Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation that would establish a permanent state commission focused on American Muslims, granting the panel a broad advisory role that would include recommending Muslims for government appointments, reviewing state agency practices and weighing in on proposed legislation.
The proposal, Senate Bill 2134, is formally titled the “Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth.” It was introduced by Democratic state Sen. James Eldridge and has more than a dozen co-sponsors. A companion measure, House Bill 3351, was introduced by Democratic state Rep. Vanna Howard.
Under the Senate proposal, Massachusetts would create a permanent 11-member “commission on the status of people who practice Islam.” Members would be selected by several of the state’s most powerful elected officials, including the governor, attorney general, House speaker, Senate president and secretary of state, along with legislative committee chairs.
Members would serve three-year terms and must live in Massachusetts and have “demonstrated a commitment to the Muslim American community.”
One provision attracting attention gives the proposed commission a direct role in identifying potential government appointees. The legislation directs the panel to “identify and recommend qualified American Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government,” including seats on government boards and commissions. The commission would make recommendations, however; the bill does not give it authority to appoint candidates itself.
BREAKING: Massachusetts moves to create a “Muslim Commission” to help place Muslims in government and shape state policy.
The bill orders it to “identify and recommend qualified American Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government.” pic.twitter.com/lBOVF4gz8Q
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) August 11, 2026
The commission’s reach would extend beyond government appointments. It would be authorized to assess programs and practices throughout Massachusetts state agencies based on their effects on American Muslims and advise executive and legislative bodies about how proposed laws could affect Muslim residents.
It would also serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups on issues concerning the Muslim community. The proposed body would have additional powers to conduct public meetings and fact-finding hearings, establish offices subject to appropriations and recommend policies to state and local government officials.
State agencies could also be asked to provide the commission with information and assistance it requires to carry out its duties. Funding provisions in the legislation could give the commission access to money from outside the normal state appropriations process.
The bill states that the commission could “accept and solicit funds,” including gifts, donations, grants, bequests and federal funds. Those funds would be held in a separate account through the secretary of state’s office and spent by the commission in accordance with state law.
The commission would serve as a “liaison between government and private interest groups.”
And it could “accept and solicit funds,” including “gifts, donations, grants, or bequests” — while hiring a paid executive director and staff. pic.twitter.com/jNRE2mg7EX
— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) August 11, 2026
Although commission members themselves would not receive salaries, they could be reimbursed for customary expenses. The commission would also employ a paid executive director, along with employees and volunteers. The executive director would be appointed to a three-year term.
Another section would task the commission with examining Islamophobia and discrimination in Massachusetts. That work would include tracking relevant incidents, studying existing anti-discrimination efforts, examining approaches used elsewhere and evaluating whether Massachusetts’ hate-crime laws should be changed to provide greater protection against Islamophobia and similar forms of hatred.
Eldridge has defended the proposal as a civil-rights and inclusion measure, arguing that Muslim residents contribute to Massachusetts as health care workers, educators, business owners, students and civic leaders. He has said the commission would give the state a better understanding of challenges facing those communities.
The measure has already cleared an important legislative hurdle. The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight voted 5-0 to recommend that the Senate bill pass, with one member reserving his rights.
The Massachusetts Legislature’s official tracker currently lists S.2134 as referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, where it has remained since January 12, 2026. It has not yet become law.
