Massachusetts Populations Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 6, 2025 MA S 2676 Expands Authorizations for Military-Connected Students Regarding School Transferal Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Nov. 5, 2025 MA H 4706 Establishes a State Caregiver Commission and Amends Regulations Regarding Home Care Bill Passed - House (153 - 1)
Oct. 22, 2025 MA H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 16, 2025 MA S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
July 31, 2025 MA S 2575 Increases Pay for Public Defenders Conference Report Adopted - House (150 - 6)
July 17, 2025 MA S 2550 Amends Various Laws Relating to Child Custody in Massachusetts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Feb. 12, 2025 MA H 58 Appropriates Funding for the State's Family Shelter System and Reduces the Number of Families Served Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 6, 2025 MA H 58 Appropriates Funding for the State's Family Shelter System and Reduces the Number of Families Served Bill Passed - House (126 - 26)
July 30, 2024 MA H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
June 12, 2024 MA H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
June 5, 2024 MA H 4707 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for State Affordable Housing Bonds Bill Passed - House (145 - 13)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Jan. 10, 2024 MA H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
July 28, 2022 MA H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
June 30, 2022 MA S 2988 Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
June 9, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
June 8, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
May 5, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
Feb. 10, 2022 MA H 4441 Expands Protections for Veterans Bill Passed - House (156 - 1)
Sept. 23, 2021 MA H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
June 30, 2021 MA H 3770 Requires the $400 Million Holyoke Soldiers' Home Construction Project be Completed with Unionized Labor Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 30)
June 10, 2021 MA H 3863 Amends the Redistricting Process to Redraw Congressional Boundaries Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
June 10, 2021 MA H 3862 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
June 30, 2020 MA H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
March 28, 2019 MA H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
March 13, 2019 MA H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
June 28, 2018 MA S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
June 27, 2018 MA H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
May 24, 2017 MA H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
June 1, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
May 12, 2016 MA S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
June 18, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24)
June 18, 2014 MA S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
June 18, 2014 MA S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
June 12, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
May 1, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
April 2, 2014 MA H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
May 30, 2012 MA H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
May 30, 2012 MA H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
April 25, 2012 MA H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
Sept. 15, 2011 MA S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
April 26, 2011 MA Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
March 2, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
Feb. 10, 2011 MA S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
April 28, 2010 MA Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
Jan. 28, 2010 MA H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 8, 2009 MA SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 17, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
July 29, 2008 MA SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
March 12, 2008 MA DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 6, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
Nov. 1, 2007 MA S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
Oct. 11, 2007 MA H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
Sept. 27, 2007 MA S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
April 25, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
Jan. 11, 2006 MA H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/06 S 2676 Expands Authorizations for Military-Connected Students Regarding School Transferal Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
11/05 H 4706 Establishes a State Caregiver Commission and Amends Regulations Regarding Home Care Bill Passed - House (153 - 1)
10/22 H 4644 Amends Reporting Requirements for the Department of Children and Families and Requires it to Establish a 5-Year Plan Bill Passed - House (159 - 1)
10/16 S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/16 S 2640 Expands Access to Disposable Menstrual Products in Public Schools, Homeless Shelters, Jails, and Prisons Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/16 S 2641 Requires the Manufacturers of Menstrual Products to Label the Ingredients of the Product on the Product's Box or Packaging Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
7/31 S 2575 Increases Pay for Public Defenders Conference Report Adopted - House (150 - 6)
7/17 S 2550 Amends Various Laws Relating to Child Custody in Massachusetts Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
2/12 H 58 Appropriates Funding for the State's Family Shelter System and Reduces the Number of Families Served Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/06 H 58 Appropriates Funding for the State's Family Shelter System and Reduces the Number of Families Served Bill Passed - House (126 - 26)
7/30 H 4750 Amends and Redefines Parentage Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
6/12 H 4672 Amends the Legal Definition of Parentage Bill Passed - House (156 - 0)
6/05 H 4707 Appropriates $6.5 Billion for State Affordable Housing Bonds Bill Passed - House (145 - 13)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Conference Report Adopted - House (123 - 35)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
1/10 H 4241 Prohibits Revenge Porn and Increases Penalties Bill Passed - House (151 - 0)
8/01 H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
8/01 H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - House (147 - 6)
7/28 H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passed - House (137 - 16)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
6/30 S 2988 Limits Use of Asset Forfeiture Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
6/09 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
6/08 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - House (119 - 36)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (117 - 36)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
5/05 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
2/16 H 4461 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Immigrants (120 - 36)
2/16 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Bill Passed - House (120 - 36)
2/10 H 4441 Expands Protections for Veterans Bill Passed - House (156 - 1)
9/23 H 4121 Establishes House Working Group on COVID-19 Bill Passed - House (131 - 28)
6/30 H 3770 Requires the $400 Million Holyoke Soldiers' Home Construction Project be Completed with Unionized Labor Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 30)
6/10 H 3863 Amends the Redistricting Process to Redraw Congressional Boundaries Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
6/10 H 3862 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 Fiscal Year and Supplements Existing Appropriations Bill Passed - House (131 - 29)
6/30 H 4818 Establishes a Special Commission to Reduce Racial Inequalities in Maternal Health Bill Passed - House (159 - 0)
3/28 H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
3/13 H 140 Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy for Minors Bill Passed - House (148 - 8)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - House (119 - 30)
6/28 S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
6/27 H 4664 Prohibits Gender Conversion Therapy Bill Passed - House (137 - 14)
5/24 H 3034 Limits the Use of Prison Labor Bill Passed - House (120 - 35)
6/01 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - House (116 - 36)
5/12 S 735 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
6/18 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (124 - 24)
6/18 S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
6/18 S 2132 Establishes Labor Standards for Domestic Workers Bill Passed - House (126 - 22)
6/12 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
5/01 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
4/02 H 4026 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - House (125 - 24)
11/19 Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
11/19 S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
5/30 H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
5/30 H 3986 Authorizes Child Care Workers to Form Labor Organizations Bill Passed - House (117 - 32)
4/25 H Amdt 804.1 Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards Amendment Adopted - House (123 - 33)
9/15 S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
4/26 Amdt 749.1 Collective Bargaining Restrictions Amendment Adopted - House (113 - 42)
3/02 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - House (123 - 30)
2/10 S 9 Establishing a Redistricting Commission Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
4/28 Sánchez Amdt Sending Public Benefits Amendment to Study Amendment Adopted - House (83 - 75)
1/28 H 4441 School Nutrition Standards Bill Passed - House (152 - 4)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
10/08 SB 2028 Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Plan Bill Passed - House (114 - 36)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/17 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - House (95 - 59)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
7/29 SB 800 Repealing Out of State Marriage Restrictions Bill Passed - House (119 - 36)
3/12 DeLeo Amdt Legislative Committee Chair Pay Raises Amendment Adopted - House (126 - 20)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/06 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - House (135 - 19)
11/01 S 1353 Reproductive Health Clinic Buffer Zones Bill Passed - House (122 - 28)
10/11 H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
10/11 H 4282 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (126 - 18)
9/27 Koutoujian Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestment to Any State with a History of Genocide Amendment Rejected - House (53 - 101)
9/27 Jones Amendment Expanding Pension Fund Divestments to Any State Sponsor of Terrorism Amendment Rejected - House (32 - 124)
9/27 S 2255 State Pension Fund Divestment from Sudan Bill Passed - House (154 - 2)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - House (40 - 117)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
5/24 H 4988 Nurse Staffing Bill Bill Passed - House (133 - 20)
4/25 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 112 Veto Override Passed - House (137 - 19)
1/11 H 1230 In State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (57 - 96)

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