Massachusetts has long been a leader in civil rights, and I am committed to continuing that tradition. Social justice is not legislative area, but a lens through which I analyze every bill. From climate justice to police reform, we must assess how every policy action (or inaction) disproportionately affects more marginalized communities in our Commonwealth.

 

I have led the charge on civil rights protections that are still absent from our Commonwealth's law books, including anti-discrimination protections for people experiencing homelessness, making body size discrimination unlawful, protections against sexual and identity-based harassment on Beacon Hill, and removing needless barriers to adoption for same-sex couples. With the MCI-Norfolk prison located within my district, I will always fight for access to medical care and better prison conditions for my incarcerated constituents, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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I during my first term in office, I voted in favor of an omnibus climate package which included provisions I filed to curb CO2 emissions in Massachusetts' largest buildings. That term, in response to Black Lives Matter protests nationwide, I also spoke on the Senate floor in favor of comprehensive police reform,  particularly banning the use of tear gas and rolling back qualified immunity, a legal doctrine whose original purpose has been eroded by courts over time and now restricts accountability for egregious misconduct by bad actors in law enforcement.

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Everyone – regardless of race, gender, income, age, ability, creed, nationality, or sexuality – deserves civil rights, clean air and water, safety, dignity, and equal opportunity. There is still much work to do in pursuit of justice and equity, and I pledge to remain all in.
 

LEAD-SPONSORED LEGISLATION   

 

• S. 1898 | An Act promoting equality and respect in the legislature

• S. 1013 | An Act to promote efficiency in co-parent adoptions

• S. 76 | An Act relative to the safety, dignity, and civil rights of persons experiencing homelessness

• S. 816 | An Act providing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness

• S. 1012| An Act making discrimination on the basis of height and weight unlawful

• H. 2772 | An Act to promote cost savings through the use of public water (joint petition with Representative Maria Robinson)

• S. 2011 | An Act establishing building energy performance standards

• S. 422 | An Act to ensure a complete, accurate, and equitable census count

• S. 1334 | An Act to reduce racial disparities in maternal health