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S 2134

Relates to requirements for a building owner to refuse to renew a lease under the real estate industry stabilization code

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a permanent Massachusetts Commission on the Status of People Who Practice Islam to study Islamophobia, advise on civil rights, and propose policy changes.

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Bill Summary · S 2134

Summary — S.2134: "An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth"

Status snapshot
- Filed in the Senate (Docket No. 2386 / Senate No. 2134). Introduced/Filed January 17, 2025; read and referred to committees; passed the Senate (record shows action in June 2025) and was delivered to the House and referred to the House committee on Housing. Multiple committee hearings and scheduling actions are pending/recorded (hearings noted for October 29, 2025).
- Principal sponsors include James B. Eldridge and several other state senators and representatives.

Purpose
- Establish a permanent, statewide commission to study, advise, and serve as a resource on issues affecting American Muslims in Massachusetts, and to promote civil rights, inclusion, and protections against Islamophobia and related discrimination.

Key provisions

  1. Creation and composition of the commission (Chapter 3, new Sections 71–72)

    • A permanent "Commission on the Status of People Who Practice Islam" of 11 members:
      • Appointments: Governor (2), Attorney General (1), Speaker of the House (1), President of the Senate (1), Secretary of the Commonwealth (2), plus 2 each appointed by the senate and house chairs of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion.
    • Members must reside in Massachusetts and demonstrate commitment to the American Muslim community.
    • Members are subject to Chapter 268A ethics rules as special state employees.
    • Terms: 3 years; vacancies filled by the original appointing authority.
    • Open nomination window each year (Aug 1–Sept 16) using a uniform application.

  2. Governance, staffing, and funding

    • Commission elects its own officers; members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for expenses.
    • Commission may hire a paid executive director (appointed to a 3‑year term), employees and accept volunteers.
    • May accept gifts, grants, and federal funds; funds deposited in a separate account with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and expended according to law.
    • Authority to hold public meetings/hearings, request information from state agencies, establish offices (subject to appropriation), adopt by‑laws, and direct staff.

  3. Duties and studies

    • Serve as clearinghouse, promote research, inform public and institutional leaders, foster intra‑community cooperation, and recommend qualified American Muslims for governmental appointments.
    • Assess state agency programs and advise executive and legislative bodies on potential effects of proposed legislation on American Muslims.
    • Section 72 (study & report): specifically directs the commission to report on trends and data related to Islamophobia and discrimination; inventory existing efforts to combat Islamophobia; identify best practices from other jurisdictions; evaluate whether Massachusetts' hate‑crime statutes need amendment to better protect against Islamophobia; and recommend programs, implementation strategies, and legislation to address Islamophobia.

  4. Reporting

    • Annual report of findings, activities and recommendations due to the Governor and the clerks of the House and Senate on or before June 2 each year.

Who would be affected
- Directly: American Muslim communities across Massachusetts, appointed commission members, state agencies (which must respond to information requests), and any entities involved in implementing recommendations.
- Indirectly: municipal governments, law enforcement and prosecutorial offices (if hate‑crime or enforcement recommendations are adopted), state budget/appropriation processes (for staffing and office needs), and entities eligible for grants or partnership programs.

Procedural and fiscal notes
- The commission has statutory authority to accept external funds but establishing offices and staff is subject to appropriation—meaning future budget action may be required to fund full operations.
- The bill anticipates policy and legislative recommendations (including possible amendments to hate‑crime statutes), which would require separate legislative action to implement.

Bottom line
S.2134 creates a permanent, state‑level advisory and oversight body focused on the civil rights, inclusion, and protection of American Muslims in Massachusetts, with powers to research, report, advise, recommend appointments, and propose legislative and policy responses to Islamophobia and discrimination.

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

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