3-29-2026 4:03am

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 51 - Report No. 13

March 23-27, 3026

By Bob Katzen

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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on local representatives' votes on roll calls from the week of March 23-27. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.

THE “PROTECT ACT” (H 5305)

House 134-21, approved and sent to the Senate the PROTECT Act that supporters said would establish statewide standards governing interactions between state and local systems and federal immigration enforcement. They said the measure would strengthen due process protections, limit civil immigration enforcement in courthouses, expand protections for victims of crime and increase transparency, accountability and clarity for correctional facilities and law enforcement.

Provisions include restricting state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement by prohibiting law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status unless the inquiry is directly material to a specific criminal offense; limiting civil arrests in courthouses by requiring a judicial warrant or order, and a review by a judicial official; prohibiting in most cases a civil arrest from being made in a courtroom; creating uniform standards for individuals in correctional facilities including requiring notice of legal rights to be read to the prisoner in his or her primary language at intake; guaranteeing confidential attorney-client communication; authorizing the governor to restrict civil immigration enforcement in nonpublic areas of state facilities; and requiring multilingual guidance for agencies, private entities, law enforcement and the public.

Other provisions would require employers to notify employees within 48 hours of any federal immigration inspection, and give victims of crimes, including human trafficking and labor exploitation, a clearer and faster path to obtain certifications needed to apply for certain immigration visas, with safeguards against retaliation tied to immigration status.

“Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, ICE and Border Patrol agents have continued to harass and disappear innocent Americans with total impunity – a reckless approach that has led to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and to children being separated from their families,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “Those actions have immigrants in Massachusetts living in fear as they go to work or bring their children to school, and they jeopardize the trust that local law enforcement has worked hard to build. By passing the PROTECT Act we will create a statewide standard for governing interactions between state and local systems and federal immigration enforcement."

“Our commonwealth and nation are built upon a foundation of laws,” said Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn), House Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “After 250 years of democracy, we believe it is incumbent upon us in Massachusetts to affirm and uphold the fundamental principles that define the separation of state and federal powers and jurisdictions. The PROTECT Act reinforces the longstanding understanding that, absent explicit consent, state resources will not be used for federal civil immigration enforcement.”

“[The bill] continues to put illegal aliens in front of American citizens,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) who opposed the measure. “It’s performative and was just an excuse for the speakers to generate campaign speeches.”

Gaskey continued, “The thing that was lost in all the speeches and I tried to remind everyone, that all of this is being targeted toward illegal aliens, undocumented immigrants if you must, not legal immigrants. There is a 6-month mandatory jail sentence for coming across illegally. A second time is two years. If you were previously deported and you sneak back in, it’s ten years. And for comparison, DUI is a misdemeanor, so the civil violation argument is out the window. Let’s not forget the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that recognized immigration courts as the authority on asylum and immigration.”

(A "Yes" vote is for the bill. A "No" vote is against it,)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

ICE IN SCHOOLS (H 5305)

House 135-18, approved an amendment that would require the governor to publish, prominently on the state’s website, multilingual guidelines for all school districts, on how to handle interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other law enforcement officers regarding civil immigration enforcement.

The guidelines would include designating a contact person to be notified of the presence of, or information requests from, law enforcement agents engaged in enforcement; verifying the identity and authority of any law enforcement officer engaged in enforcement; verifying the validity of any judicial warrant or judicial order provided; documenting and maintaining records of all interactions with law enforcement agents engaged in enforcement; and informing all persons how to respond to requests relating to enforcement.

Amendment supporters said that these guidelines will help protect young students and ensure that ICE is following the rules and not unfairly targeting kids. They noted that attendance at schools is down in many areas because students are afraid and anxious about ICE raids.

Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver) opposed the amendment. “If someone at the school commits a crime, they go get the student. If a student’s parent is arrested or worse, authorities go get the student. If parents are being deported, it is only just for the authorities to go get the student to be with their parents.”

Rep. Sean Reid (D-Lynn), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call explaining why he filed the amendment and how he felt about its passage.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

PENDING RELEASE OF A PRISONER (H 5305)

House 154-0, approved an amendment to a section of the bill that prohibits providing advance notice of the pending release of a prisoner who is the subject of an (ICE) warrant. The amendment would allow for ICE to be notified of a prisoner’s pending release if they have been convicted of certain serious crimes.

“I believe that ICE should adhere to its stated mission of targeting the ‘worst of the worst’ for arrest and deportation to help keep our communities safe,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “My amendment reinforces this goal by allowing law enforcement officers to share private information about an individual with federal immigration authorities and provide advance notice of their release date if the individual has been convicted of a serious crime, including attempted murder, rape of a child, assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person, and enticement of a child under the age of 18 to engage in prostitution, human trafficking or commercial sexual activity.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.)

Rep. Jeffrey Roy Yes

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

SAFETY FOR FIREFIGHTERS (S 1646) – The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call vote, approved and sent to the House legislation that would create a public database of violations of the state’s fire prevention laws and a public notification system to alert workers of violations. The bill would require the state to track written notices of code violations related to “hot work”—welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction—and make the information available to the public through an online database and an automated notification system.

The measure is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting hot work. The proposed law has been 12 years in the making and was first prompted by the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who perished while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died.

The Senate approved the same bill last tear on March 28, 2024 and sent it to the House Committee on Ways and Means where it was stuck for nine months and died from inaction when the 2024 session ended.

“The Senate’s action this week advances critical reforms shaped by the work of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission,” said chief sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-Boston). “The loss of Boston Fire Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy is still felt deeply today, and the work to improve our laws continues in their memory. By strengthening training, oversight and accountability around hot work and welding, we are creating safer conditions for our firefighters, the building trades, and the public. While we have made progress in our state and local regulations, this legislation would build upon that progress and codify these enhanced protections into state law.”

“This legislation isn’t just a precaution—it is a commitment to the wellbeing and protection of our first responders and residents,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our firefighters, and anyone whose job includes hot work, should have confidence in the safety of their workplace, and know that they are protected from a tragic situation like the one that took the lives of Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy far too soon.”

“The passage of this legislation will bring long needed accountability to the hot works and welding industry here in the commonwealth, institute common sense reforms and honor the calls of firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line every day,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “By creating a public database to track fire code violations and alert workers, the state will help prevent tragedies like the Back Bay fire of 2014 with appropriate oversight and respectful honoring of the two fallen firefighters’ legacy by passing this bill.”

FOOD TRUCKS (H 5115) – The Committee on Public Health held a public hearing on legislation that would require food trucks to be subject to an annual health inspection by the state. The Commissioner of Public Health would establish regulations for the annual health inspection of food trucks and would prescribe rules and regulations related to inspection schedules, documentation of inspections, standards for acceptable cleanliness and the costs of these inspections.

"Food trucks in Massachusetts must secure certification from the Boards of Health and fire departments in each of the towns where they operate,” said bill sponsor Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “Often those municipalities have their own set of standards, inspection practices and timelines and fees - making the process expensive and time-consuming. This legislation would streamline the regulations and permitting process for food trucks with a statewide standard, creating a process that better supports Main Street and the commonwealth's restaurant industry."

CELIAC DISEASE (S 2928) – Another bill heard by the Committee on Public Health would establish a 3-year pilot program to evaluate the potential of including the screening for Celiac disease by health care providers when conducting screenings for cholesterol and lipids for 12-year-olds.

“Celiac disease is significantly underdiagnosed in children, often because symptoms are atypical, or not immediately recognized,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “By integrating screening for celiac disease into an existing, routine health screening at age 12, this pilot program would create a critical opportunity to identify children with Celiac disease earlier, preventing years of avoidable health consequences and ensuring families are connected to evidence-based care, support and guidance.”

HOUSE GOP MINORITY LEADER BRAD JONES WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION – House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) surprised everyone when he announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026 but will serve out his current term which end in January 2027. Jones, who represents Lynnfield, Middleton, North Reading and Reading, said, “After 32 years serving in the House of Representatives, I have decided that I will not seek re-election to another term this fall. Serving as state representative has been a tremendously meaningful part of my life, and while difficult to leave behind, I eagerly look forward to my next chapter. It is a profound and distinct honor for which I will be eternally grateful. Representing the community where I was born and raised has made this even more of a privilege.”

Jones continued, “My colleagues in the Republican caucus have afforded me the rare privilege to serve as Minority Leader since 2002, allowing me to be even more impactful in my service. Working with so many talented and dedicated members, often across the aisle, on a wide range of important issues over the years has been rewarding and inspiring.”

Jones is not without his detractors. “Virtually no one but the speaker knows who Rep. Brad Jones is but that doesn’t have to be the same for the next Republican House Minority Leader,” said longtime Jones critic Paul Craney, executive director of the Mass Fiscal Alliance. “The caucus, taxpayers and state desperately need a bold leader in this important position.”

Meanwhile, Beacon Hill Roll Call asked Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), who ran for the position of GOP Minority Leader against Jones last year, if he plans to seek the position in 2027 when Jones departs. “Not in my immediate plans,” responded Lombardo who lost to Jones in 2025 when Jones received 21 votes to Lombardo’s four votes.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“All bodies are different, elite athletes have always reflected a wide spectrum of natural variation. This decision is rooted in a fundamentally unfair and deeply misogynistic premise, that women’s bodies must be policed, scrutinized and deemed ‘acceptable’ in order to compete. It targets transgender and intersex women, but in doing so, it undermines all women by reinforcing narrow and exclusionary definitions of womanhood that have no place in sport or society.”

---Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality, on the recent decision by the International Olympic Committee to limit participation in female category events and ruling that only women who have XX chromosomes will be allowed to compete – resulting in the exclusion of transgender and intersex female athletes.

“Both Phil and Mark are seasoned federal prosecutors who each bring tremendous assets to the Fraud Team. With a combined 40+ years of prosecutorial experience, they will hit the ground running and make a lasting impact on the widespread and prolific benefit fraud we are seeing across the state.”

---United States Attorney Leah Foley naming two federal prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Mallard and Mark Grady, to lead the newly formed Benefit and Voter Fraud Team in rooting out benefit fraud in Massachusetts, including SNAP fraud, MassHealth fraud, childcare subsidy fraud and voter fraud.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the seven newest Climate Leader Communities. Their work to reduce municipal energy use and bills, add locally generated energy and create stronger, more resilient communities does not go unnoticed. Local energy projects like these add up to make Massachusetts more affordable and more resilient in the face of climate change.”

---Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, announcing that the Department of Energy Resources certified seven new Climate Leader Communities which are now eligible to apply for grants up to $1,150,000 each for projects that reduce municipal emissions, or for technical support ahead of projects.

“The scale of this event requires preparation at every level, and Massachusetts is putting in the work to make sure we are ready. We are no strangers to hosting major events like the Boston Marathon and the Army Navy game, and we’re building on that experience by bringing together more than 70 agencies, securing $76 million in federal funding and coordinating closely with partners across government to plan for every scenario. Residents and visitors alike can be confident that we are prepared to host a safe, secure and successful World Cup.”

---Gov. Maura Healey, detailing Massachusetts’ extensive public safety and public health preparations underway ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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 March 23-27, the House met for a total of six hours and 29 minutes and the Senate met for a total of one hour and three minutes.

Mon. March 23 House 11:00 a.m.to 11:09 a.m.

Senate 11:32 a.m.to 11:54 a.m.

Tues. March 24 No House session.

No Senate session.

Wed. March 25 House 11:59 a.m. to 6:12 p.m.

No Senate session

Thurs. March 26 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:07 a.m.

Senate 11:22 a.m. to 12:03 p.m.

Fri. March 27 No House session.

No Senate session.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com