By Bob Katzen

Sen. Becca Rausch last week filed a bill that supporters say will enhance the safety and security of candidates for public office and other professionals by removing home addresses from ballots, nomination papers and other materials.

The measure also similarly would protect from disclosure personal contact information maintained by government entities on elected officials, judges, judicial officers, law enforcement personnel, public prosecutors, public defenders and state licensed professionals whose work subjects them to an elevated safety risk.

Supporters said that Massachusetts is the only state in the nation that unnecessarily puts people at risk by requiring candidates to put their street addresses on nomination papers and ballots.

“Amid harassment, intimidation, assault and cold-blooded murder of elected officials and their families, as well as health care professionals, law enforcement officers and others, we must do everything we possibly can to protect our existing public servants and make it safe for anyone to run for and serve in office,” said Rausch. “Notably, this is not a partisan issue, as figures spanning the political spectrum have faced terrible violence. I am proud to direct my deep expertise in elections and public records laws to the widely shared goal of safety and security for all by crafting and filing this comprehensive legislation.”