SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1634        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1412

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Liz Miranda

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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 regarding racism as a public health crisis in Massachusetts.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1634        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1412

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 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.