Representative Steven S. Howitt named to special legislative commission focused on combatting antisemitism in Massachusetts

Boston – House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) to serve on the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism in the Commonwealth.

Created through an outside section of the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, the special commission is tasked with identifying and evaluating current efforts to combat antisemitism in Massachusetts and recommending strategies, programs and legislation to further enhance this goal. In addition to considering potential amendments to the state’s existing hate crimes law, the special commission will also identify best practices in other states and jurisdictions and make recommendations for the implementation of the United States national strategy to counter antisemitism.

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were 440 antisemitic incidents that occurred in Massachusetts in 2023, which represents a 189 percent increase over the number of incidents (152) recorded in the state in 2022. The ADL noted that last year “Massachusetts recorded the fifth-highest number of incidents per state in the country following California (1,266), New York (1,218), New Jersey (830), and Florida (463).” The ADL also cited a “massive spike” in antisemitic incidents both here and across the country following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The 19-member special commission is chaired by Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) and Representative Simon Cataldo (D-Concord). The special commission will include representation from the Massachusetts Municipal Association; the Attorney General’s office; the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination; the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education; the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Inc.; the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association; and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Incorporated.

The special commission is due to file a report with its findings and recommendations by November 30.