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Bill

H 4781

An Act authorizing Bridgewater town charter amendment for gender neutral language

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dennis Gallagher

Authorizes Bridgewater charter to adopt gender-neutral language by replacing masculine pronouns with theirs/them in key sections; final effect requires majority voter approval.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4781

Summary: H.4781 - An Act authorizing Bridgewater town charter amendment for gender neutral language

Overview

H.4781 is a Massachusetts local-biscal bill that authorizes a charter amendment for the town (city known as the town of Bridgewater) to adopt gender-neutral language throughout its charter. The bill aims to replace masculine pronouns with gender-neutral forms to reflect inclusive language in official governing documents. The bill was introduced on November 26, 2025, and, after committee consideration, reported favorably and referred to the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee. The action reflects local approval steps that accompany charter changes.

Key Provisions (What the bill changes)

The bill amends several sections of Bridgewater’s charter to replace gendered pronouns with gender-neutral terms:

  • Section 1: Amends Section 2-3(c) by replacing “his” with “their.”
  • Section 2: Amends Section 2-12(a) by replacing “his” with “their.”
  • Section 3: Further amends Section 2-12(a) by replacing “him” with “them.”
  • Section 4: Amends Section 6-1 by replacing “his” with “their.”

Section 5 specifies the operation of these changes:
- Effective date: The act takes effect only upon approval by a majority vote at Bridgewater’s annual or special town election.

In short, the changes are limited to pronoun usage within specified charter subsections, shifting from masculine forms to gender-neutral language.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Affected Entity: The town charter of Bridgewater (the city known as the town of Bridgewater).
  • Impact: The charter’s legal language would be revised to use gender-neutral pronouns, aligning municipal governance documents with contemporary inclusive-language practice. There is no broadened substantive change to powers, duties, or finances beyond pronoun usage.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction: November 26, 2025.
  • Committee action: The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government reported favorably, with local approval noted.
  • Referral: After favorable reporting, the bill was referred to the Committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
  • Local approval mechanism: As a local charter amendment, final effectiveness relies on Bridgewater voters approving the change by a majority at an annual or special town election (Section 5).

Why this matters

This bill demonstrates a formal mechanism for updating municipal charter language to reflect gender-neutral standards, ensuring official documents and governing texts use inclusive pronouns without altering substantive governmental powers or processes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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