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Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 21, 2024 Massachusetts is one of only Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList— the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/ su/aPTLucKs THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 10-14. REVENGE PORN AND TEEN SEXTING (H 4744) House 155-0, Senate 38-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. two states that does not have a law about this crime. The measure makes it illegal to break this new law and establishes a sentence of up to 2.5 years in prison and/or a fi ne of up to $10,000; increases the upper limit of the fi ne for criminal harassment from $1,000 to $5,000; allows a victim to petition the court for a harassment prevention order against a person who has violated this statute; and extends the statute of limitations to pursue criminal charges for certain domestic violence off enses from six years to 15 years. The measure adds coercive control to the definition of abuse. Coercive control is a nonphysical form of abuse that includes a pattern of behavior intended to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, control, coerce or compel compliance of a family or household member in a manner that causes the targeted individual to fear physical harm or to have a reduced sense of physical safety or autonomy. Examples of coercive control include threatening to share explicit images, regulating or monitoring a family or household member’s communications and access to services, and isolating a family or household member from friends or relatives. Another provision changes current law under which minors, under 18 years of age, who share explicit images of themselves or other minors, can be charged with violating Massachusetts child pornography laws and are required to register with the Sex Off ender ANNOUNCEMENT Registry. The bill allows minors to be diverted to an educational program that would provide them with information about the consequences of posting or transmitting indecent visual depictions of minors. “The House has heard the urgent call of survivors to enhance protections and ensure that our laws keep up with technology,” said Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), House chair of the Judiciary Committee and lead House sponsor of the measure. “But the House does not just listen, we act.” “After so many years of hard work, we are fi nally at a stage where we can bring closure to those who continue to suff er the consequences, and live under the threat of, revenge pornography and abusive control,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), lead Senate sponsor of the legislation. “We are sending a message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated in our commonwealth … Once this bill is signed into law, we will be able to rectify and prevent so many injustices across Massachusetts.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes PARENTING (H 4762) House 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters say would ensure legal parentage equality by protecting LGBTQ+ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship. Supporters said that parental rights and responsibilities are broad and include the ability to attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s fi nances, participate in educational decisions and provide authorizations for a child’s travel. They noted that while Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage 20 years ago, LGBTQ+ residents continue to face signifi - cant barriers in obtaining full legal recognition as a parent. “Today marks a major adREVERE AMERICAN LEGION POST #61 Is reopening soon! We are happy to announce that we have begun taking reservations for our function hall at 249 Broadway, Revere for events after May 20, 2024 For information, please call 781-284-9511 Leave your name and telephone number. vancement in the reinforcement of equal rights for LGBTQ+ families in the commonwealth, assuring that children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy have a clear route to establish their legal parentage,” said Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton), a lead sponsor of the bill. “A child’s relationship to their parents is core to their overall stability and well-being, and it is from that relationship that so many rights and responsibilities fl ow.” “The [bill] is a critical piece of legislation for so many families in the commonwealth, particularly LGBTQ+ families,” said Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), a lead sponsor of the bill. “By updating the commonwealth’s parentage laws, we will provide clarity, security and equality in the matters of parentage, refl ecting the evolving realities and complexities of assisted reproduction, surrogacy and LGBTQ+ parenthood that has to date left many families vulnerable.” “What we are doing today is giving a tune up to our statutory structure to refl ect the modern and contemporary ways that people become parents whether they are straight or gay,” said Rep. Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown). “This is a bill that is good for everyone in the commonwealth of Massachusetts.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes OPIOIDS (H 4743) House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that supporters say will cover the licensure of recovery coaches who help people with substance use, make opioid overdose reversal drugs more accessible, protect harm reduction providers and remove barriers that new mothers in recovery face at the time they give birth. Provisions include establishing recovery coach licensing and oversight within the Department of Public Health; and requiring that all health care plans cover recovery coach services and opioid overdose reversal drugs, such as Naloxone, without cost-sharing or prior authorization. The bill protects public health or harm reduction organizations and their agents who provide drug-checking services, such as needle exchange programs, to reduce the risk of accidental overdose, from civil liability or professional disciplinary action and from being criminally charged or prosecuted for possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of controlled substances. Another provision removes “physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth” from the conditions necessitating a child abuse and neglect report, essentially exempting pregnant people taking medications prescribed by their doctor from automatic investigation by the Department of Children and Families. “The bill passed today builds on the commitment of the House to support individuals and communities across the commonwealth who are dealing with the eff ects of the opioid crisis,” said Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-East Boston), House chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “This legislation builds on our historical commitment to reducing stigma and providing comprehensive support for individuals in recovery,” said Rep. Jim O’Day (D-West Boylston), lead sponsor of the bill. “By embracing harm reduction strategies, patient education and compassionate care, we are advancing public health and offering renewed hope to those aff ected by substance use disorders. Together, we are forging a path towards a healthier, more supportive future for all.” “As families across Massachusetts know all too well, the impact of opioid addiction can be utterly devastating for the individual and for their loved ones, which is why a continued focus on combating substance use is a critical responsibility that we have as elected offi cials,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes VETERANS BENEFITS (S 2817) Senate 38-0, approved a package designed to benefi t veterans in the Bay State by broadening the defi nition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefi ts for which they are eligible and modernizing the services on which they rely. Provisions include requiring a public school district to provide support services to a military-connected student when a parent or guardian is called to active duty; allowing Gold Star Family spouses to remarry without the penalty of losing their annuity benefi t; increasing from $2,000 to $2,500 the amount of a tax credit for each qualifi ed veteran hired by an employer; eliminating the fee for specialty license plates for veterans; increasing local fl exibility for veterans property tax exemptions; and allowing municipalities to increase the property tax obligation of a veteran in exchange for volunteer services; Other provisions include modernizing statute language for inclusivity and standardization to ensure gender- neutral and inclusive language while removing antiquated references; allowing veterans to be reimbursed for visits to outpatient behavioral health providers; providing consistent care to veterans by codifying medical assistance benefi ts; and creating a working group to study BEACON | SEE PAGE 18

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