SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2211

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

SENATE, April 25, 2019

The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by proposal, House, No. 81) of Mindy Domb and others for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to the oaths and affirmations of public office,- reports ought to pass with a  recommended new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2211) (Representative Garry of Dracut dissenting).

For the committee,
James B. Eldridge

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2211

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to the oaths and affirmations of public office.

A majority of all the members elected to the Senate and House of Representatives, in joint session, hereby declares it to be expedient to alter the Constitution by the adoption of the following Article of Amendment, to the end that it may become a part of the Constitution [if similarly agreed to in a joint session of the next General Court and approved by the people at the state election next following]:
 

ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
 

Article VI of the Amendments to the Constitution is hereby amended by striking out the third paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- Provided, that when any person shall decline taking said oath, the person shall make an affirmation in the foregoing form, omitting the word “swear” and inserting instead thereof the word “affirm;” and omitting the words “So help me God,” and subjoining, instead thereof, the words “This I do under the pains and penalties of perjury.”