SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1119        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 291

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Barbara A. L'Italien, (BY REQUEST)

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to prohibit the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Linda Thomas

290 Pleasant Street Tewksbury, MA 01876

 

Beth Cowett

3204 Archstone Avenue Tewksbury, MA 01876

 

John W. Scibak

2nd Hampshire

2/2/2017

Elizabeth A. Malia

11th Suffolk

2/3/2017

José F. Tosado

9th Hampden

2/3/2017

William N. Brownsberger

Second Suffolk and Middlesex

2/6/2017

Michelle M. DuBois

10th Plymouth

2/10/2017

Jack Lewis

7th Middlesex

3/20/2017

Ruth B. Balser

12th Middlesex

4/11/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1119        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 291

By Ms. L'Italien (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 291) of Linda Thomas, Beth Cowett, John W. Scibak, Elizabeth A. Malia and others for legislation to prohibit the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act to prohibit the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 97 the following new section:-

                Section 98. Prohibition on the use of Native American mascots to by public schools in the Commonwealth.

(a)As used in this section, “Native American mascot” means

a.A name, symbol, or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian tribe, individual, custom, or tradition that is used by a public school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, or team name

b.The use of the team name “Redskins, “Savages,” “Indians,” “Indianettes,” “Chiefs,” “Chieftains,” “Braves,” or “Redmen.”

(b)As used in this section, “public school” means a school or program operated by a school district, and education service district, or a public charter school.

(c)The use of any Native American mascot by a public school in the Commonwealth is prohibited.