As the Senate gets ready to take up Senate Bill 2956, An Act relative to archaic laws, please cosponsor and actively support Amendment #1, Repealing Archaic and Derogatory Statutes regarding People Experiencing Homelessness, filed by Senator Rausch.

The amendment would strike sections 63-69 of Chapter 272 from Massachusetts General Laws, thus eliminating derogatory references to people as “tramps” “vagrants” and “vagabonds” in the section dealing with "Crimes against chastity, morality, decency, and good order."

The amendment draws from language also found in Section 13 of Senate Bill 142 and House Bill 264, An Act providing a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness. The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities reported out Senate Bill 142 (also sponsored by Senator Rausch) favorably in January, and the bill now is awaiting action by Senate Ways and Means.

"Ms. Rausch moves that the proposed new draft be amended by striking out section 10 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

SECTION 10. Sections 62 through 69, inclusive, of said chapter 272 are hereby repealed."

At a time when inequality, racism, high housing prices, COVID-19, and other factors push people into homelessness, we must do all we can to decriminalize and destigmatize homelessness, housing instability, and poverty while also addressing root causes, providing upstream resources, and creating housing that is accessible and permanent.

P.S. Stay up to date with the Coalition’s advocacy initiatives by following us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. (Links also included at the top of this message.)