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H 4760

An Act enforcing accessibility for voters with disabilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 19 co-sponsors

Establishes regular inspections and mandatory, time-bound corrective actions to ensure polling places and early voting sites in Massachusetts are accessible to voters with disabili

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4760

Summary: H.4760 An Act enforcing accessibility for voters with disabilities (Massachusetts)

Overview

H.4760, introduced November 19, 2025, aims to strengthen enforcement of accessibility requirements for polling places and early voting sites in Massachusetts. The bill would add a new Section 24A to Chapter 54, establishing regular inspections, prompt corrective actions, compliance planning, regulatory standards, annual reporting, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure conformity with federal and state accessibility laws (notably the ADA).

Purpose and intent

  • Ensure polling places and early voting sites are accessible to voters with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law.
  • Create a formal process for monitoring, reporting, and achieving timely corrective actions when barriers are identified.
  • Provide a framework for consistent accessibility standards statewide, with oversight by the State Secretary and enforcement by the Attorney General.

Key Provisions

  • Inspections (a): The State Secretary (via an appointed agent) must inspect at least once every four years every polling place designated under section 24 and every early voting site designated under section 25B(b). Inspections evaluate compliance with applicable accessibility standards. Inspectors must provide written reports to the State Secretary and the city/town clerk detailing any non-compliance and barriers to access.

  • Immediate Action (c): Upon receipt of the inspection report, city or town officials must take “immediate action” to ensure access within 48 hours. This can include temporary measures (e.g., accessible entrances, signage, parking) while pursuing permanent solutions.

  • Compliance Plan (d): Responsible officials must submit a written compliance plan within a reasonable period, outlining corrective actions (temporary and permanent) and a timeline to achieve full compliance with applicable standards. Plans must reference the minimum standards set by the State Secretary’s regulations.

  • Non-Compliance and Penalties (e): If a locality fails to take immediate action or to submit a compliance plan, the State Secretary may issue an order to comply and may impose penalties as authorized by state law.

  • Minimum Standards and Regulations (f): The State Secretary must promulgate regulations defining minimum compliance standards for polling places and early voting sites, referencing federal standards (including the ADA) and outlining required corrective actions, including temporary measures.

  • Annual Reporting (g): By December 31 each year, the State Secretary must report to the clerks of the Senate and House on activities under this section, including inspections, identified non-compliance, corrective actions taken, and unresolved issues.

  • Enforcement (h): The Attorney General may bring civil action in Superior Court to enforce compliance, the compliance plan, or an order. This enforcement does not preclude other legal remedies.

Who is affected

  • Massachusetts cities and towns (polling places and early voting sites)
  • State Secretary (Administration of inspections, standards, and reports)
  • Attorney General (enforcement actions)
  • Voters with disabilities (beneficiaries of improved accessibility)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Inspections: at least once every four years per polling place and early voting site.
  • Immediate action: within 48 hours of report.
  • Compliance plan: submitted after a reasonable period, with timelines.
  • Regulatory development: State Secretary to establish minimum standards.
  • Annual reporting: due by December 31 each year.
  • Enforcement: civil actions available through the AG.

Legislative status

  • Reported favorably by the Committee on Election Laws on November 19, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means the same day.
  • New draft of House 820 associated with the bill.

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

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