HOUSE  .   .   .   .   .   .   .  No. 4555

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, March 17, 2022.                         

The committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Bill relative to the creation of a women's rights history trail (House, No. 3379, changed), reports recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor the accompanying bill (House, No. 4555).

For the committee,

AARON MICHLEWITZ.

      FILED ON: 3/17/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4555

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to the creation of a women's rights history trail.

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 6C of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 78. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary, in conjunction with the executive director, shall develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail program, which shall include: (i) designating properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suffrage; and (ii) promoting education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, the term “executive director” shall mean the executive director of the office of travel and tourism.

(b) The secretary and executive director shall produce and disseminate appropriate educational materials regarding the Women’s Rights History Trail program, which may include, but not be limited to: (i) handbooks; (ii) maps; (iii) exhibits; (iv) uniform signs; (v) interpretive guides; and (vi) electronic information.

(c) The executive director shall develop vacation itineraries based on the Women’s Rights History Trail program, which shall identify: (i) surrounding attractions; (ii) restaurants; (iii) farms; (iv) lodging; and (vi) other exhibits or places of entertainment as may be a part of the historical theme linking the properties and sites in the Women’s Rights History Trail program.

(d) The secretary may erect and maintain signs on the state highway system or trails designated pursuant to this section; provided, that any trail designation shall be of a ceremonial nature and the official names of such highways shall not be changed as a result of such designations.

(e) In developing and implementing the Women’s Rights History Trail program, the secretary shall consider the recommendations of the Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force.

SECTION 2. (a) There shall be established, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, the Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the Women’s Rights History Trail program established in section 78 of chapter 6C of the General Laws. The task force shall consider, in making such recommendations, sites that: (i) are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suffrage; (ii) are geographically diverse; and (iii) commemorate individuals who reflect racial, ethnic, cultural and economic diversity.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following 13 members: the chairs of the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development, who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member to be appointed by the president of the senate; the minority leader of the house of representatives, or their designee; the minority leader of the senate, or their designee; the chairs of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, or their designees; the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, or their designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts office of travel and tourism, or their designee; the executive director of the commission on the status of women, established pursuant to section 66 of chapter 3 of the General Laws; 1 member to be appointed by the commission on the status of women, established pursuant to said section 66 of said chapter 3; and 1 member who is a representative of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

(c) The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than January 1, 2023.