KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Massachusetts

H800 • 2025

An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters

An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters

Elections
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Bruce J. Ayers
Last action
2026-04-02
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters

An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 800) of Bruce J.
  • Ayers for legislation to ensure that polling places are accessible to handicapped and elderly voters.
  • Election Laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-02 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-08-29 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-1

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Election Laws

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  5. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters
By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 800) of Bruce J. Ayers for legislation to ensure that polling places are accessible to handicapped and elderly voters. Election Laws.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
×

Bill H.800

SECTION 1.

Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 35W the following new section:—

Section 35X. There is hereby established on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Polling Location Accessibility Fund, to promote improved involvement in the electoral process by physically-challenged and elderly individuals. Said fund shall consist of all monies appropriated therefore in each fiscal year and any funds donated to the commonwealth and designated for this purpose. All monies appropriated to said fund shall be made available for distribution upon appropriation.

All revenues credited under this section shall remain in said Polling Location Accessibility Fund to assist cities and towns of the commonwealth in paying all or part of any costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of polling locations that may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly and physically-challenged residents wishing to vote. Said fund may also be distributed to fund all or part of the costs associated with programs designed to increase the number of overall percentage of elderly and physically-challenged voters casting ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this fund shall be made on a competitive basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the office of the state secretary and all monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the state secretary.

The state treasurer shall deposit the fund in such a manner that will secure the highest interest rate available consistent with the safety of the fund and the requirement that all amounts on deposit be available for immediate withdrawal. All monies appropriated to said fund but unexpended at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain designated within said fund and be available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years for use consistent with this section. The fund shall be expended only for the purposes herein stated at the direction of the state secretary.

SECTION 2. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following new section: —Section 10A: The state secretary is hereby authorized and directed to establish a grant program for the purpose of assisting cities and towns in paying all or part of any costs associated with local initiatives to improve the physical condition of polling locations that may contain obstacles to access, or impediments to movement for elderly and physically-challenged residents wishing to vote. Grants made pursuant to this section shall include but not be limited to the substantial alteration and remodeling of a polling location for the specific purpose of better accommodating elderly and physically-challenged residents exercising their right to vote on election day. The state secretary may also make grants to increase the number or overall percentage of elderly and physically-challenged voters casting ballots at a state or federal election. All grants from this fund shall be made on a competitive basis pursuant to rules and regulations published by the office of the state secretary and all monetary awards shall be granted only at the discretion of the state secretary subject to available appropriations in the Polling Location Accessibility Fund established pursuant to section 35R of chapter 10 of the General Laws.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Close