Gender Parity on Public Boards and Commissions

Act to Ensure Gender Parity and Racial and Ethnic Diversity on Public Boards and Commissions (H4153)

Lead Sponsors: Rep. Patricia Haddad and Sen. Jason Lewis

The bill states that no person shall be appointed/reappointed to any board/commission if that appointment/reappointment would cause the number of members of the board/commission of one gender to be greater than one-half the membership of the board/commission plus one if the board/commission is composed of an odd number of members. If the board/commission is composed of an even number of members, then not more than one-half of the membership can be of one gender. The bill also requires that the racial and ethnic composition of each board and commission must, at minimum, reflect the percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in the general population. The bill also requires the Governor’s Office, working with the Mass. Commission on the Status of Women, to publish an annual report to track and measure progress.