Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

On Wednesday, June 23, the Massachusetts Transportation Committee will hold a hearing for H.3456/S.2289 An Act relative to work and family mobility during and subsequent to the COVID-19 emergency. The Committee will hear testimony from legislators, law enforcement, impacted individuals, and other supporters.

Hundreds of supporters are anticipated to attend and watch the hearing virtually, drawing from a broad, diverse, and growing coalition including local organizations such as The Driving Families Forward Coalition and The Welcome Project.

Representatives Christine Barber (D-Somerville) and Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield) will testify in support of this critical legislation, along with Senate bill sponsors Senators Brendan Crighton (D- Lynn) and Adam Gomez (D-Springfield), and the Driving Families Forward Coalition.

This bill would allow all qualified drivers, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard Massachusetts driver’s license. Driving is a key tool of economic mobility, and having a driver’s license allows people to safely get to work, drive their kids to school, and participate in their community.

Current state law includes two license options for all Massachusetts’s drivers: the standard license and the REAL ID. Under this bill, all people would be able to apply for a standard Massachusetts license, regardless of their federal immigration status. Applicants would have to pass standard vision and road tests, submit comprehensive documents about their identity and residency, and purchase auto insurance.

The hearing starts at 2:00 p.m. on June 23. To watch, find the live-stream of the hearing listed under “Hearing & Events” on the MA legislature website at https://malegislature.gov.

— Office of Representative Christine Barber