributions to a super PAC to $5,000 per year. Limits on contributions to super PACs would help prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption.
Protect Voter Privacy
S.456, An Act allowing individuals to protect their voter information
We deserve the choice as to whether our personal information is posted publicly. Unfortunately, state law currently does not let voters opt out of having their residential address and other information be publicly available. My bill allows individuals to make a request of the local officials that their voter information not be made public.
Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
S.748, An Act supporting equal access to community care for elders and the disabled
Current law makes seniors and people with disabilities ineligible for home care if their income goes just a penny above the income limit, a policy often called the “cliff effect.” My bill will allow eligible people to receive MassHealth home and community-based care even if their income is over the program income limit, if they pay a premium equal to their income above the limit.
Accountability for Public Officials Committing Sexual Crimes
S.955, An Act prohibiting the use of public funds to pay awards, fines or settlements in sexual harassment or assault cases
Taxpayers should not foot the bill when a public official commits sexual assault or harassment, yet that is exactly what has happened in Congress and it is permitted in our Commonwealth as well. My bill requires that public officials use their own money to pay awards, fines, and settlements in cases where they settle cases or are found responsible or guilty of sexual harassment or assault.
Ban the So-Called “Gay Panic” Defense
S.956, An Act protecting LGBTQ victims
Criminal defendants have made the outrageous argument in court that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity provoked a violent reaction from the defendant that resulted in murder or other violent crimes. My bill instructs courts that when determining mitigating circumstances for a homicide or other crime, the perpetrator’s perception of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity shall not be considered reasonable provocation.
Seal and Expunge Criminal Records for Drug-Related Crimes
S.957, An Act empowering individuals affected by substance abuse to rebuild their lives
People struggling with substance use disorder are often charged with drug-related crimes. These charges remain as criminal records for years, effectively preventing access to stable housing, employment, and sadly, increasing recidivism rates. My bill allows people with certain drug charges to automatically seal their record, after a shorter waiting period than currently provided, for both felonies and misdemeanors. It also allows people to petition to expunge certain drug charges from their record after a shorter waiting period and makes expungement the default outcome for sealing those charges.
Expand State Job Opportunities
S.1169, An Act relative to state employment postings
We must have equal opportunity in hiring practices. The state falls short of this goal because there is no requirement that open state jobs be posted publicly online. My bill directs state officials to create a single, comprehensive online system to list all job openings for positions with state agencies.
Stand Against Nuclear Weapons
S.1555, Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons to the commonwealth of Massachusetts
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 chooses to be a part of the problem, our Commonwealth should be a part of the solution. I have introduced a Resolve which creates a Commission to look into ways to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from the threat of nuclear weapons and to work towards the total elimination of these weapons from all countries.
» Sen. Comerford’s written testimony for S.1555
Stand Against Nuclear Weapons
S.1556, Resolutions relative to the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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 chooses to be a part of the problem, our Commonwealth should be a 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.
No New Prisons and Jails
S.2030, An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium
We should be reducing jail and prison populations by building community-based correctional programs and other alternatives to incarceration. We should not spend taxpayer money to build new prisons or expand existing ones to incarcerate more people. My bill imposes a 5-year moratorium on the construction or expansion of jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities, which would put the brakes on plans to build a $50 million prison for women inmates in Norfolk. Those funds could be invested in education, human services and other resources which would have a more positive effect on protecting public safety.
» Sen. Comerford’s oral testimony for S.2030
» Joint written testimony for S.2030
» Sen. Comerford speaks at State House rally in support of S.2030
Show Taxpayers Where Their Money Goes
S.2031, An Act advancing taxpayers’ right to know
The long and complicated budget processes at both the state and federal levels makes it almost impossible for a citizen to know where their tax dollars are going. Accountability is impossible without this basic understanding. My bill requires an information statement to be mailed to all taxpayers showing the allocation of their federal and state tax revenue.
Improve Police Interactions
S.2285, An Act Facilitating Better Interactions Between Police Officers and Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder
For people with autism spectrum disorder, encounters with police can be fraught. My bill provides for a state-approved blue envelope to be used voluntarily by people with autism spectrum disorder while driving. The envelope will hold a license and drivers registration information, with best practices written on the exterior of the envelope for police officers when interacting with people with autism spectrum disorder. The bill is modeled after a similar successful initiative in Connecticut.
