Driver's Licenses For All Bill Passes House of Representatives

08:36AM / Friday, February 18, 2022Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H.4461 An Act relative to work and family mobility, filed by Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield) and Christine Barber (D-Somerville), enabling all Massachusetts residents to apply for a Standard driver's license regardless of immigration status.

An issue worked on by advocates for 18 years, Representative Farley-Bouvier made it her number one priority.

"I am deeply appreciative for the bold leadership of Speaker Mariano who is the first House leader to take up a major immigration bill in over two decades," said Representative Farley-Bouvier. "Together with the inspiring work of the Driving Families Forward coalition, the House Progresive Caucus, and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, we were able to get to this milestone in passing this commonsense bill."

The bill allows all Massachusetts residents to apply for a standard driver's license, regardless of federal immigration status. To apply for a standard driver's licenses, applicants must provide proof of identity and proof of residency in Massachusetts.

"The Work and Family Mobility Act will make Massachusetts roads safer and more accessible for all, ensuring all drivers have the same safety training, standardized identification, and insurance." continued Farley-Bouvier.

The standard Massachusetts driver's license is different from the REAL ID and does not allow license holders to fly or to access federal buildings, per REAL ID federal guidelines.

Massachusetts would not be the first state to implement this policy. 16 other states, plus the

District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have all implemented the policy to allow all residents to receive driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. Neighboring Connecticut, New York and Vermont all have this policy in place.

"The Work and Family Mobility Act is a step towards making Massachusetts a more equitable and supportive home for all. Immigrants without federal status are integral members of our local communities and our larger Commonwealth; they are your neighbors, they work in your downtowns, their children go to school with your children, they get their medicine at the same pharmacy as you, but doing these same actions you do is made even more difficult and fearsome while they drive without proper driving credentials" Farley-Bouvier further added.

The passage of this bill will be a revenue gain for the commonwealth with over $5 million per year in RMV fees and taxes according to Mass Budget and policy. And it will help all drivers as with a larger pool of insured drivers, rates will decrease. It also protects any driver from the particularly unfortunate experience of getting in a collision with an uninsured driver.

"This bill is good for all of us," said Farley-Bouvier. "Every driver, you or anyone in your family, is safer when all drivers are trained, licensed and insured.

The bill is now headed to be voted on in the Senate.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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