This bill has a House version filed by Representative Tyler, H.1903.

The Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, commonly referred to as MOVA, was created under Chapter 258B of the M.G.L by the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, who sought to coordinate and implement operations related to victim rights in Massachusetts. Currently, the Victim and Witness Assistance Board is made up of five seats, two of which are held by public board members.

This bill seeks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within MOVA’s internal governance by adding two additional public board members to the board. These additional seats would be given to two survivors of crime with at least one representing an underserved community.

The addition of these two seats would enable marginalized populations across Massachusetts to receive much needed multi-cultural representation with an emphasis on further understanding racial inequalities among survivors. Each community has a unique set of needs, and diverse voices are needed to effectively reach, uplift, and empower individuals. Further, this legislation would provide BIPOC communities an opportunity to have meaningful influence and involvement in the decision-making process at MOVA.

The statistics show that BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected by violence in Massachusetts, with higher rates of victimization. I filed this legislation to ensure that these communities affected by crime and violence have the opportunity to be the narrators of their own lived-experiences.

This bill has a House version filed by Representative Ultrino, H.4295.

This bill aims to combat hair discrimination by defining natural hairstyles in statue and prohibiting discrimination in the Commonwealth based on natural hairstyles in schools, businesses, and other public spaces.

This legislation defines natural hairstyle as “texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles, which shall include, but not be limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks twists and other formations.”

Further, it bans policies that limit or prohibit natural hairstyles in all school districts, school committees, public schools, and non-sectarian schools, adds natural hairstyles as a consideration in school anti-bullying plans, and requires that charter schools address natural hairstyles in their equal opportunity statements.

It also prohibits hair discrimination in business, advertising, and public spaces, and directs the Massachusetts Commission Against to Discrimination to enforce these protections.

This legislation was filed in response to the discrimination many people of color, particularly women, still face. Studies show Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair, and 80% of Black women felt the need to change their natural hair to fit in with workplace standards. Studies also show that nearly 1 in 3 Black women experience extreme levels of anxiety about their hair and in Massachusetts, Black girls are nearly 4 times more likely than white girls to face suspension, many times for wearing their natural hair.

This bill has a House version filed by Representative Tyler and Representative Lewis, H.1904.

This bill would ensure that expunged records related to a marijuana arrest would not disqualify an applicant from public service in the state. It would also require the state to restore a motor vehicle license to anyone with an expunged marijuana license who had theirs suspended due to a marijuana related infraction unrelated to the conviction for operation under the influence.

It would enable an applicant for employment with an expunged record on file to answer “no record” with respect to: (i) an inquiry relative to prior arrests, criminal court appearances or convictions; (ii) an inquiry related to prior arrests or criminal court appearances and adjudications in all cases of delinquency or as a child in need of services which did not result in said complaint being transferred to the superior court for criminal prosecution.

This legislation would also allow a prisoner being held only for sentence under an expunged marijuana offense to apply to the sentencing court for an order of discharge and release.

This bill has a House version filed by Representative Farley-Bouvier and Representative Barber, H.3456.

This bill would enable all qualified Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status, to go through the standard application steps to apply for a driver’s license. The ability of undocumented immigrants to successfully participate in the Commonwealth’s workforce is often negatively impacted by their lack of ability to obtain a MA driver’s license. Allowing undocumented immigrants to get around more easily would help boost their earning potential. Licensing more drivers allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.

This legislation would also have a positive impact on public safety, a major reason why this legislation has earned the support of multiple law enforcement agencies and District Attorneys across the state.