The Transportation Committee has given a favorable recommendation to legislation that would enable undocumented immigrants to access standard driver’s licenses in Massachusetts.

Bill sponsor Rep. Christine Barber of Somerville joined activists in Nurses Hall late Wednesday to celebrate the vote. “Si se puede,” activists, who have been rallying for the bill all week, chanted.

Barber told the News Service the bill has been reported favorably to the Senate.

The committee said it recommended a redrafted version of a bill (S 2061) filed by Sen. Brendan Crighton with Barber’s bill attached.

Barber said she was “thrilled” about the vote and said she did not believe the bill had previously received a favorable vote in committee.

“Folks have been amazing to work with,” Barber said, citing efforts by a coalition to advance the bill and the support of law enforcement for the legislation. Last year, Senate President Karen Spilka, speaking to the bill’s merits, said, “I believe that for public safety reasons, even just if you look at it alone, we should pass it ... There’s like 14 other states that have done this and the sky hasn’t fallen.”

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