9-28-2025 4:00am

Beacon Hill Roll Call

Alan Earls Editor

If you have any questions about this week's report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562.

Volume 50 - Report No. 39

September 22-26, 2025

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators' votes on the only roll call from the week of September 22-26. There were no roll calls in the House last week.

DATA PRIVACY ACT (S 2619)

Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House legislation that guards personal privacy and provides data protection for Massachusetts residents. The bill establishes clear rights regarding residents’ personal data, including the right to know what information is being collected and the ability to opt out of having their data used for targeted advertising or being sold to other companies.

Protected data includes health care information; face scans and fingerprints; precise geolocation; information about a person’s religion or ethnicity; information related to a person’s immigration status; and information pertaining to a child.

Specific provisions include giving people the right to know if their personal data is being collected, allowing them to see what data was collected and allowing them to find out with whom their data has been shared; giving people control over their personal data through new guaranteed rights to correct inaccurate data, delete personal information and opt out of having their personal data sold to others; giving the Office of the Attorney General broad regulatory authority to enforce the provisions of the bill; and constraining companies’ unfettered collection of personal data by limiting them to only collecting what is reasonably necessary in order to provide their product or service.

Other provisions include prohibiting all entities from selling minors’ personal data; blocking targeted ads for minors; and prohibiting companies from collecting or processing a child’s personal information for the purposes of targeting ads.

“I am thrilled that the Senate has passed the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton), a sponsor of an earlier version of the bill. “This bill positions Massachusetts to have among the strongest data privacy laws in the country and makes it clear that our personal data can no longer be profited from without transparency and accountability to Massachusetts consumers.”

“Big tech companies make billions of dollars selling your personal data without giving you any say in what information they collect or how they use it,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury), Senate Chair of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity. “No one should profit off of anyone’s personal data. The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act returns the power of choice back to the people because your data belongs to you.”

“Massachusetts urgently needs strong privacy laws to prohibit companies from collecting or manipulating our personal information in ways that threaten our safety, discriminate against us or otherwise threaten our most essential rights,” said Carol Rose, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. “Protecting privacy is more urgent today than ever before, as the Trump administration unleashes attack after attack on the rule of law and our most cherished freedoms. We look forward to working with leaders in the House to pass these critical democratic protections in their strongest possible form.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Rebecca Rausch Yes Sen. Karen Spilka Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

FINANCIAL RELIEF TO HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS (H 4530) - Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a $234 million supplemental budget including provisions that would provide financial relief to hospitals and community health centers across the state. The measure ensures critical funding for hospitals and community health centers in the Bay State while also reimbursing for services for uninsured and underinsured residents.

The package includes $199 million in relief for acute care hospitals, including $122 million in targeted payments to facilities serving low-income patients and facing the greatest financial distress. Another $77 million would be transferred to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund, which helps reimburse hospitals and health centers for care provided to uninsured residents. Community health centers would receive $35 million, including $2.5 million directed to the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers for initiatives such as shared services.

“It is important to support our hospitals and community health centers so our residents get the access and quality of care they deserve across Massachusetts,” said Gov. Healey. “This package is a step forward in maintaining our world-class health care ecosystem. We have the best hospitals in the world, but with existing strains on our health care system and the harm coming from President Trump’s budget cuts, we need to support our trusted institutions that provide people the care they need.”

“Our hospitals and community health centers continue to step up to care for those most in need despite being under enormous financial pressure," said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. "New policies from the federal government will only exacerbate the strain on our health care infrastructure, so for Massachusetts to continue to be a leader in providing exceptional health care, we need care to be accessible, especially to our most vulnerable populations.”

“This funding will help to ensure that financially strained hospitals and community health centers can continue to serve patients across Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “As broad fiscal uncertainty and actions taken by the Trump Administration continue to exacerbate the challenges that hospitals are already facing, this supplemental budget is the latest example of the work that we are doing here in Massachusetts to provide targeted support where it is needed most.”

“Massachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn’t happen by accident,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is in large part because of our health care providers' commitment to providing top-notch care to every resident who comes through their doors. This funding will help stabilize our hospitals and community health centers as we continue to face federal chaos.”

REQUIRE ARMCHAIRS IN RESTAURANTS (S 158) – The Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a bill that would require all restaurants, lounges and bars to have at least 5 percent of their seating options be armchairs, or have armchairs on-site and available upon request.

"I filed this legislation after meeting a constituent in June 2022 who expressed the dangers the elderly and physically impaired individuals face when using chairs without arms, namely that they run the risk of slipping or falling,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Armchairs provide support for individuals who need assistance standing up or sitting down, while also inhibiting them from falling once seated. It is my hope that by providing the physically handicapped with the available assistance, it will make their service safer and more accommodating."

STUDY CHINESE COMPANIES IN MASSACHUSETTS (H 487) – A hearing was held by the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee on a measure that would establish a special commission to study the financial relationship between Massachusetts entities and companies owned by the Chinese government.

“This legislation will provide lawmakers and the public with vital information about the nature and size of Chinese investment in the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “In recent years, the Chinese government has attempted to use its economic power to influence the policies of foreign governments, such as Canada and Australia, by imprisoning visiting businesspeople on spurious charges, abruptly terminating contracts with foreign companies after upfront expenses have been paid and stealing intellectual property.”

Jones continued, “Massachusetts companies, specifically those in the biotech, software, manufacturing and finance sectors, are particularly vulnerable to pressure applied by the Chinese government. By creating a commission to study the financial relationship between Massachusetts entities and companies owned by the Chinese government, [this bill] will help identify the state’s economic vulnerabilities so we can devise an effective strategy to protect local industries.”

POLICE AND FIREFIGHTER DISABILITY PENSION (H 2940) – The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would allow a police officer or firefighter who is granted a disability retirement pension, to have any previous period of leave from their service to be covered as if that time out of service was an absence. By such designation, they will have the right to receive any retroactive pay or personnel actions on account of this absence designation.

Rep. Angelo Puppolo (D-Springfield), the sponsor of the measure, said he filed this legislation after a member of the National Association for Government Employees brought it to his attention that police officers and firefighters were not receiving compensation during their leave of absence prior to them being granted their disability retirement pension.

"The negative financial impacts placed on our first responders due to this delay in pay is unjust. Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to serve communities across the commonwealth, and this bill is a step forward in making sure they are supported when they sustain injuries in the line of duty." said Puppolo.

BILLS HEARD BY THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY – Several bills had a hearing before the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security including:

ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT FOR INJURED POLICE DOGS (H 2738) – Would ensure that specially trained police dogs who are hurt in the line of duty can receive timely, advanced emergency medical care from licensed EMS personnel. The bill authorizes EMTs and paramedics to provide treatment — including advanced life support procedures and transport — to injured K9s without facing liability or regulatory barriers.

Supporters said the measure builds on a recently approved law that allows basic first aid for injured police dogs. They noted this bill takes the next step to ensure that these working dogs receive the same level of emergency response available to humans, recognizing their critical role in protecting the public and supporting law enforcement.

“I filed this bill because our police dogs are true partners in law enforcement, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect officers and the public,” said sponsor Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). “When they are injured, they deserve the very best chance at survival, and that means allowing advanced life support care in the field. This bill ensures that we honor their service with the same urgency and professionalism that they give us every day.”

“Our police K9s are on the front lines every day protecting officers and our communities,” continued Xiarhos. “This bill makes sure they get the advanced life-saving care they deserve when injured in the line of duty.”

PURPLE ALERT SYSTEM FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (H 2657) – Would create a Purple Alert system to assist law enforcement in identifying and locating missing persons with disabilities. The system would be modeled after the current Amber Alert system which is designed to ask the public for help in finding abducted children.

The Purple Alert would apply to a person with at least one of these conditions: a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability including Down syndrome; a brain injury; or another physical, mental or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse.

“The Amber Alert system has demonstrated extraordinary, life-saving effectiveness, contributing to the recovery of more than 1,000 children since its inception in 1996,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “However, no parallel mechanism currently exists to assist in identifying and locating adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may be missing or endangered. Several states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island and Florida, have enacted Purple Alert legislation to address this gap. I look forward to examining how similar legislation could strengthen the commonwealth’s capacity to protect and serve all of its residents."

BAN USE OF TEAR GAS AGAINST CIVILIANS (S 1758) – Would ban the use of tear gas on civilians and require that police actively work in good faith with organizers of mass demonstrations to avoid conflict. It would require a police department with advance knowledge of the event to designate an officer in charge of de-escalation planning to discuss the logistical plans and strategies with the demonstration organizers.

“Tear gas is banned as a weapon of war,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “It should not be used against civilians on domestic soil. Tear gas can cause serious, long-term health impacts, including blindness, emotional trauma and reproductive health repercussions. Using tear gas is an outdated and dangerous crowd-control tactic that adds to chaos and violence rather than reducing it. This ban, which includes support for de-escalation measures, would make the commonwealth safer for demonstrators and police alike.”

MASSACHUSETTS LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL FUND (H 2728) – Would establish a Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Fund to be used to make annual payments to the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial which memorializes and honors Massachusetts law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty.

"Dedicated in 2004, the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial in Ashburton Park commemorates the sacrifices of more than 400 Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty,” said sponsor Rep. Tom Walsh (D-Peabody). “[This bill] provides for the production and sale of specialty license plates with the proceeds directed towards the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, supporting the stewardship and upkeep of the memorial, similar to the funding mechanism providing for the maintenance of the Firefighters Memorial across the park."

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"A [federal government] shutdown could create challenges for certain spending accounts in the [state’s] General Federal Grants Fund, revenue collected through federal reimbursement and for [state] programs run and funded primarily by the federal government."

---From a memo from the Healey Administration to state government officials which are girding for the possibility of a federal government shutdown, instructing them to summarize concerns about their ability to address payroll concerns and to lay out their plans to protect Massachusetts residents and resources.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in education and innovation because we know success starts in our classrooms and with our young people. STEM Week is about inspiring curiosity, creativity and confidence in young people across the state. By investing in hands-on STEM experiences, we’re preparing students of all ages to solve problems, pursue new ideas and lead the future economy.”

--- Gov. Healey announcing that her administration has awarded over $464,000 in STEM Design Challenge grants to several non-profit and public education organizations, supporting STEM learning opportunities statewide for students from elementary school through high school.

“Proposition 2 1/2 was put in place through significant pressure and advocacy from the business community against municipal government’s advocacy several decades ago. And we, I think, are continuing to feel the strain in these economic times under that."

---Boston Mayor Michelle Wu suggesting it might be time for the state to take another look at and perhaps modify or repeal Proposition 2 1/2, which bars local governments from imposing property tax hikes in excess of 2.5 percent, without voter approval.

“Mayor Wu is using a budget discussion as a cover to push her real agenda: higher taxes for Massachusetts. If it weren’t for Prop 2½, the cost of living in Boston would be even higher than it already is. Families and small businesses are already being crushed by housing costs, inflation and energy bills, yet Mayor Wu thinks the answer is to chip away at the only safeguard taxpayers have against runaway property taxes.”

---Paul Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing that, starting September 22, all driver education classroom instruction provided by professional driving schools will transition back to an in-person format. The RMV has been in communication with driving schools, customers and other stakeholders, explaining how this change will result in enhanced student engagement, stronger learning outcomes, equal opportunities for all schools, and improved road safety.

---From an announcement from the RMV that the option of remote (virtual) driver education classes that was introduced as an accommodation during the pandemic, will no longer be offered and effective September 22, a live instructor will be required to teach all classes, including the parent class.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of Sept. 22-26, the House met for a total of 19 minutes and the Senate met for a total of four hours and 48 minutes.

Mon. Sept. 22 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.

Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:44 a.m.

Tues. Sept. 23 No House session

No Senate session

Wed. Sept. 24 No House session.

No Senate session

Thurs. Sept. 25 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:11 a.m.

Senate 11:03 a.m. to 3:19 p.m.

Fri. Sept.26 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com