This Years Legislative Priorities for House Progressive Caucus

BOSTON (5/24/21) - After an intensive process, the 58-member House Progressive Caucus has recently finalized its priority legislation for the 192nd Session. This session, the caucus has selected four pieces of legislation, filed by members of the caucus, to endorse and advocate for passage during the 192nd session.

The Progressive Caucus legislative priorities for the 192nd session are:

I. H.3456 An Act relative to work and family mobility during and subsequent to the COVID-19 emergency also known as The Work and Family Mobility Act, filed by Representative Christine Barber & Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier

II. H.2418 An Act to protect the civil rights and safety for all Massachusetts residents also known as The Safe Communities Act, filed by Representative Ruth Balser & Representative Liz Miranda

III. H.1436 An Act promoting housing stability and homeless prevention in Massachusetts, also known as The Right to Counsel, filed by Representative Dave Rogers & Representative Michael Day

IV. H.605 An Act providing affordable and accessible high quality early education and care to promote child development and well-being and support the economy in the commonwealth, also known as The Common Start, filed by Representative Adrian Madaro & Representative Kenneth Gordon

The legislative priorities will be the focus of the Progressive Caucus’ advocacy throughout the two-year legislative term. These four bills reflect the caucus’ priority to promote social, economic, and environmental justice for all people of the Commonwealth.

“The caucus is ready to continue the momentum of last session in advocating for these four priority bills. The lead sponsors are excited to work with the caucus in passing the legislation.” said Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield), co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus.

“Last session was very productive with two of the caucus’ priority bills becoming law,'' noted Representative Jack Lewis (D-Framingham), co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus. “We are grateful for the ongoing partnerships with our colleagues and hope to carry this momentum forward.”

Supplemental Quotes and Descriptions of Priority Legislation for Press

The Work and Family Mobility Act would allow for all qualified Massachusetts residents, who do not have citizenship status, to apply for standard Massachusetts driver’s licenses or identification cards using validated documents. The legislation would add additional government documents to the list of those accepted by the RMV for proof of identity such as foreign passports, licenses from other states, birth certificates, consular IDs, and others during standard license or identification card application process. Massachusetts would join the list of 16 other states, including Connecticut and Vermont, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, if this bill is passed.

“Now more than ever, it is imperative that we expand driving privileges to people regardless of immigrant status”, said Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville), who is one of the lead sponsors of the Work and Family Mobility Act. “We must ensure families can access services and care, safely and without fear of being pulled over for driving without a license.”

“I am so pleased the Progressive Caucus has named this issue one of their top priorities this legislative session. With the support of the Progressive Caucus and the persistent work of bill sponsors and advocates, I am hopeful this critical legislation will be passed” added Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield), the other lead sponsor of the Work and Family Mobility Act.

The Safe Communities Act has been a long-term priority of the Caucus. The bill seeks to clarify the role of municipal law enforcement, court personnel, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during interactions with documented and undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts. It bars law enforcement and court personnel from asking people about their immigration status, unless required by law. It also instructs that before ICE questions someone in local custody, the police must obtain their consent using a form that explains their right to decline an interview or have their own attorney present. The bill bars police, court officers, and jail officials from notifying ICE that someone is about to be released. Furthermore, it ends contracts with ICE that allow state and county personnel to act as federal immigration agents, at state taxpayers’ expense. A final provision requires law enforcement agencies to train their personnel on this law, and creates a mechanism to file a complaint with the relevant agency or the Attorney General if there is an alleged violation.

"The pandemic revealed more than ever the importance of the Safe Communities Act. Learning from the medical community that many in the immigrant community were fearful of seeking medical care, at the same time as we were depending on so many immigrants for essential work, we are stepping up our commitment to making Massachusetts a safe and welcoming place for immigrants and refugees by ensuring that local and state authorities do not participate in federal immigration enforcement," noted Representative Ruth Balser (D-Newton), one of the lead sponsors of the Safe Communities Act.

“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, many immigrants in Massachusetts are avoiding medical treatment, testing and vaccination, and other critical care because of the fear that they will be deported and separated from their families," added Representative Liz Miranda (D-Boston), the other lead sponsor of The Safe Communities Act. “The Safe Communities Act would restore confidence in our local institutions and send a message to immigrants. in Massachusetts that they belong, and they are safe. Not only is this good public policy, but it's also a reflection of our Commonwealth's core values."

The Right to Counsel (RTC) filed by Representative Dave Rogers and Michael Day focuses on addressing the housing instability crisis facing Massachusetts. In 2020, 22,000 households were served eviction papers. Of those households, only 8.5% were represented by counsel in court. This bill creates a statewide program which will provide legal assistance and representation to indigent individuals involved in eviction proceedings. The program will be administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) with support from an advisory committee. In addition to providing legal representation, this bill requires that landlords attach a form approved by the Chief Justice of the SJC which will notify eligible tenants of their right to representation when they are served with an eviction notice

“This legislation creates a right to counsel for low-income renters and landlords in civil proceedings in which loss of housing is a potential outcome,” said Representative Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) one of the lead sponsors of the Right to Counsel “Our Housing Court is an overwhelming place for poor people facing eviction. And unlike other forms of litigation, eviction litigation is fast-paced and tenants quickly lose rights if they do not assert them promptly. In a detailed study, the Boston Bar Association has estimated that every dollar spent on full legal representation in Housing Court will save the Commonwealth $2.40. Almost all landlords go to Housing Court with counsel. However, less than ten percent of tenants have a lawyer. It is quite simply unjust. It is time to ensure that "and justice for all" are not empty words we recite in the Pledge of Allegiance.”

The Common Start filed by Representatives Adrian Madaro and Kenneth Gordon establishes a universal system of affordable and high-quality early education and care across Massachusetts. This bill increases both the affordability and quality of early education and childcare through direct funding to providers based on capacity, as well as subsidies for families based on household income. Universal early education and care will support development for children across the Commonwealth, and equity in the workforce across gender, race, and income by making quality care affordable to all families.

"Childcare has been inaccessible and unaffordable for many families in Massachusetts for far too long," said Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston), who is one of the Lead Sponsors of the early education bill. "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of childcare for working families and the large gap that exists between need and availability. As a soon-to-be father myself, I recognize how important it is for parents of all socioeconomic backgrounds to be able to access quality care without breaking the bank. That's why I'm proud to be partnering with the Common Start Coalition and my colleagues in the legislature to establish Universal Child Care across the Commonwealth. This bill supports childcare providers with the funding and resources they need, while also ensuring that every family in Massachusetts can access essential childcare services."

“I am proud to have joined with Rep. Adrian Madaro, the Common Start Coalition and dozens of legislative supporters to bring this important legislation forward,” added Representative Kenneth Gordon (D-Bedford), one of the Lead Sponsors of the early education bill. “Our families deserve access to quality, safe early childhood education. Our children deserve this important start to their schooling. Our early education teachers and support staff deserve a living wage. And our workers deserve a chance to get to work as we emerge from the economic downturn caused by this pandemic without worrying about how to care for their children. All of this can happen with this Common Start proposal. I look forward to working with legislative leadership on this important matter.”

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