Advocacy is Everyone's Responsibility! 

Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association Advocacy Day

2023                                                                         2024

              

2025

 

MRPA Celebrates MA250 - MA Park & Recreation Firsts in the Nation

Current Bills MRPA is Following

The MRPA encourages its members to stay aware of proposed legislation. Members can follow proposed legislation by signing up for an account here on the mass.gov website. Members will receive daily alerts each time any action is taken on the bill they have marked to track. 

This site also allows you to view a summary of each bill, see the full text of the bill, see where the bill is in the legislative process, see companion bills, and see any amendments filed to the bills as they move through committees.  On this site you can also find contact information on the legislator who filed the bill and information is available on how to contact them.

H.4993  Currently referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
An Act requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events.
 
S.3145  Reprinted as Bill S3162          
Currently referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility.
 
S.1349  Presented by Jason Lewis
An Act relative to raising the minimum wage closer to a living wage in the commonwealth
Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3256
 
H.506  Presenter: Shirley Arriaga
The PLAY Act - An Act relative to youth and athletics.

H.915  Presenter: Michelle L. Ciccolo
An Act expanding access to trails for people of all abilities.
 
H.1040  Presenter: Jeffrey N. Roy (by request)
An Act to ban the use of tire derived materials in playgrounds and playing fields in Massachusetts.
 
S.2187  Presenter: Michael O. Moore
An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation artificial turf fields.
 
H.2474  Presenter: John J. Lawn Jr
An Act establishing a special commission to study the youth sports industry and other related matters.
 
H.2508  Presenter: Edward R. Philips
An Act promoting best practices in youth athletic coaching
 
H.2556  Presenter: Marcus S. Vaughn
An Act Relative to AEDs for athletic fields
 
H.2731  Presenter: Bud L. Williams
An Act relative to the availability of personal flotation devices at certain municipal and recreation programs.
 
H.3339  Presenter: Carmine Lawrence Gentile
An Act prohibiting state and municipal contracts for the purchase and installation artificial turf fields.
 
NATIONAL BILL TO WATCH
Rep. Greg Steube Introduces Legislation to Make Swimming Lessons Eligible for HSAs & FSAs

 

Advocacy on the State Level

 

Find Your Representative

Senators and Representatives need to hear from their constituents! Contact your legislators and share with them issues that are important to you. 

State

Federal

 

Advocacy on the National Level

The National Recreation and Park Association is a recognized voice on Capitol Hill. Our proven advocacy team knows how to get things done and how to help members and mobilize millions of people to influence important national, state and local bills and legislation. Together, we gain funding for vital programs and increase public awareness and support for the benefits of public parks and recreation nationally and locally.  To access information click here.

Learn how to impact parks and recreation in your community–and on the national level–while simultaneously earning CEUs through NRPA’s advocacy distance learning program.

  • Access the Congressional Toolkit, click Here
  • Sign up for NRPA Advocacy Alerts

  • H.R. 9839 STRONG Kids Act
    The STRONG Kids Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a competitive grant program for national and regional nonprofits or governmental organizations that run youth sports programs. The bill is designed to improve health and positive youth development outcomes by increasing access to sports for children under 18.