Bill > S504

This bill amends Massachusetts election law to enhance accessibility for voters with disabilities by requiring the state secretary to send an agent to inspect each polling place and early voting site at least once every four years to ensure compliance with federal and state accessibility laws. If an inspection reveals accessibility violations, the agent must promptly report these failures in writing to the state secretary and local city or town clerk. The local officials are then required to take immediate action to address the accessibility issues and submit a written compliance plan within 5 days. If the local jurisdiction fails to act, the state secretary can order compliance. The bill also mandates that the state secretary provide an annual written report to the state legislature detailing these accessibility inspection activities by December 31st each year. Additionally, the attorney general is empowered to file civil actions in superior court to enforce accessibility requirements, though this does not prevent individuals from pursuing their own judicial remedies. The overall aim of the bill is to proactively identify and rectify barriers that might prevent voters with disabilities from fully participating in the electoral process.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S504