Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, February 8, 2019 Macy’s donates jackets to YouthHarbors Sen. DiDomenico leads Senate rules debate BOSTON – Last week the Massachusetts Senate passed YouthHarbors Case Manager Madelin Henriquez Duarte is shown with Everett High School Principal Erick Naumann (left) and Vice Principal Christopher Barrett (right) on Feb. 5. YouthHarbors received a donation of new jackets from Macy’s that were distributed to five deserving students. The organization provides students with housing assistance, an adult support network and individualized life skills so they can find safety in appropriate housing, graduate from high school and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. (Courtesy Photo) two comprehensive reports updating the Senate and Joint Rules related to harassment, diversity and transparency. State Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) served as Chair of the temporary Senate Committee on Rules, which is charged with reviewing and making recommendations on changes to the Senate and Joint Rules. DiDomenico led weeks of negotiations among his colleagues on the Committee regarding how to update the Senate and House’s policies and procedures for conducting official business. After the Committee’s proposals were released, senators had the opportunity to file amendments, and Senator DiDomenico led the debate on the two rules packages on the Senate floor. “I would like to thank Senate President Spilka and my colleagues who served with me on the temporary Senate Committee on Rules for their collaboration and dedication to ensuring Sal DiDomenico State Senator a safe environment, transparency and integrity in our body,” said DiDomenico. “These rules are the result of a truly collaborative process, and I am grateful to every member who reached out over the past few weeks to share their thoughts on our rules and suggestions on how we can improve the ways we conduct our business. I am confident that the policy procedures adopted today will lay the foundation for thoughtful debate in our chamber and a productive legislative session.” “We create the culture of the Senate by how we work together and the respect we show each other,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The adoption of these rules will help guide us as we continue to build a Senate that celebrates diversity, seeks to prevent harassment and discrimination, and encourages transparency. I applaud the work of the temporary Senate Committee on Rules for their thoroughness and thoughtfulness, and thank everyone who contributed to this process.” In May 2018, the Senate Special Committee to review the sexual harassment policies and procedures submitted its report with a series of recommendations for updates to the Senate’s policies and procedures. Key highlights to the Senate rules proposal include tightening up existing protocol by creating a new rule that explicitly prohibits harassment, requiring timely training of all members and staff and including interns in Senate policies. The proposal also requires all rule violations, including harassment, to be referred to the Committee on Ethics. The Senate also adopted an amendment filed by State Representative Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) prohibiting the Senate from using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) or similar clauses in an agreement or contract, and enforcing previously entered into NDAs. “I want to thank Senate President Spilka and Chair DiDomenico for working with members to send a clear, unmistakable message that we are committed to protecting the rights of those working in this building and will take no part in protecting politicians or their employees who engage in predatory behaviors or be a party to the silencing of victims of harassment, discrimination or assault,” said DiZoglio. The Senate rules proposal also includes the creation of the position of an Officer of Diversity and Inclusion who will be part of the Senate’s human resources department and who will focus on the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce. Building on the work of the 2018 Special Legislative Commission on Public Records, the Senate adopted amendments to both the Senate and the Joint Rules to improve efficiency, transparency and access to records. The Senate rules proposal codifies the current practice of providing copies of Senate session broadcasts upon request to members and the public in a timely manner. It also includes provisions to ensure timely notification of Senate hearings and Senate committee action. The Joint Rules package • Requires both Senate and House chairs to agree to the schedule of committee hearings and executive sessions to avoid confliction with other committees or sessions; directs the clerk of the House and Senate to establish temporary rules for joint committees unable to come to agreement on rules • Requires joint committees to provide text or summaries of legislation to members prior to consideration at executive session • Requires all recorded votes of joint committees to be posted on the General Court website • Increases the notification requirement for joint committee hearings and executive sessions from 48 to 72 hours • Increases the notice requirement of special commissions and task forces from 48 to 72 hours The Senate Rules adopted will * A Delta Dental Premier Provider Dr. Mario Abdennour, Dr. Bhavisha Patel, Dr. Priti Amlani, Dr. Bruce Goldman and team. now go into effect. The Joint Rules passed by the Senate will now be reconciled with a proposal by the House of Representatives; DiDomenico will continue to play a key role in the negotiations.
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