LYNN — A bill that allows all residents of Massachusetts, including undocumented immigrants, the ability to earn a driver’s license passed in the State House by a 120-36 vote on Wednesday.
State Reps. Daniel Cahill and Peter Capano, both Democrats from Lynn, voted in favor of the legislation.
Cahill said he received feedback from law-enforcement officials and members of the public on the bill and said he believes it would make streets safer.
“Lynn vehicle operators have had to deal with accidents or incidents and those without a license are oftentimes not held accountable,” Cahill said. “After much consideration with law enforcement and members of the public, I strongly support this bill.”
Cahill also criticized lawmakers in Washington, D.C. for lack of action on immigration reform, saying that individual states have had to take matters into their own hands.
“Lawmakers in D.C. have been doing nothing and are in gridlock,” he said. “The state has had to make its own decisions.”
Capano, who serves on the Joint Committee on Transportation, said he voted in favor of the bill because it will provide dignity and fairness to immigrants in Lynn and throughout Massachusetts. He said the state has waited long enough to pass this type of legislation while 16 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico have all passed bills allowing their undocumented immigrant residents to earn a driver’s license.
“It’s about time Massachusetts gets this done,” Capano said. “Several states have already done this and it’s our turn now.”
The bill, known as the “Act Relative to Work & Family Mobility,” was first introduced by state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) in March 2021. Crighton’s bill calls for those who don’t have proof of lawful presence, including those who are not able to receive a social-security number, to be eligible for a driver’s license in the state if they meet all other qualifications for obtaining a license.
Crighton said this type of bill had been in the works for years, due to having to ensure all factors of licensure are taken into account.
“We’ve seen how the debate plays out for more than 20 years,” he said. “We have been able to fine-tune it to get every sector of requirements and qualifications.”
It was concurred to the House of Representatives that month and was sent to the Joint Committee on Transportation for further study. On Feb. 10, House Speaker Ronald Mariano announced he would bring the bill to the house floor for a vote on Feb. 16.
During the vote, amendments were proposed to the bill, including one from Cahill related to the privacy provision related to the merit board — which maintains operator driving records consisting of traffic-law violations, at-fault and comprehensive insurance-claim records, and out-of-state driving records. The amendment was approved and added to the bill’s language.
Due to changes in the bill’s language, it will be returned to the Senate to be voted on again — a process known as engrossment.
If the Senate votes for the bill, it goes back to the House for a final vote and then the Senate again, before heading to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk for final approval.
Baker, however, told reporters at the State House on Monday that he preferred the current driver’s license laws.
“I support the current position on this,” Baker said. “We’re pretty happy with where we are.”
If Baker vetoes the bill, the House and Senate will need a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
