Advocacy
Statewide Digital Equity Day - Wed. June 25, 2025
The Alliance for Digital Equity of Western Mass is co-organizing a statewide Digital Equity Advocacy Day with our coalition partners across the state and with legislators who authored digital equity legislation (MLRI, the Alliance, VinFen, City of Boston, the T-Med Coalition, Healthy Aging Collaborative, and Tech Goes Home). It will be held on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, in Boston at the Statehouse, in room #437, and there will be activities in local legislative districts as well. More info.
Legislative Focus
Based on Alliance member feedback and input from our regional and statewide partners, the Alliance is promoting two digital equity bills in the Massachusetts Legislature in 2025.
Affordable Low Cost $15/Month Internet Bill
S.2318: Sen. Payano
H.3527: Rep. Mendes
Supported by the Alliance and our partners: Mass Law Reform Institute (MLRI), City of Boston, MetroNorth Workforce Board, VinFen, and the T-Med Coalition, of which Baystate is also a member, and with input from MBI.
- Authored by Virginia Benzan, MLRI.
- View the bill on malegislature.gov
- One-page education flyer on this bill
- Slide presentation about the bill & issue – Virginia Benzan
Statewide Credentialing Program Commission for Digital Navigators
H.100: Rep. Sabadosa
Health-related digital navigation and the commission is referenced in two larger telehealth bills:
Led by the Alliance, with support from our partners: Mass Law Reform Institute (MLRI), City of Boston, MetroNorth Workforce Board, VinFen, and the T-Med Coalition, of which Baystate is also a member, and with input from MBI.
- Authored by the Alliance and its members.
- View the bill on malegislature.gov
- Download the one-page education flyer on this bill. Developed by the Alliance and Transit Authority Figures.
- Slide presentation on the bill and digital navigation – Kathy Bisbee
Resources for Advocacy
The Process
The process we can expect from our partner, Sophie Hansen, Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at VinFen. Edited thanks to Northampton Open Media.
How a bill becomes a law (the process in Massachusetts)
Engage Legislators
W. Mass Legislator contact list
Sample letter to ask for your legislator to co-sponsor bills
Take Action
In the coming weeks and months, the Alliance is looking to its partners to secure cosponsors for these bills and prepare for educational efforts with the legislative committees that will be considering them.
Sample letter to ask for your legislator to co-sponsor bills
