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Page 24 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 29, 2024 BHRC | FROM PAGE 22 step because of Congressional inaction, today we are addressing the immediate need to house families, bolstering our existing efforts to support those who have immigrated here in becoming part of our workforce, and providing a roadmap to manage this effort over time.” “The Senate recognized the necessity of continuing to proactively respond swiftly and decisively to meet this unprecedented humanitarian emergency shelter crisis headon, by not only providing the requisite funds to address this crisis, but also provide a longterm framework to transition these families out of temporary shelters and into permanent housing,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With $250 million in emergency funding for fiscal year 2024, we can weather this challenge as we develop solutions for rehousing families, provide workforce opportunities and integrate these children into our public school system. “I voted No on the supplemental budget because the “Right to Shelter” law is costing the commonwealth $3 million a day to house, feed, protect and educate or provide childcare services to individuals and families who are not our residents,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “Our emergency shelter program was never meant to handle the number of individuals it is housing today and the federal government, who has the sole authority to handle this immigration crisis and provide financial relief to states, is nowhere to be found,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) who also voted against the measure. “As the demand for the program continues at this unsustainable rate, we simply cannot continue to fund this ourselves without jeopardizing countless critical programs that we hold dear.” Sen. Bruce Tarr, the chief opponent of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain why he voted against it. (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES MUST CONSULT WITH STATE (S 2708) Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would require resettlement agencies to consult on a monthly basis with the Governor’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to ascertain the projected availability of space in the state’s shelter system. It also prohibits resettlement agencies from undertaking resettlement activity when it is foreseeable that the shelter system will exceed capacity. “By directing resettlement agencies to work more closely with the Healey Administration, [the amendment] would have helped the commonwealth better forecast its shelter capacity and ensure that we always have space for those who need it most,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury) who voted in favor of the amendment. “I believe this would’ve been key to ensuring that our emergency shelter system is not overrun and that we can keep costs from spiraling out of control.” Amendment opponents said the amendment is unnecessary and argued the resettlement agencies do a great job and should not be handcuffed and tied up with the bureaucracy. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment and Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) who opposed the amendment did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to explain why they voted the way they did. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No TAKE INTO ACCOUNT LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN BAY STATE (S 2708) Senate 12-27, rejected an amendment that would require the state take into account an individual’s length of residency in Massachusetts when determining priority in securing emergency shelter. “While this amendment is not a residency requirement, it would’ve made sure those who have demonstrated a longer commitment to the commonwealth are prioritized for extended stays in the commonwealth’s emergency shelter system,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury) who voted for the amendment. “To be clear, there are important exceptions to this rule – those who are at imminent risk of harm due to domestic violence and those who are making progress toward work authorization will not be skipped over. This strikes me as a reasonable compromise to ensure our emergency shelter system is available to Bay Staters who need it first, while preserving the spirit of the law that maintains Massachusetts as a place that is welcoming to all.” Amendment opponents said this would essentially create an unfair residency requirement that would have Bay State residents competing with each other for slots. They noted there are already reasonable provisions in the bill which prioritize pregnant women, victims of domestic abuse, work status and veterans’ status. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment and Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) who proposed the amendment did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to explain why they voted the way they did. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment giving preference to length of residency. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No CONDUCT SAFETY REVIEW (S 2708) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in conjunction with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to conduct a safety review of current safety practices and implement recommendations to reduce the risk to human life and safety. “It is essential that state run emergency shelters and overflow sites maintain the highest standards of safety to protect the families in our care,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m pleased the Senate unanimously adopted this amendment to require a clear and effective safety plan at these sites.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS IN CONDO PARKING SPACES (H 1303) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prevent condominium associations, neighborhood conservation districts and historic district commissions, from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting owners from installing EV charging equipment in or near an owner’s parking space. Restrictions that significantly increase the cost of the equipment, decrease its efficiency or effectively prohibit its installation would not be permitted. The bill would also require owners to pay the costs of installing and maintaining the charging equipment and for the costs of the electricity consumed during charging. “As the commonwealth moves away from gas powered vehicles, we are going to need increased access to electric vehicle charging stations,” said co-sponsor Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D-Lexington). “With 40 percent of emissions coming out of our transportation systems, it is essential that we make operating an electric vehicle as seamless as owning a gas vehicle. For that reason, we can’t have local siting boards prioritize aesthetics over access to charging.” COVID-19 REMEMBRANCE DAY (H 2987) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would designate March 10th as COVID-19 Remembrance Day to honor all the people, especially older adults and people with disabilities, who died or were stricken with COVID-19. The measure also expresses appreciation of first responders, caregivers and researchers who cared for victims or developed treatments or vaccines in response to the virus. The measure would not take effect until March of 2025 since March 10th of this year has already passed. “I am very pleased to see action taken toward establishing COVID-19 Remembrance Day which would honor those who have been lost to or affected by COVID,” said co-sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “It also acknowledges the essential workers who helped us get through the hardest times and contributed to our commonwealth’s recovery.” “At the time of the pandemic, I was the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, and had an upfront seat, in a sense, to the tragedy that was unfolding especially in our nursing homes, and to aging adults, generally,” said co-sponsor Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton). “ I feel it is important to remember those we lost and to honor those who helped keep us safe.” REQUIRE BANKS AND OTHER MORTGAGE LENDERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (H 933) – The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would require banks and other mortgage lenders to provide additional information on a monthly basis to their borrowers including the balance of principal remaining; a confirmation of the most recent payment received; the balance of any escrow accounts; and a description of any payments from those escrow accounts. “The intent of this legislation is to provide mortgage customers with the tools they need to ensure knowledge of their financial situation,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This bill is an easy measure that we can take to help residents achieve greater financial stability and awareness.” MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND CANNABIS EVENT (H 112) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would prohibit anyone under age 21 from attending any marijuana-related event, forum, convention or conference to promote or encourage marijuana use or to educate users or prospective users on marijuana use. The measure exempts prevention programs for youth, youth educational programs or substance abuse programs related to marijuana use. Any event organizer who violates this law would be fined $2,000 but the fine would not be imposed if the organizer reasonably relied on IDs that turned out to be phony. “This [existing] loophole contradicts laws that prohibit cannabis consumption for people younger than 21,” said sponsor Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “Closing this loophole will provide clarity and prevent youths from attending cannabis-related events,” CHANGE LANGUAGE IN LAW THAT CREATED COUNCILS ON AGING (H 624) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would change some language in the 50-year-old law that created Councils on Aging in local cities and towns. Changes include deleting language that refers to “problems of the aging” and replacing it with “the needs of older adults;” deleting language that calls workers “clerks” and replacing it with language that calls workers “staff;” and adding “and delivering services” to the language in the bill which gives the council the authority to “carry out programs.” Supporters said the bill modernizes the language in a 50-year-old law that created Councils on Aging at a time when there were very few senior centers. They noted that the number of Councils on Aging and senior centers has grown to 350 and said the bill updates the statute to reflect the modern functioning of these critical centers. Sponsor Rep. Kate Donaghue (D-Westborough) said she is thrilled that the bill received initial approval. “I filed this bill because senior cenBHRC | SEE PAGE 25

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