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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3865 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1696
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Brandy Fluker-Reid
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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 to cure us of the liabilities that ultimately restricted equity.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Brandy Fluker-Reid12th Suffolk1/17/2025Samantha Montaño15th Suffolk2/6/2025 1 of 4
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3865 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1696
By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1696) of
Brandy Fluker-Reid and Samantha Montaño relative to establishing a commission to study and
develop proposals for lineage-based reparations programs in the Commonwealth. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3921 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to cure us of the liabilities that ultimately restricted equity.
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. There shall be a commission to study and develop proposals for reparative
2justice in the commonwealth through a truth and reconciliation process, to redress harms
3resulting from the institution of slavery and its legacy endured by formerly enslaved citizens of
4Massachusetts and their descendants. For the purposes of this act, descendants of formerly
5enslaved people in the United States shall be understood to be members of the Freedmen class,
6hereinafter referred to as American Freedmen. American Freedmen are that class of persons
7emancipated in the United States via the 13th Amendment in 1865 or earlier, and their
8descendants. Members of the commission shall be considered special state employees for
9purposes of chapter 268A of the General Laws. 2 of 4
10 The commission shall develop reports documenting the effects of slavery and its legacy
11on the American Freedmen class in the commonwealth. These reports shall include, but not be
12limited to, the effects of slavery, domestic terrorism, political disenfranchisement, housing
13segregation, separate and unequal education, pathologizing of the Freedmen families,
14environmental and infrastructure partiality that disproportionately affects the Freedmen class,
15control over creative cultural and intellectual life, stolen labor and hindered opportunity, an
16unjust legal system, neglect, mental and physical harm, as well as the persistent and growing
17wealth gap of American Freedmen.
18 SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of 15 members, the majority of whom shall
19be members of the American Freedmen class: 11 members appointed by the governor, 1 of
20whom shall have expertise in remedial justice, 1 of whom shall have expertise in genealogy, 2 of
21whom shall have expertise in the history of American slavery and institutional discrimination
22and systemic racism, 2 of whom shall be members of organizations concerned with remedial
23justice, 1 of whom shall have expertise in forensic accounting, 1 of whom shall have expertise in
24public policy, 2 of whom shall be Massachusetts residents of the American Freedmen class who
25have demonstrated a commitment to advocating for remedial justice, and 1 of whom shall have
26expertise in constitutional law; 2 members appointed by the president of the senate; and 2
27members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
28 The appointing authorities shall create a public application process, including a written
29application, an interview, and thorough vetting. To the extent possible, the appointing authorities
30shall appoint members to the commission who have a verified familial connection to the
31American Freedmen class. The commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its
32members. 3 of 4
33 SECTION 3. (a) The commission shall develop:
34 (i) proposals for remedial resolutions, including proposals for the form and amount of
35reparative remedies; and
36 (ii) a summary of data from the truth and reconciliation process. The commission shall
37consider a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, lump sum payments, yearly
38payments, victims’ assistance funds, homeowners’ assistance, tuition assistance, tuition refunds,
39mortgage refunds, and tax credits.
40 (b) The commission shall develop criteria to determine the eligibility of beneficiaries of
41state reparative measures and programs and a method for application to such programs.
42 (c) The commission shall make recommendations for the implementation of reparative
43measures, including recommendations regarding:
44 (i) the timeline for the implementation of such programs, with attention to how they
45would function for present and future generations;
46 (ii) draft legislation for the implementation of such programs; and
47 (iii) resources and materials for educating the public on remedial justice and reparative
48programs.
49 SECTION 4. Within 2 years, the commission shall submit a report of its findings and
50recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out such
51recommendations, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint
52committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion, and the house and senate committees on
53ways and means. Within 2 years, the commission shall notify the public of its findings. 4 of 4
54 SECTION 5.
55 (a) Quorum. A quorum for conducting business shall consist of 5 members.
56 (b) Compensation. Non-legislative members of the commission shall receive reasonable
57per diem compensation for attendance at up to 10 meetings, subject to appropriation. Members
58shall also be reimbursed for customary expenses incurred during the execution of their duties.
59 (c) Vacancies. Vacancies shall not impede the commission’s work and shall be filled by
60the original appointing authority for the remainder of the term.
61 SECTION 6. The commission shall serve as a continuing resource for the commonwealth
62by providing consultation to the permanent commission on the status of African Americans,
63established in section 72 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, and reviewing and advising on
64policies impacting the American Freedmen class to ensure equity and justice.
65 SECTION 7. This act shall take effect upon its passage.