Press Room

The Massachusetts Senate today took action to protect freedom of thought in Massachusetts schools and public libraries and safeguard open access to books and other educational materials as part of its Response 2025 initiative to respond to federal threats.

The Massachusetts Senate today took action to support public transit workers by stepping up penalties for people who assault them while they are on duty.

The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means today unanimously advanced legislation that improves the state’s oversight of the maturing cannabis industry by streamlining the state agency that regulates cannabis cultivators, processers, and retailers.

An Act modernizing the Commonwealth’s cannabis laws improves the state’s oversight of the maturing cannabis industry by reorganizing the Cannabis Control Commission, updating limits on licenses held by retailers, and modestly increasing the amount of cannabis that adults can possess for recreational use.

The Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously today to provide enhanced safety, stability and educational opportunities for military families. The legislation advanced today also positions the Commonwealth for greater federal defense investment and economic growth around its six military bases.

The Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance legislation that protects the fundamentally American right to freely access thought, writing and art through books and other materials. It also advanced a bill protecting public transit workers.

An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker ensures that workers on the MBTA, commuter rail lines, regional transit authorities, and other public transit systems are explicitly protected while doing their jobs and serving the public good.

An Act regarding free expression promotes freedom of information and freedom of thought in Massachusetts schools and public libraries. It creates responsible protocols for how books and other library materials are put on the shelves, and how local authorities can determine the appropriateness of a book if it is challenged.