By Bob Katzen
On November 20, the House gave initial approval to a bill that would make October 25th Dwarfism Awareness Day in the Bay State. The legislation would not apply until October 25, 2024 since October 25, 2023 has already come and gone.
Despite repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call, sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro) failed to respond to requests asking him to comment on his proposal.
In the 2021-2022 session, the bill was approved by the House but died in the Senate. At that time, Hawkins, a retired teacher from Attleboro High School, said he filed the measure after a request by former student Vicki Ziniti who has dwarfism.
“She has organized an advocacy group of people with dwarfism and asked me about the possibility for ‘National Dwarfism Day’ in the commonwealth,” said Hawkins. Since graduating, Vicki has gotten her teaching certification and is a classroom teacher so you know we were excited to file this legislation and advocate for its passage.”
Supporters say that around the world people with dwarfism face social and physical barriers. They note that October 25 was chosen as the day for Dwarfism Awareness Day because it was the birthday of Billy Barty who was an American actor who had dwarfism, and in 1957 set up Little People of America—an organization that supports people with dwarfism as well as raising awareness about the issue.
DOXING (S 1116, H 1707 and S 971) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills that would make doxing illegal in Massachusetts. One of the measures defines doxing as “the knowing disclosure of personal identifying information of a person without that person’s consent that is intended to cause stalking, physical harm to person, or serious property damage, or to cause the person about whom the information pertains to reasonably fear for the physical safety of themselves or a close relation.”
“We are living in a time when a truly alarming amount of hate is being directed at individuals and marginalized groups of people, including identity-based bigotry,” said the sponsor of S 1116 Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “That hatred can manifest as dangerous doxing, publishing someone’s personally identifying information without their consent and with malicious intent. [The bill] establishing a right to freedom from doxing, would explicitly declare doxing to be unlawful and provide recourse for doxing through either a private cause of action or civil suit filed by the attorney general.”
“My commitment to the well-being and safety of the commonwealth is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover), the sponsor of H 1707. “In an era where technology connects us, it’s important to provide protections against doxing so that no one lives in fear of harassment, stalking, or harm. This bill will advance our shared responsibility to establish a safer and more respectful digital community for all.”
“I believe that everyone has a fundamental right to privacy online, which is why I filed legislation to protect individuals against incidents of doxing,” said Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover), the sponsor of S 971. “Ensuring privacy for all residents within the commonwealth, especially those most vulnerable to this malicious action, continues to be one of my legislative priorities.”