Revere – March 25, 2022

By Bob Katzen

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  THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 14-18. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.

FORBID DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A PERSON WITH A NATURAL HAIRSTYLE (H 4554)

  House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit any person or entity including educational institutions, workplaces and public spaces from implementing any policy that would explicitly target someone who wears their natural hairstyle. The measure defines natural hairstyle as “hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles including braids, locks, twists and other formations.”

  The bill also expands existing anti-bullying law in schools to include recognition for students who may be more vulnerable to bullying or harassment because of their natural hairstyle. Another provision requires the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to investigate complaints filed against employers who have discriminated based on natural hairstyle.

  “This is an historic moment for Massachusetts. I am beyond delighted that the [bill] passed unanimously in the House, and words cannot describe how great it is to see the years of hard work from advocates, staff, legislators and community members bear fruit,” said co-sponsor Rep. Steve Ultrino (D-Malden). “Today, the votes in our chamber sent a clear message: race-based discrimination has no place in our commonwealth. On this day, we ensured that a person’s racial and cultural identity will no longer be an obstacle to their education, professional career and path to success.”

  There was a light moment during floor debate on the bill. “As you may have guessed, I have never experienced hair discrimination,” said Rep. Ultrino, who is bald.

  “People of color across the commonwealth, particularly Black women, continue to face discrimination in school, in the workplace and in public spaces based on the texture and style of their hair,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), House Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. “It is racism, and this bill is necessary to address continued attempts to outflank our laws against discrimination based on race.”

  The House approved the bill in the 2019-2020 session on July 31, 2020 and sent it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it died without further action and without a vote by the full Senate.

  Beacon Hill Roll Call asked Senate President Karen Spika (D-Ashland) and Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) to explain why the Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2020 did not act on what seems to be a non-controversial bill and if they think the bill will die in committee again this year or get through the committee and be approved the Senate. Despite repeated requests, neither Spilka’s office nor Rodrigues’ office responded.

  (A “Yes” vote is for the bill).

Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes

CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM (H 4555)

  House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suffrage. Another provision provides that the state promote education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the commonwealth. A 13-member Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would be formed to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the trail.

  “I am humbled and proud to sponsor this legislation,” said Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “This legislation ensures that the many women from our commonwealth who contributed to the fabric of our nation and democracy are recognized, and their accomplishments preserved in our state’s history, so that their legacies may serve as inspiration for future generations of young women.”

  “The establishment of this trail continues Massachusetts’ commitment to honoring women while also creating additional tourism and economic opportunities across the commonwealth,” said Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. “It was an honor to pass this legislation during Women’s History Month.”

  The House approved the bill in the 2019-2020 session on September 18, 2020 and sent it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it died without further action and without a vote by the Senate.

  Beacon Hill Roll Call again asked Senate President Karen Spika (D-Ashland) and Senate Ways and Means chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) to explain why the bill died in the Senate in 2020 and if they think the bill will die in committee again this year or be approved the Senate. Despite repeated requests, neither Spilka’s office nor Rodrigues’ office responded.

  (A “Yes” vote is for the bill).

Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes

  HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

  During the week of March 14-18, the House met for a total of three hours and 53 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 56 minutes.

Mon. March 14 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

                          Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:17 a.m.

Tues. March 15 No House session

                           No Senate session

Wed. March 16 No House session

                          No Senate session

Thurs. March 17 House 11:05 a.m. to 2:49 p.m.

                             Senate 11:19 a.m. to 12:08 p.m.

Fri. March 18 No House session

                       No Senate session

  Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.