Hearing To Consider Possible Changes To State Constitution

BOSTON (AP) — A proposed amendment to the state constitution intended to further protect individual rights is the subject of a public hearing at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

The change to the Massachusetts Constitution would prohibit ballot questions that seek to "restrict the rights set forth in this constitution to freedom and equality, or the right of each individual to be protected by society in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property."

Wednesday's hearing will look at three other proposed constitutional amendments, including one that would subject the Governor's Council to the state's open meeting law and another that would prohibit the state from using its eminent domain powers to take property from one private owner to give to another private entity.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the world's oldest functioning written constitution.