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H 4504

An Act making the charter of the county on Nantucket gender neutral

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Thomas Moakley

Bill H 4504 updates Nantucket County's charter to use gender-neutral language, promoting inclusivity and modern representation in local governance.

Enacted and laid before the Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4504

Summary of Bill H 4504: An Act Making the Charter of the County on Nantucket Gender Neutral

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 4504 aims to amend the charter of Nantucket County to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral terms. The primary intent is to promote inclusivity and reflect modern standards of gender representation in local governance.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several specific amendments to the Nantucket County charter:

  1. Amendment of Section 2.2:

    • The term "Selectmen" is replaced with "select board members" to ensure gender neutrality.
    • A new clause is added stating that the select board will have the same roles, powers, and authority as a traditional board of selectmen under any applicable laws.

  2. Amendment of Section 2.3:

    • The phrase "Board of Selectmen" is replaced with "select board" throughout the first paragraph to maintain consistency in terminology.

  3. Amendment of Section 2.8:

    • The term "Board of Selectmen" is again replaced with "select board" in subsection (d), further aligning the charter with gender-neutral language.

Affected Parties

This bill primarily affects:
- Local Government Officials: Members of the select board and their roles will be formally recognized in a gender-neutral manner.
- Residents of Nantucket County: The change reflects a commitment to inclusivity in local governance, which may enhance community engagement and representation.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: September 11, 2025
  • Committee Actions:
    • The bill was referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
    • A hearing was held on September 23, 2025, for written testimony only.
    • The committee reported favorably on October 14, 2025, and it was subsequently referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling.
  • Recent Actions:
    • On November 10, 2025, the matter was placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, rules were suspended, and the bill was read a second time and ordered to a third reading.

Conclusion

Bill H 4504 represents a significant step towards modernizing the governance language of Nantucket County by making it gender neutral. This change not only aligns with contemporary values of equality and representation but also sets a precedent for similar legislative efforts in other municipalities. The bill is currently awaiting further readings and potential passage.

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

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