Resolution in support of H. 3115 "An Act Ensuring Equitable Representation in the Commonwealth". On motion of Councilor Flynn and Wu, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
All those in favor, please indicate by saying. I suppose the ayes have it. The docket has passed. It's been adopted. Madam Clerk, would you now please read docket 1081? Certainly. Docket 1081 Council planning will offer the following resolution in support of House Bill 3115 an act ensuring equitable representation in the Commonwealth. Thank you. The Chair now recognizes the District Council from South Boston Councilor Ed Flynn. The floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to the Council for co-sponsoring this resolution with me and my colleagues in the City Council that have done a lot of work as well on this important issue. This is an issue that both of us and our colleagues have spoken on and supported in the past, and we want to send our support again at this time. We know that different communities have different needs and that there are many different ethnic subgroups within a large racial group. Right now, state agencies are not required to collect. Disaggregated data on race and ethnicity and demographic data often do not reflect the diversity within a racial group. For example, our AAPI residents oftentimes don't have the option to fill out which ethnicity they are, whether they are Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian or other ethnic subgroups. And that data gets swamped together under one racial group. Despite the diversity within the AAPI community. 83115, sponsored by Representative Jackie Chan of Quincy, would require state agencies to collect and publicize data to major ethnic groups within the Asian Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Latino or White Communities groups. However, this bill also clarifies that individuals are not required to fill out this information. It mandates that people cannot be denied services for not choosing to participate. Any personal information is kept confidential and protected by state and federal privacy laws. Data that specifies ethnic subgroups would allow us to better understand the different needs between ethnic groups. And without that data, the needs of the most underserved groups are often rendered invisible. With the rise of hate crimes against the AAPI community throughout the state, but also throughout the country. It is critical that we change policies and support the AAPI community. Communities of color and immigrants. And as many of you know, I'm proud to represent a large AAPI community. This bill would be would be a meaningful step in creating better visibility, insight and understanding into the lived experiences of our diverse communities, which will allow government agencies and health and social service providers to better serve their population. I hope that we can pass this resolution today so that we can send our support for this bill to the State House and ensure that our communities are represented fairly in equitably. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilor Flynn. The chair now recognizes the at large council from Rosendale and co-sponsor Councilor Michelle Liu. The floor is yours. Thank you. Thank you to Councilor Flynn, as always, for your leadership on this and for the state representative for moving this forward again. This has been now refiled and truly represents the needs and urgency of community organizations and advocates who have been pushing for the disparities within AP sub communities to be fully transparent and revealed so that everyone's not just hidden underneath and average and invisible. So I look forward to continuing to support this and pushing for this at the State House. Again, I know it has faced some some challenges that are wrapped up in politics, but this is not about politics. It is about collecting the data as a city already does, as other entities already do, that allow us to fully understand and therefore direct resources to our communities in the way that are needed. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Wu, would anybody else wish to speak on Docket 1081? Would any councilors wish to add their name as a co-sponsor? Madam Clerk, please add councilors Arroyo. Councilor Baker. Councilor Bach Council Braden. Councilor Campbell Councilor Edwards Councilor Siby George Councilor. Flour City Councilor me here please add the chair as well and councilors Flynn and will seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket zero one excuse me 1081 All those in favor please indicate by saying I oppose nay, the ayes have it. The docket is hereby adopted. Madam Clerk, would you now please read docket 1082.