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By Jordan King
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Massachusetts lawmakers may revive a bill that would give Muslim residents a formal voice in state government and seek to address discrimination against the community.
The proposal would create an 11-member commission to advise state leaders on issues affecting Muslim Americans, including education, health care, employment and civil rights. It would also study Islamophobia and recommend ways Massachusetts could respond to anti-Muslim hate.
Democratic state Sen. Jamie Eldridge introduced the bill, known as S.2134, but it did not reach the Senate floor before the formal legislative session ended July 31. Eldridge and state Rep. Vanna Howard, another sponsor, said they are considering changes before filing it again next session.
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A central part of the plan is inclusion in public life. The commission could recommend qualified Muslim Americans for government boards and other appointed positions, while reviewing how state policies and services affect Muslim communities. It would also connect those communities with state officials and help bring their concerns into policy discussions.
The commission would only advise the state. It could not pass laws, issue orders or force agencies to follow its recommendations. Its 11 members would be appointed by the governor, attorney general and legislative officials, and would serve without pay.
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Does Massachusetts Have Other Religious Commissions?
Massachusetts does not have another permanent commission representing people who follow a particular religion.
But the state did have a Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, which examined rising antisemitism, reviewed hate-crime laws and recommended ways the state could respond. Unlike the proposed Muslim commission, however, it was a temporary study panel rather than a permanent body representing Jewish residents.
State Sen. Michael Moore, one of S.2134’s petitioners, compared the two, telling Spectrum News 1 that the proposal “merely corresponds with other commissions we have,” pointing to the antisemitism panel and commissions serving Asian American, Black and LGBTQ residents.
Those other commissions are based on race, ethnicity or sexual orientation rather than religion. Moore nevertheless said the Muslim commission would not give Islam a formal role in government.
“It’s not changing the Constitution. It’s not instituting Sharia law,” he said.
“It's really so we can have a better understanding of their community, how we can try to address any issues that they may be impacting them,” Moore added. “It's also to address what is the claim of Islamophobia, so fears of the Muslim community.”
Do Other States Have Similar Commissions?
Illinois has the closest state-level equivalent to the proposed Massachusetts commission.
The Illinois Muslim American Advisory Council was created by law in 2017 to advise the governor and lawmakers on issues affecting Muslim Americans and immigrants. The 21-member council also works to increase Muslim civic participation and strengthen ties between Muslim communities and state agencies.
Other states have created commissions for related communities, although they are based on ethnicity or ancestry rather than religion. Maryland has a Governor’s Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, while Michigan has a Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs that advises the governor on discrimination, access to state services and other community concerns. These panels represent people of different faiths.
Washington lawmakers also considered creating a commission for Middle Eastern and North African Americans during the 2026 legislative session, introduced in January 2026, but the bill remained in committee and did not advance to become law.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Cristina Diciu.
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