HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1074        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 605

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marcus S. Vaughn

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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 school mascot name changes.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1074        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 605

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act relative to school mascot name changes.

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

Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 37R the following section:-

Section 37S. (a) For the purposes of this section “school branding” shall mean any name, symbol or image used by a school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, team name, slogan, motto or other identifier.

(b) Prior to any change in school branding where the current school branding references any person, group of persons, organization, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, the school committee for the school district that the school belongs to shall hold a hearing on the proposed school branding change. The hearing shall be open to the public and at least 1 representative of the group, organization or identity referenced in the school branding shall be in attendance at the hearing and shall be given the opportunity to speak on the proposed school branding change.

(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out this section.