WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 2321

An Act to ensure a complete, accurate, and equitable census count

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Becca Rausch

Massachusetts creates a dedicated Census Equity Commission (29 members) to lead statewide outreach, address undercounts, and safeguard an accurate, inclusive count.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 2321

Summary: An Act to Ensure a Complete, Accurate, and Equitable Census Count (SD 2321)

Overview

  • Purpose: To establish a Massachusetts framework aimed at achieving a complete, accurate, and equitable census count, with a focus on undercounted communities and populations such as people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, non-English speakers, and residents in subsidized housing or rural areas.
  • Status: House concurred
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Legislative intent: Create a dedicated state-level body and outreach machinery to improve census participation and reduce undercounting in the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

Chapter Creation

  • Inserts a new Chapter 57A, titled “Census Equity and Accuracy,” into the General Laws.

Definitions

  • Census day: The counting deadline as defined by Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
  • Persons experiencing homelessness: Broad definition including those without fixed nighttime residence, those in shelters, motels, cars, parks, or other non-traditional living arrangements.
  • Undercounted communities: Groups historically undercounted in censuses, including communities of color, immigrants (documented or not), non-native English speakers, low-income residents, people with disabilities, veterans, youth under 16, residents of rural areas, and residents in subsidized housing, among others.

Massachusetts Census Equity Commission (Section 2)

  • Establishment: A 29-member commission within the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  • Chair: Secretary of State (or designee).
  • Composition: Includes the Attorney General, legislative chairs (Election Laws and Redistricting), minority leaders, regional and local government representatives (city councils of Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, New Bedford; select boards in Barnstable, Greenfield), commissioners (DESE; Office for Refugees and Immigrants), immigrant and homeless advocacy groups, faith and minority business representatives, and legislative appointees representing diverse groups (including Wampanoag tribe, youth, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, renters, and tenants).
  • Appointments aim to ensure geographic, cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity.

Outreach Programs (Section 3)

  • Duties: Develop and implement census outreach to increase awareness, educate residents about the importance of the count, address fears about participating, and actively engage undercounted communities.
  • Strategies: School programs, partnerships with nonprofits/community groups, and a multilingual, multi-media campaign.
  • Expertise: The commission may solicit experts and form working groups as needed.

Administration and Coordination (Sections 4–5)

  • Coordination: The Secretary of State’s office provides administrative support and coordinates with state agencies and local governments to implement outreach effectively.
  • Term of Commissioners: Four-year terms, with protections to avoid term ends during the 24 months before census day and the 6 months after.
  • Compensation: Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
  • Staffing: The commission may hire a director and assistant director by majority vote.

Impact and Implementation

  • Targeted Focus: A formal, centralized effort to address barriers to accurate counting, particularly for groups historically undercounted.
  • Resource Implications: Administrative support and potential hiring of leadership (director/assistant) within the commission; no compensation for members but expense reimbursements allowed.
  • Timelines: Terms structured around Census Day, with protections during critical pre- and post-census periods to maintain continuity and focus.

Legislative History

  • Similar matter previously filed in a prior session (S. 432 of 2023-2024).
  • Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Election Laws; House concurred on March 10, 2025.

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

Sign in to ask a question.