Massachusetts lawmakers may create a permanent state commission for people who practice Islam.
The proposed commission would fight “Islamophobia,” promote unity among Muslim groups and recommend Muslims for government jobs.
Senate Bill 2134 and House Bill 3351 would create an 11-member commission on the status of people who practice Islam.
The Senate bill moved to the Senate Ways and Means Committee in January. The House version moved to the House Ways and Means Committee in December 2025. Both bills remain pending.
The Senate bill says the commission would serve as a state resource on issues that affect Muslims. It would research those issues and tell the public, the media, businesses, schools, health care providers and government officials about them.
It would also “foster unity” among Muslim groups by promoting cooperation and joint activities.
Another part of the bill would let the commission “identify and recommend qualified American Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions.”
The commission could review programs and practices in every state agency to see how they impact Muslims. It could also advise lawmakers and the governor on bills that may affect Muslims.
The commission could request information and help from any state agency.
It could hold hearings, create offices and make policy recommendations to state and local officials.
The proposal would also order the commission to study Islamophobia.
That study would track alleged cases of anti-Muslim bias, review state hate crime laws and recommend new programs and bills to combat Islamophobia.
The legislation does not define the term.
The commission could hire a paid executive director and other employees. The measure does not say how much the director would make or how much the commission would cost.
Commission members would not receive a salary. However, the state could pay back their expenses.
The commission could also seek private donations, grants, gifts, bequests and federal money.
State officials would appoint all 11 members.
The governor would appoint two. The secretary of state would appoint two. The attorney general, House speaker and Senate president would each appoint one.
The House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion would appoint the other four members.
The appointees would have to live in Massachusetts and show a commitment to the Muslim American community. The measure does not say they must practice Islam.
As written, the legislation contains a timing problem.
It says the commission must finish its first report on Islamophobia by November 30, 2026. However, another section says the law would not take effect until December 1, 2026. That's one day after the report would be due.
State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) filed the Senate bill. State Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) filed the House version.
Eldridge said the commission would help state officials understand problems that Muslims face.
“American Muslims in my district and across the Commonwealth enrich our communities as students, healthcare workers, educators, small business owners, and civic leaders," Eldridge said in a December 2025 statement. "This commission will help the state better understand and address the challenges they face, while strengthening inclusion and civic participation."
Howard said more than 131,000 Muslims live in Massachusetts.
“No person should face persecution for their beliefs, but for the over 131,000 members of our Commonwealth’s Muslim community, that isn’t the case right now,” Howard said.
The Massachusetts branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations supports the proposal. The group held a Muslim lobby day at the State House in June 2025 to build support for it.
Boston radio host Jeff Kuhner opposes the bill.
“It ends separation of church & state in favor of Islam," Kuhner posted on X. "STOP IT NOW!"
Lawmakers proposed a similar commission during the 2023-2024 legislative session. However, it never received a vote before the session ended.
