JALSA Legislative Priorities 2025-2026
In selecting our priorities for the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court, we are guided by the commandment to pursue justice – Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof.
The legislative initiatives below will lead to Massachusetts being a more equitable place, providing opportunities for all who live here to lead healthy and economically-secure lives, free from discrimination.
As the legislative session continues, we may add additional priorities to this list below.
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An Act Combatting Offshore Tax Avoidance (H.3310 / S.2033) Closes loopholes in the state tax code allowing large corporations to conceal their profits in offshore tax havens.
An Act Relative to Raising the Minimum Wage Closer to a Living Wage in the Commonwealth (H.2107 / S.1349) Will raise the minimum wage up to twenty dollars an hour.
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An Act Relative to Affordable Housing and Environmental Adaptation Dollars (H.3194/ S.1973) Raises the deeds excise tax and uses the revenue to pay for affordable housing and climate adaptation/mitigation.
An Act Establishing a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund (H.3577/ S.2286) Establishes a fund to pay to renovate public/affordable housing and public buildings and get those buildings off fossil fuels.
An Act Establishing A Climate Change Superfund(H.1014/S.588) A state level superfund program that will require those who make a mess to clean it up.
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An Act Enabling a Local Option for a Real Estate Transfer Fee to Fund Affordable Housing (H.3056 / S.1939) Allows municipalities to pass ordinances establishing a tax on high-dollar real estate sales to fund affordable housing.
An Act Promoting Access to Counsel and Housing Stability in Massachusetts (H.1952 / S.4360) Provides tenants and small landlords with counsel in eviction cases.
An Act to Promote Yes in G-d’s Backyard (H.2347 / S.1430) Allows houses of worship to build by-right multi-family housing on their property.
An Act to Establish an Accessory Dwelling Unit Trust Fund (H.1482 / S.969) Will assist low and moderate income homeowners with costs associated with the creation of an Accessory Dwelling Unit.
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An Act to Increase Opportunity by Ending Debt-Based Driving Restriction (H. 3662 / S.2368) Prohibits the RMV from suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid debts.
An Act Requiring Clean Slate Automated Record Sealing (H.1188 / S.1114) and An Act to Remove Collateral Consequences and Protect the Presumption of Innocence (H.1693 / S.1124) These bills will automatically seal CORI records when they are eligible for sealing.
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An Act to Protect Safety and Privacy by Stopping the Sale of Location Data (H.86 / S.197) Bans the sale of cell phone geolocation data, which can be used to track visits to sensitive locations like abortion clinics.
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An Act to Prevent Immigration Detention and Collaboration Agreements (H.1588 / S.1122) Bans two types of contracts between state and local law enforcement and ICE: 1) allowing state and local law enforcement to be deputized as ICE agents; and 2) allowing sheriffs to rent bed space for immigration detention.
An Act Relative to Massachusetts Identification Cards (H.3735) Expands the Work and Family Mobility Act by allowing undocumented residents the opportunity to obtain Mass IDs.
An Act to Protect the Civil Rights and Safety of All Massachusetts Residents (H.2850 / S.1681) Known as the Safe Communities Act.
An Act Ensuring Access to Equitable Representation in Immigration Proceedings (H.1954 / S.1127) Establishes an Immigrant Legal Defense Fund for individuals facing deportation.
An Act Protecting Tenants from Retaliation and Coercion (H.1994) Prevents landlords from targeting tenants based upon their immigration status.
An Act Prohibiting Employers from Attempting to Conceal Violations of State Wage, Benefit, or Tax Laws (H.2176) Allows AGO Fair Labor Division to fine employers found to have threatened to disclose immigration status to conceal employer wrongdoing.
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An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3598/ S.2328) Mandates the creation of content guidelines for all libraries and creates a standardized format for addressing book challenges.
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An Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care (H.2370/ S.1563) Expands access to abortion care later in pregnancy.
An Act Ensuring Access to Full Spectrum Pregnancy Care (H.1311 / S.761) Builds upon previous legislation by removing barriers to care.
