WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 1261

An Act providing for the creation of a Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis

Establishes a Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial via a 19-member Commission to design, locate, and educate the public about the virus, for up to 3 years, with no funding yet.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 1261

Summary: An Act Providing for the Creation of a Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial (Senate Docket No. 1261)

Status and Basics
- Bill Number: SD 1261
- Title: An Act providing for the creation of a Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial
- Status: House concurred; referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Classification: Proposed bill in the 2025-2026 session of the Massachusetts General Court

Purpose and Intent
- Establish a formal Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial to honor residents who died from COVID-19, were injured, or otherwise harmed by the virus.
- Encourage thoughtful reflection on the Pandemic’s circumstances in Massachusetts and promote public education about public health, viruses, vaccines, and disease control.

Key Provisions

1) New enabling framework
- The bill would insert a new chapter into the Massachusetts General Laws dedicated to creating and guiding the Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial.

2) Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial Commission
- Establishment: A dedicated Commission to oversee the creation and oversight of the memorial.
- Commission life: The Commission would exist for up to three years from its appointment.
- Chair: The Commission would select a Chairperson from among its members.

3) Commission Composition (19 members)
- Governor’s designee: 1
- Senate President’s designee: 1
- Speaker of the House’s designee: 1
- Hospital CEOs or their designees (from accredited hospitals with primary offices in Massachusetts): 5
- Representatives from specific professions:
- Massachusetts Nurses: 1
- Massachusetts Doctors: 1
- Massachusetts Educators: 1
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs): 1
- Firefighters: 1
- Police Officers: 1
- Homemakers: 1
- Food Service Workers: 1
- Citizens at Large: 3

4) Memorial scope and activities
- Publicizes the Commission’s mission and seeks ideas for:
- A fixed Massachusetts COVID-19 Memorial
- A suitable location
- A design suitable for display (described as a “statue type display”)
- Potential inclusion of a public health educational outreach program focused on viruses, vaccines, and other disease-control efforts.
- Deliverables: A report containing analysis, recommendations, and suggestions for the memorial’s design, location, and related educational outreach.

Impacts and Implications

  • A symbolic and educational project intended to acknowledge and memorialize the toll of COVID-19 in Massachusetts.
  • Creates a multi-stakeholder commission that includes healthcare leaders, public safety representatives, educators, frontline workers, and public members, potentially fostering broad public buy-in.
  • No specific appropriation or funding authorization is included in the bill text, so any costs would likely require separate funding legislation or allocations.
  • The memorial’s design and location would be determined through the Commission’s work and subsequent recommendations.

Timeline and Process

  • The Commission’s term is restricted to up to three years from appointment.
  • The bill directs the Commission to produce a final report with recommendations during its term.
  • Legislative actions indicate the bill progressed to a committee after House concurrence.

Notes

  • The bill references a prior similar measure filed in a previous session (Senate No. 2021, 2023-2024), indicating ongoing interest in establishing a statewide COVID-19 memorial.

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

Sign in to ask a question.