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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2376 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1994
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James B. Eldridge
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and WorcesterVanna Howard17th Middlesex 1 of 5
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2376 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1994
By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1994) of James B. Eldridge and
Vanna Howard for legislation to promote the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in
the commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 3 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
2section:-
3 Section 71. (a) There shall be a permanent commission on the status of people who
4practice Islam consisting of 11 persons as follows: 2 persons appointed by the governor; 1 person
5appointed by the attorney general; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house of
6representatives; 1 person appointed by the president of the senate; 2 persons appointed by the
7state secretary; 2 persons appointed by the senate chair of the Massachusetts general court’s joint
8committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion; and 2 persons appointed by the house
9chair of the Massachusetts general court’s joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and
10inclusion. Members of the commission shall reside in the commonwealth who have
11demonstrated a commitment to the Muslim American community. Members shall be subject to
12the provisions of chapter 268A as they apply to special state employees. 2 of 5
13 (b) Members shall serve terms of 3 years and until their successors are appointed.
14Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original appointing
15authority for the balance of the unexpired term. Nominations for members shall be solicited by
16the appointing authorities between August 1 and September 16 of each year through an open
17application process using a uniform application that is widely distributed throughout the state.
18 (c) The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer
19and any other officers it considers necessary. The members of the commission shall receive no
20compensation for their services, provided however, that they shall be reimbursed for any usual
21and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
22 (d) The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting
23American Muslim communities in the commonwealth. In furtherance of that responsibility, the
24commission shall: (1) promote research and serve as a clearinghouse and source of information
25on issues pertaining to American Muslims in the commonwealth; (2) inform the public and
26leaders of business, education, human services, health care, state and local governments and the
27communications media of the unique cultural, social, ethnic, economic and educational issues
28affecting American Muslims in the commonwealth; (3) foster unity among the American Muslim
29community and organizations in the commonwealth by promoting cooperation and sharing of
30information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities; (4) serve as a liaison between
31government and private interest groups with regard to matters of unique interest and concern to
32American Muslims in the commonwealth; (5) identify and recommend qualified American
33Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions,
34as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; (6) assess programs and practices in all
35state agencies as they affect American Muslims, as the commission considers necessary and 3 of 5
36appropriate; (7) advise executive and legislative bodies on the potential effect on American
37Muslims of proposed legislation, as the commission considers necessary and appropriate; and (8)
38generally undertake activities designed to enable the commonwealth to realize the full benefit of
39the skills, talents and cultural heritage of American Muslims in the commonwealth.
40 (e) The commission shall annually, on or before June 2, report the results of its findings
41and activities of the preceding year and its recommendations to the governor and to the clerks of
42the senate and house of representatives.
43 (f) The powers of the commission shall include, but not be limited, to: (1) using the
44voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, agencies and organizations that
45may from time to time be offered and needed, including the provision of meeting places and
46refreshments; (2) holding regular, public meetings and holding fact-finding hearings and other
47public forums as it considers necessary; (3) directing staff to perform its duties; (4) establishing
48and maintaining offices that it considers necessary, subject to appropriation; (5) enacting by-laws
49for its own governance that are not inconsistent with any general or special law; and (6)
50recommending policies and making recommendations to agencies and officers of the state and
51local subdivisions of government to effectuate the purposes of subsection (d).
52 (g) The commission may request from all state agencies whatever information and
53assistance the commission requires.
54 (h) The commission may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts, donations, grants,
55or bequests, or any federal funds for any of the purposes of this section. These funds shall be
56deposited in a separate account with the state secretary’s office, be received by the state secretary
57on behalf of the commonwealth, and be expended by the commission in accordance with law. 4 of 5
58 (i) The commission staff shall consist of a paid executive director, employees and
59volunteers who assist the commission in effecting its statutory duties. The commission shall
60appoint the executive director for a term of 3 years.
61 SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 1, the initial members of the American Muslim
62commission shall be appointed for the following terms:-
63 (a) The governor shall appoint, on or before December, 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a
64term of 3 years.
65 (b) The attorney general shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 1 member for a
66term of 3 years.
67 (c) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint, on or before December 1,
682024, 1 member for a term of 3 years.
69 (d) The president of the senate shall appoint, on or before December 1 2024, 1 member
70for a term of 3 years.
71 (e) The state secretary shall appoint, on or before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for
72a term of 3 years.
73 (f) The chair of the Senate committee on racial equity, civil rights shall appoint, on or
74before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a term of 3 years.
75 (g) The chair of the House committee on racial equity, civil rights shall appoint, on or
76before December 1, 2024, 2 members, each for a 3 year term. 5 of 5
77 SECTION 3. The executive director of the American Muslim commission, established by
78section 1, shall initially be appointed by the commissioners for the term of 3 years on or before
79December 1, 2025.
80 SECTION 4. Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, shall take effect on December 1, 2024.