Start off with a phone call to your Representaive and Senator, ask to speak with the person in charge of legislation.
Let the person on the phone know that you are a constituent, include your name, address, phone number and bill you are calling about. Ask for a return phone call from your Rep. or Senator.
What should I say? Explain or concern about inadequate laws and ask what they are doing to protect your children/family from sex offenders.
If you would like to meet with your Rep. or Senator, ask to speak with their scheduling person. Many Reps. and Senators will agree to meet to discuss their views on legislation. These meetings can take place in the district or at the State House.
If a bill has been assigned to a Committee, contact the chair of the committee and let them know that you are committed to strengthening laws and you will be following the progress of this legislation.
Check in with your Rep. or Senator frequently, you can do this by email, but it's always good to start off with a telephone call. As the old saying goes, The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Many Reps. and Senators will refer you to the Committee the bill has been assigned to. Let them know that they represent you and that you would like them to call the Committe Chair personally. Just because a bill has been assigned to a Committee doesn't mean your Rep. and Senator have stopped representing your interests. These bills will die in Committee if our elected officials allow them to fall off the radar.
All legislation filed for the 2009/2010 legislative session will be assigned to a Committee and will be scheduled for a public hearing. To view the hearing schedule and to see how our legislative process works visit:http://www.mass.gov/legis/#hear_mark
