Senate, November 17, 2025 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 322) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 371) of Adam Gomez, Mike Connolly and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote racially inclusive curriculum in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 412) of Liz Miranda and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a permanent commission on American Indian and Alaska Native education; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 444) of Rebecca L. Rausch and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to celebrate and teach Native American culture and history, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2689).
Sen. Robyn Kennedy
Sponsored bills
By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 761) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure access to full spectrum pregnancy care. Financial Services.
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 245) of Adam Gomez, Robyn K. Kennedy and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 340) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Michael J. Barrett, Cindy F. Friedman, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to healthy youth. Education.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes Berlin's local government structure by requiring its select board to have five members elected by all town voters (at-large), rather than under previous rules. At the first election after the bill takes effect, three members will be chosen with staggered terms: one serving three years, one two years, and one one year. Subsequent elections will then select all five members for three-year terms. The change applies directly to Berlin's town governance and voting process.
Maddy summarySD 141 protects access to library materials in Massachusetts public and school libraries by requiring that materials remain available during challenges and setting clear standards for their selection. It directly affects school librarians, school committees, and students by mandating that library materials must be age-appropriate, serve an educational purpose, and not be removed based on personal, political, or doctrinal views. Key provisions include requiring written library policies aligned with American Library Association standards, ensuring challenged materials stay on shelves until a school committee vote, and prohibiting disciplinary action against librarians who select materials in good faith. The bill also expands student expression rights to include "receiving information" through school libraries, reinforcing access to educational materials.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 616) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Marcus S. Vaughn, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to ivory and rhonoceros horn trafficking. Environment and Natural Resources.
Senate, November 6, 2025 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill regarding free expression (Senate, No. 2328),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2696).
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 195) of Joanne M. Comerford, Cindy F. Friedman, Mark C. Montigny, Adam Gomez and other members of the Senate for legislation to eliminate harmful chemicals from children's products. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 210) of John J. Cronin, Cindy F. Friedman, Sally P. Kerans, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.