Testify for peace and safety in our homes

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 10/17/2025 - 13:57

Testify to help create the tenant advocate office

H.1814: An Act to create the office of the tenant advocate in the Office of the Attorney General is going to be heard in front of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday, October 21st at 1:00PM.

Please help to get this bill into law so we will have a Tenant Advocate to protect us. Everyone who lives in public or subsidized housing will benefit from this bill.

Here’s how you can help move this bill along to become law:

  • Testify in person at the State House in room A2 on Tuesday, October 21, between 1 and 5 pm.

  • Testify online/virtually during the meeting on Tuesday, October 21, between 1 and 5 pm.

  • Write your testimony and send by email or postal mail.

Submit written testimony by email to Talia.Quinn@mahouse.gov or by mail to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, 24 Beacon St, Room 136, Boston, MA 02133.

Kindly copy your testimony using email cc to

Sign up in advance for in person or online/virtual testimony at
http://bit.ly/3J3jKm4

To testify virtually you must register by 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 19.

To testify in person, register in advance or sign up at the hearing.

http://bit.ly/3J3jKm4

For more information and for the virtual meeting go here: 

https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5434 

Suggestions

Prepare your testimony in writing, and time yourself reading it; the time limit is usually 3 minutes, or if you go together with a couple of others as a panel, the total time is 5 minutes for the panel. Figure 100 words per minute; public speaking tends to be slower than in a small group.

In your testimony include: what are the problems you experience or observe that can be solved by the Tenant Advocate; mention what has not worked for you to show the need for a new law, and/or give an example of what does make a difference in housing. I always prepare and read my testimony so as not to forget any key points.

See my draft testimony online. http://stopbullyingcoalition.org/oversight

Tags

bullying
legislation