Priorities for the 194th Legislative Session

The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus is thrilled to announce our top ten legislative priorities for this year's session. Our agenda, crafted to address critical needs and systemic disparities affecting our communities, is focused on empowering and creating equitable opportunities for Black and Latino residents across the state. The priorities are all led by members of the Black and Latino Caucus. Most have corresponding legislation already filed and working through the committee process.

Learn more about our top ten legislative priorities below.

The Caucus seeks to translate the consensus findings of key legislative commissions into policy by curbing discriminatory facial surveillance, addressing systemic racism in the parole system, and supporting successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. These initiatives aim to build a more just and equitable criminal legal system rooted in accountability and opportunity.
Bills: H1946/S1053, H2030/S1128, H2609/S1661
We advocate for policies that safeguard civil rights and ensure fair treatment in legal proceedings for immigrant communities. Strengthening legal protections and reducing harmful collaboration with federal immigration enforcement are key to public health, safety, and justice.
Bills: H2580/S1681, H1954/S1127, H1588/S1122
We are committed to removing systemic barriers to financial advancement by expanding access to personal savings tools, eliminating punitive license suspensions for unpaid debt, and strengthening workforce opportunities for English language learners. These policies promote long-term financial independence and inclusive economic growth.
Bills: H1158/S737, H3662/S2368, H2080/S1326
We aim to protect working families from unjust financial practices by eliminating discriminatory pricing in auto insurance and prohibiting unfair broker fees in rental housing. These measures address long-standing inequities that disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income residents.
Bills: S790, H1263/S820, H449/S224
Our goal is to improve outcomes for youth by restructuring the justice system to reflect developmental science, support second chances, and eliminate outdated practices that perpetuate cycles of incarceration and recidivism. This includes expanding age-appropriate interventions and ensuring automatic record sealing.
Bills: H1923/S1061, H2051/S1087, H1811/S1114
We are focused on embedding equity into state health policy and improving health outcomes for historically underserved communities. This includes addressing indoor air quality, reducing delays in patient discharge, and establishing leadership and oversight to tackle health disparities statewide.
Bills: H1416/S901, H2427/S1546, H3986
To build a more inclusive economy, we support targeted investments in microbusinesses, especially those led by historically marginalized entrepreneurs. Our legislation fosters growth, encourages hiring of vulnerable populations through tax credits, and ensures access to necessary resources for small business growth.
Bills: H3111, H3108/S1958
We are working to ensure that cities and towns—particularly those that generate the most lottery revenue—receive a fair share of state funding. Equitable revenue distribution is essential to local development and public service investment. We support the establishment of a commission to study how lottery revenue is distributed and how the outdated formula can be updated equitably.
Bill: H434, H2252
We support innovative, equity-centered solutions to expand affordable housing options across Massachusetts. This includes removing restrictive zoning, supporting ADU development, and ensuring climate-resilient affordable housing investments reach the communities that need them most.
Bills: H1572/S962, H1482/S969, H3194/S1973
We support policies that ensure every resident—especially low-income households—has access to affordable broadband and is protected from exploitative data practices. Digital access and privacy are critical to economic opportunity, education, and personal security.
Bills: H3527/S2318, H1754, H104/S45