Author: Cindy Friedman

Bill guards against political bias in library decisions, protects librarians from reprisals 

(BOSTON—11/13/2025) 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. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy which is tasked with leading the Response 2025 initiative, voted in support of the measure. 

As school libraries are increasingly faced with politically-charged debates over banning access to particular library books, the bill—An Act regarding free expression, S.2696—creates clear guidelines for how schools and libraries decide which books to make available, and how local leaders determine whether a book is appropriate or should be removed from the shelf. 

The legislation requires that school library materials be age-appropriate, serve an educational purpose, and be chosen based on a teacher or employee’s professional training—leaving aside personal, political, or doctrinal views which could affect their decision to place the book on the shelf. 

“The right to free expression is the cornerstone to a free society, and this bill protects librarians, authors and creators across the Commonwealth and their ability to do their jobs and share their ideas,” said Senator Friedman. “I’m proud of the Senate for once again taking action on a bill identified by the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy as a Response 2025 initiative. Together as a body, the Senate will continue to pass policies that defend the values we hold dear in Massachusetts.” … Read more.

Senate bill heightens punishments for assaults on MBTA, RTA, Commuter Rail employees 

(BOSTON—11/13/2025) 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. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voted to support the legislation. 

An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker, S.2697, responds to an increased number of assaults targeting workers on Massachusetts’ public transportation systems by ensuring a heightened minimum punishment.  

On the MBTA alone, workers in 2024 were targeted by 33 assaults with weapons and 72 physical assaults, according to testimony heard by the Legislature at a recent public hearing. The bill ensures that all transit workers are covered, including those who are not directly employed by the state, such as workers employed by Keolis, the state’s contracted commuter rail operator. 

Workers on the MBTA, commuter rail lines, regional transit authorities, and other public transit systems also face possible assault with bodily fluids, such as saliva. MBTA workers were targeted by 38 bodily fluid assaults in 2024. This legislation explicitly punishes bodily substance assaults in addition to other types of assaults. Convicted perpetrators of any such assaults would face a heightened minimum 90 day sentence or $500 fine. The maximum punishment is up to two and a half years in a county facility or up to a $5,000 fine. 

“Ensuring that our transit workers are safe on the job is essential, not only for their well-being but for that of their riders,” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy.… Read more.

Legislation to increase the accessibility of public library digital resources 

(BOSTON—11/13/2025) The Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously today to help Massachusetts public libraries more easily and accessibly provide in-demand digital resources such as e-books and audiobooks.   

An Act addressing challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections, S.2710, would create a special legislative commission to assess and address challenges faced by public libraries and digital resource collections. Over the last several years, e-books and audiobooks have become an increasingly prevalent resource used by library patrons, yet they have become a financial burden for already strained public libraries. 

The commission would be tasked with examining the evolving landscape of digital resources in public libraries, focusing on costs, access, privacy, and policy implications. 

“As our society has increasingly become more reliant on digital resources, our public libraries have adapted as well, providing a host of services to patrons digitally,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “As readers more frequently choose to read e-books on their personal devices, we should be exploring ways to increase access to these materials and ensure that people can read what they want with minimal wait times. I look forward to seeing the commission’s report should this bill continue to move through the legislature and be signed by the Governor.” 

The commission would study cost trends that affect libraries and the sustainability of electronic resources, as well as assessing how consumers use these resources. The commission is also tasked with researching expert opinions on the legal differences between digital licensing and traditional print use, identifying how these variations influence user experience and equitable access to diverse collections.… Read more.

Legislation also boosts investment opportunities for regional economy 

(BOSTON—11/6/2025) Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) and her colleagues in 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. 

An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military connected families, S.2676—also known as the EASE Act—would guarantee that a child of a military family would have a seat in the classroom at their current school in Massachusetts, even if their parent or guardian is temporarily transferred elsewhere on official orders. If a military family moves permanently and arrives in a Massachusetts community, the bill also requires a timely and seamless transition for students who receive special education services. 

To strengthen public safety and increase access to justice around military bases, the legislation allows certain information from the military to be admissible as evidence in state courts for people seeking temporary domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also allows for federal judges to transfer juvenile cases to Massachusetts courts for offenses that occur on military bases. Over the course of today’s debate, Senators adopted an amendment with bipartisan support that further directs National Guard leadership to track and report suicide data among veterans of the Massachusetts National Guard. Senators passed the entire bill with a 39-0 roll call. 

During the same session, the Senate passed An Act clarifying the duties of the adjutant general, S.2675, which writes into law that the Adjutant General—Massachusetts’ highest-ranking military officer—has command of all troops in the state National Guard while carrying out the orders of the Governor.… Read more.

Legislation restores critical financial aid funding for students, implements important transparency measures, and responds to federal actions 

(BOSTON—10/23/2025) Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) and her colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate today unanimously approved legislation that responsibly closes the books on Fiscal Year 2025 and advances policy proposals that would ensure integrity in government operations, support the families of former residents of state institutions, and guard student access to financial aid. 

Senators voted 39-0 to approve the closeout supplemental budget, S.2655, which seeks to reestablish public trust in county sheriffs’ offices by creating a Sheriff Fiscal Oversight Council to hold these offices responsible for spending goals and performance metrics. The bill also commissions an investigation of sheriffs’ Fiscal Year 2025 spending in response to sharp annual growth in the sheriffs’ spending deficits—more than 200 per cent in the last fiscal year alone. 

The legislation also shines light on a dark chapter of state history by allowing access to former resident records from more than 25 state-run institutions—many of them now closed—for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. The Senate’s proposal helps provide closure to families and recognize the dignity of former patients while remaining mindful of appropriate limits for personal privacy and sensitive medical records. 

As amended by the Senate, the bill restores $18.3 million in funding for student financial aid assistance ahead of the spring semester and proactively protects additional support for community college students earning degrees through the MassEducate program. A new Public Higher Education Student Support Fund ensures that a key stipend for books and supplies remains fully funded as the Senate reaffirms its commitment to universal higher education. … Read more.

Bill requires drivers to slow down, move over for utility workers and vehicle breakdowns 

(BOSTON—10/16/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today approved legislation improving the safety of drivers and telecom, gas, and electric utility workers with an expansion of the state’s Move Over law. 

Under An Act relative to the Move Over Law, S.2642, motorists would be required to slow down if they are approaching a stationary utility truck or a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder of a road or breakdown lane of a highway. Drivers on a highway with multiple lanes in each direction would also be required, if practicable, to change lanes to ensure greater safety for vehicles and individuals in the breakdown lane. The state’s existing Move Over law provides such protections for emergency response vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and tow trucks. 

“Expanding our Move Over law to cover more instances will provide greater safety to utility workers, as well as to drivers and passengers who experience a breakdown or other car troubles,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “Much like the existing law on the books, this update encourages drivers to change lanes if it is safe to do so, or if not, to reduce their speed to a safe level. Expanding the current law to provide more consistency will lead to safer outcomes, as there will now be far less exemptions to the Move Over law.” 

Utility workers often work in dangerous settings along busy streets.… Read more.

Legislation requires no-cost products in schools and shelters, requires clear disclosure of ingredients 

(BOSTON—10/16/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a pair of bills that advance its commitment to health equity by promoting safe and easy access to menstrual products. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voted in favor of both pieces of legislation.

One of the bills, S.2640, expands access to necessary products like tampons and pads in public schools, homeless shelters, and jails and prisons. The legislation requires that these disposable products be made available at no cost to people who need them.

The second piece of legislation, S.2641, promotes women’s consumer rights by requiring that manufacturers of menstrual health products clearly disclose and display a list of ingredients. The ingredients would be easily accessible on both retail packages and manufacturer websites.

“The Senate continues to lead on the issue of women’s health equity and expanding access to basic hygiene products for the over 50 percent of Massachusetts residents who menstruate,” said Senator Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “It is vital that we address the challenges that costs and other barriers present for individuals trying to obtain menstrual products, and this legislation is an impactful step forward in that effort. As this is now the third consecutive session that the Senate has passed legislation expanding access to and equity for menstrual products, I’m hopeful the House will take swift action this session to help move this forward to the Governor’s desk.”… Read more.

Nation-leading bill guards personal privacy and provides data protections for Massachusetts residents 

(BOSTON–09/25/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously approved the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, landmark data privacy legislation that is poised to lead the nation in consumer protections, keeping pace with a digital landscape that increasingly puts Massachusetts residents’ sensitive personal information at risk. Senators passed the legislation on a bipartisan vote of 40–0. 

The legislation, S.2608, establishes clear rights for Massachusetts residents regarding their personal data, including the right to know what information is being collected and the ability to opt out of having their data used for targeted advertising or sold to other companies. 

Protected data includes health care information; face scans and fingerprints; precise geolocation; information about a person’s religion or ethnicity; information related to a person’s immigration status; and information pertaining to a child. Additional enhanced protections apply to minors, including a full ban on the sale of a young person’s personal data. 

“Consumer data is the new digital gold, with technology companies tracking and selling all sorts of data that have no impact on their products or operations,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “Loose restrictions on the compilation and resale of personal data leaves Massachusetts residents vulnerable to bad actors nationwide and even worldwide. As we continue to talk about ways to protect our residents and defend our values, the passage of the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act shows the Senate’s commitment to ensuring anyone located in Massachusetts has a right to privacy and should be able to feel safe in our Commonwealth.… Read more.

Bill Sets Optimal Date for Voter Participation 

(BOSTON—09/18/2025) The Senate on Thursday enacted legislation setting next year’s state primary election date on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voted in support of the bill. 

The Legislature’s action is a standard step in the lead up to an election year to ensure the primary date complies with state and federal requirements. The legislation, H.4531, ensures that local clerks are given necessary time to send and process vote-by-mail ballots for Massachusetts residents, and gives election officials the ability to meet a required federal timeline for sending ballots to military servicemembers and citizens overseas. 

Standard deadlines associated with the election calendar are also set by the bill, such as a September 3, 2026 due date for recount petitions and a September 19, 2026 deadline for military and overseas voters to apply for absentee ballots for the general election. Next year’s general election is set by state law on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 

The Secretary of the Commonwealth last month recommended a September 1, 2026 primary date to the Governor, following which the Governor included the recommendation in a message to the General Court. 

The legislation was passed by the Senate a day after it was approved in the House of Representatives. Both branches of the Legislature enacted the bill on Thursday to send it to the Governor for her signature. 

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*Following this press release, the Governor signed this bill into law as Chapter 34 of the Acts of 2025, which makes the September 1, 2026 primary date official.

Legislation Strengthens Fentanyl Testing Access, Updates Nicky’s Law, and Aligns Rental Insurance Rules 

(BOSTON—9/18/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate approved three bills aimed at combatting the opioid epidemic, protecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and managing car rental costs for residents. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), voted in support of all three measures. 

The approved legislation expands protections for individuals using testing equipment to protect against fentanyl, updates an existing protection law to close an unintended gap for day habilitation participants, and changes car rental insurance requirements to reduce costs for Massachusetts residents. 

“Despite challenging times like these, we shouldn’t narrow our focus to only big-ticket items and miss opportunities to make meaningful improvements to our Commonwealth,” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “I think it’s important to state: the Massachusetts Senate will work to pass any bill, big or small, that strengthens protections for our residents. I thank my colleagues for their leadership on these issues, and I hope to see these bills finally advance to the Governor’s desk this session.” 

Protecting People Using Fentanyl Testing Equipment 

An Act relative to fentanyl test strips, S.1057, is intended to reduce the tragic toll of overdoses and make life-saving tools accessible to those who need them most. It explicitly exempts fentanyl testing equipment from the list of prohibited drug paraphernalia and expands liability protections to anyone who provides, administers, or uses the tests, including first responders.   

The legislation builds upon a 2024 law that provided criminal and civil liability protections for those in the harm reduction community who provide or use fentanyl test strips in good faith.… Read more.