Beacon Hill Roll Call

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you have any questions about this week's report, e-mail us at
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Beacon
Hill Roll Call

Volume
49 - Report No. 52

December
23-27, 2024

Copyright
© 2024 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved.

By
Bob Katzen

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THE
HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate
last week.

The
2024 legislative session ends on January 1. There was a flurry of
activity on Beacon Hill last week as sponsors of dozens of bills
attempted to get final approval on the measures from the House and
Senate and have the bill sent to Gov. Maura Healey for her signature.

This
week’s report includes several key bills that were acted on last
week. None of the proposals have yet received final approval from
both branches. The ones that do so before January 1 will be sent to
Healey for her consideration. Any measures that don’t receive
approval in both branches by January 1 are dead and would have to be
refiled by their sponsors for consideration in 2025.

PROTECT
CATS AND DOGS (S 2908) – The House approved legislation that would
prohibit the sale or transfer of any puppies and kittens under eight
weeks old. Violators would be fined $100 per animal.

When
the animal is more than eight weeks old, the outright ban is lifted
and replaced with a section that would prohibit the sale or transfer
of any dogs or cats at specified outdoor locations, such as flea
markets and roadsides. This prohibition would not apply to the
transfer of a dog or cat by, or to, a shelter, animal control or
animal rescue; or to the display of a dog or cat as part of a state
or county fair exhibition, a 4-H program or similar exhibition or
educational program. Violators would be fined $50 per animal for a
first offense, $100 for a second offense and $300 for a third and
subsequent offenses.

"Early
separation of puppies and kittens from their mother, and the
unregulated roadside sale of dogs and cats, are practices that often
lead to serious health or behavioral problems for the animal and no
recourse for the new owner,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis
(D-Westfield). “I was proud to file this legislation in the Senate
this session and am glad that it is one step closer to becoming law
and establishing new protections for animals throughout the
commonwealth."

“Passing
this legislation would represent an end to the supply-and-demand
relationship between Massachusetts and puppy mills and give these
animals a better opportunity at finding a home,” said Sen. Patrick
O’Connor (R-Weymouth), a sponsor of an earlier version of the
measure. “I am a longtime supporter of animal protection issues,
even before I ran for Senate. I have co-sponsored many animal
protection bills and I am focused on protecting animals as some of
the most vulnerable members of our society. All animals deserve to be
treated with respect and dignity and I am proud to be a voice for
animal rights on Beacon Hill.”

ID
FOR LIQUOR PURCHASES (H 4131) – The Senate approved a
House-approved bill that would allow alcohol-serving establishments
to accept all out-of-state motor vehicle licenses and Global Entry
cards issued by the United States Customs and Border Protection
office, as valid proof of age and identification.

"As
a state that welcomes visitors from across the country to enjoy our
museums, sporting events, tourism attractions and other venues, this
is a vitally important economic measure that takes the burden off of
our small businesses and allows out-of-state visitors to enjoy a
drink if they choose," said House sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry
(D-Dedham). “This bill will go a long way in supporting the
commonwealth's businesses as they continue to recover from the
pandemic and compete with surrounding states."

“A
constituent of mine reached out regarding Global Entry cards, and how
she had been refused service in attempting to use one to purchase
alcohol,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville).
“These cards require two rounds of interviews, one with Customs and
Border Protection, and another with a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
You must also provide your passport and one other form of
identification. Only after this extensive process can you receive the
Global Entry Card, which includes the individual’s photo, full name
and date of birth. Over 5 million people have gone through this
process, and it feels unnecessary to bar them from utilizing this
form of identification in the commonwealth for the purchase of
alcohol.

STUDENT
ID CARDS AND SUICIDE LINE (S 3001)- The Senate approved a
House-approved bill that would require that student ID cards include
the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone numbers and text message
numbers.

“This
is a critical step in increasing information and access to life
saving support and resources, while working to eliminate the mental
health stigma those in crisis fear and face," said co-sponsor
Rep. Jack Lewis (Framingham). “At one point or another, we have all
faced the difficulty of not knowing where to turn for help or
assistance … I am forever thankful to the MetroWest Regional
Coalition for Suicide Prevention for first bringing the idea of this
legislation to my attention and to Ashland High School for modeling
similar policies. 988 is a supportive resource, and I encourage
anyone who faces times of crisis to use this hotline to access
compassionate support.”

“This
is a simple proposal that can have critical impact, ensuring our
students are equipped with the 988 Behavioral Help Line on their
Student IDs,” said House co-sponsor Rep. Natalie Higgins
(D-Leominster). “This will ensure that they, and their
friends, know a trusted mental health resource in a time of need.”

Supporters
noted that while suicide is a leading cause of death for people of
all ages in the United States, young people are particularly at risk.
They said that according to a study published by the National Center
for Health Statistics at the end of last year, suicide was the second
leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-24, representing a 56
percent increase in the previous decade. They argued that there are
significant disparities in these numbers, with LGBTQ+ youth being at
greater risk, and Black youth seeing a 73 percent increase in youth
suicide rates in that same time period.

OPIOID
CRISIS (H 5143) - Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that
supporters say would expand non-opioid pain treatments; establish
licenses for recovery coaches; support pregnant women and their
children who have been exposed to substances; and vastly expand
access to opioid-reversal drugs.

Other
provisions mandate that all health plans cover opioid reversal drugs
such as Naloxone and Narcan—without cost-sharing or prior
authorization; require hospitals and substance use treatment
facilities to educate patients on opioid reversal drugs and prescribe
or dispense at least two doses to at-risk patients upon discharge;
require pharmacies in areas with high incidences of overdoses to
maintain a sufficient and consistent supply of opioid reversal drugs
while also requiring them to stock both over the counter and
prescription versions.

The
bill includes several new insurance provisions, including a
prohibition on life insurance companies from limiting or refusing
coverage to a person solely because they obtained an opioid-reversal
drug, and a prohibition on medical malpractice insurers from
discriminating against health care practitioners who provide harm
reduction services. The bill also updates requirements for insurance
providers to ensure adequate coverage and access to pain management
services including non-opioid treatments and expands access to
non-opioid pain treatment by incorporating non-opioid alternatives
into provider training.

“Over
the course of my career, I’ve been motivated by those who have
tragically lost loved ones to the opioid crisis that is impacting all
of our communities,” said Gov. Healey. Their stories have served as
important reminders of the urgent need to increase treatment,
prevention and recovery services to save lives,” said Governor
Healey. “I’m proud to sign this bill that will expand access to
lifesaving overdose reversal medications and coaching throughout the
recovery process.”

“This
important legislation reflects an approach to substance use disorder
that emphasizes recovery, compassion and evidence-based care,” said
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “The measures
included in this bill will help break down barriers to care and push
back against the stigma that hinders far too many from seeking
effective treatment and moving toward recovery. Notably, this model
of care affirms that the commonwealth is committed to treating
substance use disorder as a public health issue, not as a moral
failing. It recognizes that with the right support, individuals can
reclaim their lives, families can heal and communities can thrive.”

INCREASE
PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS IN CONSTRUCTION –
Gov. Healey signed an Executive Order to increase the participation
of women and historically underrepresented groups in construction.

The
Executive Order establishes a Diverse and Equitable Construction
Workforce Participation Committee to facilitate interagency
collaboration on this work. It also identifies and encourages best
practices for state agencies to encourage equitable workforce
participation in construction, such as utilizing registered
apprentices, hiring local businesses and those with a record of
hiring women and underrepresented groups, and encouraging contractors
to provide supportive services like childcare. The committee will
also work with state agencies on data collection to measure the
workforce participation of women and underrepresented groups.

“Here
in Massachusetts, we know that we get the best results when our
workforce reflects the rich diversity of the people of our state,”
said Gov. Healey. “The construction industry offers good-paying
jobs and benefits that sustain families, and it’s important that we
increase access to this field for women and historically
underrepresented groups. Not only is it good for these workers and
their families, but it’s also good for our employers and our
economy as a whole.”

“The
Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to breaking down barriers
to employment and increasing access to career opportunities,” said
Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “We look
forward to building on our great partnership with the Massachusetts
AFL-CIO, the Massachusetts Building Trades, Building Pathways,
contractors and many more to meet workforce demands and advance
representation among women and people of color in the trades.”

ALSO
UP ON BEACON HILL

AUTO
AND HOME INSURANCE DISCOUNTS (H 5133) - The House approved and sent
to the Senate legislation waiving, for six years, until 2030, a law
that requires businesses and groups to have a 35 percent
participation rate in order to qualify for group auto and home
insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups with less than
the 35 percent participation to take advantage of group rates, which
supporters said will save members between 5 percent and 8 percent.
The law has been waived since 1997. The 35 percent requirement was
first included in a 1973 law.

Supporters
said if the bill is not approved, insurance discounts for 322,000
vehicles and 142,000 homes in the Bay State would disappear on
January 1, 2025 and consumers will pay millions of dollars more for
insurance.

Reps.
Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) and Tom Walsh (D-Peabody) sponsors of the measure
did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking
them to comment on their bill.

ALLOW
ELECTRONIC RECEIPT FOR DELIVERY OF FUEL OILS AND PROPANE (H 4132) –
The Senate approved a House-approved bill that would allow companies
to send customers an electronic delivery receipt for the bulk sale of
fuel oils and propane.

“This
legislation modernizes the receipt system by allowing the vendor of
bulk sale deliveries to utilize an electronic receipt, ticket or
other form of recorded representation for the purchaser to review the
sale item,” said House sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy
(D-Franklin). “Massachusetts is one of the last states to
update this antiquated system of delivery of receipts/invoices from
bulk sales. In today’s world of technology, it only makes
sense that the delivery of receipts/invoices can be safely and
efficiently transmitted to the consumer without having to leave a
paper bill at the door or mailbox. Many, if not most businesses,
already operate this way and there is no good reason not to advance
bulk sales in this direction as well particularly as the consumer
would have a choice in the method of delivery.”

Supporters
also noted that customers frequently complain about the current
practice of the company leaving bags with receipts on their doorknobs
or in their mailboxes. They said leaving the receipts in a USPS
mailbox is not permitted by law and also leaves consumers vulnerable
to identity fraud. They also pointed out that leaving a plastic bag
which might remain on the doorknob for several days is a clear signal
to would-be criminals that the homeowner is not home and might be
traveling.

COMMERCIAL
DRIVER’S LICENSES (S 3002) – The Senate approved a House-approved
proposal, originally sponsored by Gov. Healey, which would
prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to
passenger vehicle offenses they committed prior to September 30,
2005.

The
Registry of Motor Vehicles recently notified hundreds of bus and
truck drivers that they were ineligible for commercial licenses due
to at least two past major offenses, blindsiding many motorists who
for years thought their infractions were behind them.

“Over
time, the relevance and predictive value of these older offenses has
diminished, particularly for those drivers who have remained
offense-free since,” said Healey. "In most circumstances, a
commercial driver who meets the safety requirements of federal law
should not be disqualified from driving due solely to passenger
vehicle offenses that occurred 19 or more years ago.” She noted her
bill would remove consideration of pre-September 30, 2005 passenger
vehicle offenses from our disqualification law, except for multiple
instances of operating under the influence.

RENAME
THE OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS (S 3006) – The Senate approved and sent
to the House legislation that would change the name of the Executive
Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and
Independence. The proposal also replaces outdated language in the
state’s lawbooks, including changing “elderly persons,” to
“older adults” and “handicapped” to “adults with a
disability.” The new legislation also incorporates gender-neutral
language into current law. The original version of the bill was filed
by Gov. Healey in May.

“The
Executive Office of Elder Affairs was established more than 50 years
ago and was one of the nation’s first state agencies dedicated to
addressing the needs of older people,” said Healey. “Today, the
agency has evolved to offer programs and services that support 1.7
million older residents and nearly 1 million family caregivers. Our
administration is committed to meeting the changing needs of today’s
older adults, and I am thrilled that this name change better reflects
those that we serve.”

“The
new name … mirrors the values and goals of our older adult
population and our commitment to support the vibrancy, independence
and dignity of our family members, friends and neighbors as they
age,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh.

QUOTABLE
QUOTES – Special Snowplow Edition

The
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced
the winners of the third annual “Name A Snowplow” contest for
elementary and middle school students in Massachusetts.

  The
contest received entries from public school classrooms located all
across the state to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in
service during this 2024-2025 winter season. The purpose of the
contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize
the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and
contractors during the winter season. 

 
"Maintaining
safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy
task,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
“We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this
fun competition that honors this vital public service.
Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to
seeing your snowplows out in the field."

"This
contest is a great way for schools across the state to connect with
the crews who work tirelessly to keep our roads clear each winter,"
said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "Thank you to
everyone who took part in this contest, and congratulations to our
winners."

  Here
are the 12 winning names and the schools that submitted them:

“Control-Salt-Delete”

---Swift
River School, kindergarten

New
Salem, MA

“Abomindable
Plowman”

---Brophy
Elementary School, 4th
grade

Framingham,
MA

“Snow
Force One”

---Great
Oak Elementary School, kindergarten

Danvers,
MA

“Taylor
Drift”

---Dighton
Elementary School, 1st
grade

Dighton,
MA