HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3703        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2267

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Jon Santiago and Christopher J. Worrell

_________________

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 regarding racism as a public health crisis in Massachusetts.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Jon Santiago

9th Suffolk

1/17/2023

Christopher J. Worrell

5th Suffolk

8/23/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3703        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2267

By Representatives Santiago of Boston and Worrell of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2267) of Jon Santiago and Christopher J. Worrell that the commissioner of the Department of Public Health declare racism as a public health crisis and direct the Office of Health Equity to develop policies to dismantle systemic racism impacting health.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act regarding racism as a public health crisis in Massachusetts.

 

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. The commissioner of the Department of Public Health shall declare racism as a public health crisis, and shall direct the Office of Health Equity to develop policies to dismantle systemic racism impacting health; including, but not limited to, the implementation of a health equity audit of services provided by the Department of Public Health, increasing health data transparency regarding race/ethnicity, and establishing programs focused on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases disproportionately impacting communities of color. The Office of Health Equity shall submit an annual report to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and the Legislature on the state of systemic racism impacting public health.