Chairwoman Edwards Advances Bold Civil Rights and Public Safety Agenda as Senate Judiciary Chair

Special to the Regional-Review

Senator Lydia Edwards, Chairwoman of the Massachusetts Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks last Wednesday to a gathering of Massachusetts judges, outlining the committee’s current priorities, recent hearings, and her journey leading to her appointment as Judiciary Chair in March of 2025.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee Chair, Chairwoman Edwards has led the committee through a demanding and impactful session. Her final hearing of the year on November 25 will focus on immigration, civil rights, and related policy matters, capping a season of intensive oversight. Most recently, she co-chaired a seven-hour hearing addressing abortion access, vaccine access, and youth offenses, underscoring the committee’s broad and urgent portfolio.

As the Chairwoman, Senator Edwards hears legislation topics including:

• Data Privacy & Consumer Protection

• Medical Civil Rights & Practices

• Employee Free Speech

• Personal Security

• Protecting Sexual Abuse Victims

• Protection Against Abusive Litigation

• Eviction & Record Sealing

• Health Care Protections & Access to Care

• Juvenile and Youth Sentencing & Juvenile Record Expungement

• Protection of Minors

Chairwoman Edwards has facilitated a Judiciary agenda around the protection of others, including minors, victims, consumers, tenants, homeowners, and more. Under her leadership, the committee has heard and advanced historic legislative priorities. Already, the legislature has passed the trailblazing Shield Act 2.0, which assures protections for patients and providers of reproductive and transgender services at a time when attacks are escalating on multiple fronts. Chairwoman also shepherded the recent bill to protect workers by creating increased penalties and criminal charges for attacking and assaulting transit workers.

Chairwoman Edwards has also released and moved several bills that are now pending in Ways and Means, including Raise the Age (a bill that would raise the age for juvenile offenses), Sexual Assault by People in Position of Authority ( a bill to close the loophole for adults who have sex with children above the age of consent but are within their authority) and an Act Relative to Drug Induced Homicide, a bill to hold drug dealers accountable for homicide (also sponsored by Rep. Jeff Turco in the house).

This leadership role marks a significant shift from her previous position as Housing Chair, expanding her statewide engagement in the legal and civil rights arenas.

“I loved being the Housing Chair. The hearings and conversations were very much like solving a complicated puzzle. With the Judiciary Committee the stakes feel a little bit higher. Parents come and testify with pictures of their dead children, stating that if certain laws had been in place, their kids would be alive. We also have constitutional scholars engaged in deep debate about so many fundamental rights. I especially enjoy the conversations I am having with the District Attorneys and the head of CPCS (our public defenders). I remind them we are not in court; this is not about “winning.” Instead, we are trying to craft the best judicial system we can together. Honestly, I have had to talk with more police officers about their lived experience and the practical, real impact of the laws we pass, and I regularly hear from incarcerated individuals about their perspective on law reform.

Looking ahead, Senator Edwards will launch a series of public panels in the new year to deepen community understanding of the Judiciary Committee’s work. These panels will explore how new and pending laws influence communities across Massachusetts. In collaboration with District Attorney’s offices, local police departments, and other justice-system partners, these events are designed to foster transparency, education, and civic engagement.

“The best thing we can do as a state legislature is be as transparent about the laws we are drafting, supporting, or opposing. We also need to make sure we hear from people about what is and isn’t working.

For a full history of legislation considered by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, visit malegislature.gov.