Statewide Legislative Platform

Each year, the MDSC’s Legislative Advocacy Task Force reviews the scores of disability-related bills proposed by our friends in the Massachusetts legislature. From among them, the task force selects approximately a dozen pieces of proposed legislation that are the most consistent with our mission of ensuring that individuals with Down syndrome in the state are valued, included, and given opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives.

This slate of bills is approved by the MDSC Board of Directors and is known as our Legislative Platform. Each bill may be filed in the House, the Senate or both. Given limited resources, the MDSC chooses one or two “priority bills,” toward which the MDSC is able to devote significant resources. The MDSC also puts its weight behind the 10 “support bills” on our statewide platform, though to a lesser degree.

(L to R) Katherine Craven, Jane Lane, Maureen Gallagher, John Anton,
Ways & Means Committee Chairman Brian Dempsey and Dr. Brian Skotko.

2011-2012 Priority Bills (187th Session of Mass. General Court)

• HB523 An Act to require national background checks. Lead Sponsor: Representative Martin J. Walsh
• HB1528 An Act relative to Down syndrome genetic test results. Lead Sponsor: Representative Tom Sannicandro

Click here for the complete MDSC 2011-2012 Statewide Legislative Platform

The late Massachusetts politician Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” Indeed, we at the MDSC understand that the most effective method for getting our bills made into law is for you to reach out to your local state representatives and senators. Let them know what you care about and how they should vote. Even a single call from a single constituent can easily put a bill on a legislator’s radar that wasn’t before, transforming disinterest into advocacy.

To find your legislator, visit the Massachusetts Legislature’s recently revamped website.

Testimony in support of bills on MDSC’s platform

HB523 An Act to require national background checks

• MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher
• Lisa Ching, Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
• Disabled Persons Protection Commission Executive Director Nancy A. Alterio
• Paul Willenbrock, Parent

HB1528 An Act relative to Down syndrome genetic test results

• MDSC Board Member Dr. Brian Skotko
• MDSC Executive Director Maureen Gallagher and Family Support Director Sarah Cullen
• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council Vice Chair Lora Brugnaro
• Melanie Perkins McLaughlin, Parent

For the most updated information on our two priority bills or to get involved in the MDSC's advocacy efforts, please contact us at timetospeakout@mdsc.org.