By Bob Katzen

The Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on a bill that would require state boards and commissions to have, or explain why they do not have, a minimum percentage of members who are female, LGBTQ+ or an underrepresented minority. The percentages would change over time to match census data to reflect the population of Massachusetts.

Appointing authorities would be required to work to appoint diverse members, including developing and implementing plans to attract and recruit diverse members. Each public board and commission would report annually on membership information, to measure progress, to the governor’s office which would publish it.

“Increasing diversity in our state’s workforce and leadership, in both the public and private sectors, is both a moral and an economic imperative for our commonwealth,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “In Massachusetts we have several hundred public boards and commissions, each with a wide range of responsibilities and powers. Much progress has already been made to represent the diversity of Massachusetts, but more work still needs to be done to increase diversity in our state’s leadership.”

“This bill is about expanding opportunity and making sure we are drawing from the full range of talent and experience across our commonwealth,” said Rep. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover), the sponsor of the House bill. “When our public boards and commissions reflect the diversity of the people they serve, everyone benefits. We are not lowering standards — we are raising them by ensuring our decision-making includes the voices and perspectives that have too often been left out.”