HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2912        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3922

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.

_________________

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 relative to environmental justice communities.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.

28th Middlesex

1/16/2019

RoseLee Vincent

16th Suffolk

1/28/2019

Carlos González

10th Hampden

6/13/2019

Stephan Hay

3rd Worcester

6/13/2019

Andres X. Vargas

3rd Essex

6/13/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2912        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3922

By Mr. McGonagle of Everett, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3922) of Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr., and others relative to an environmental justice policy.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

 

An Act relative to environmental justice communities.

 

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish forthwith an environmental justice policy, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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 21A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 28. (a) “Environmental justice population area”, a neighborhood whose annual median household income is equal to or less than 65 per cent of the statewide median or whose population is made up 25 percent individuals who are minorities, foreign-born, or lacking English language proficiency.

“Foreign-born”, individuals who identify themselves on federal census forms as non U.S. citizens at birth.

“Lacking English language proficiency”, households that, according to federal census forms, do not include an adult proficient in English.

“Neighborhood”, a census block group as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, except individuals who live in college dormitories or people under formally authorized, supervised care or custody.

(b) The office shall establish an environmental justice policy to identify and assist environmental justice population areas to ensure meaningful involvement in environmental decision making.

(c) Cities or towns where not less than 75 per the city or town’s total population reside in an environmental justice population area shall receive preference in competitive funding opportunities administered by the office.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect 30 days after its passage.