Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 26, 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 51 - Report No. 25 June 15-19, 2026 By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 15-19. LITERACY EDUCATION STANDARDS (H 5511) House 153-0, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill dealing with teacher preparation and student literacy. The measure would establish clear statewide standards for evidence-based reading instruction— requiring the teaching of phonics, ensuring access to high-quality K-3 curricula, enhancing educator training and support and creating new reporting and accountability systems. The bill defi nes evidence-based early literacy as instruction featuring phonics, fl uency, vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic awareness, and is demonstrated to produce signifi cant and positive eff ects on student learning outcomes. It prohibits curricula that are not evidence-based and curricula that rely on implicit or incidental word reading strategies. Another provision formalizes dyslexia and literacy screening requirements by requiring schools to develop protocols for identifying potential neurological learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and to report their screening practices annually. “This is a pivotal moment for children across our state as we advance the critical legislation I fi led to ensure every student gains essential literacy skills,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “We all recognize that teaching our kids to read and write is one of the most fundamental responsibilities we have, yet far too many students are still falling short of basic literacy benchmarks. As co-chair of the conference committee, I was proud to collaborate with many educators ~ HELP WANTED ~ Type of Person Needed: * Are you an experienced/willing to learn, motivated person looking for a shop where your skills can be valued? A local company with a fleet shop is a busy, family-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality transportation services and public State inspection services. We are seeking a talented Automotive Technician or mechanical knowledge to join our close-knit crew. If you are dependable and proficient in automotive technical work with a passion for excellent customer service, we want to talk to you. Location: Malden, MA Job Description: * Be able to acquire and maintain a certification for the State Inspection License. Perform light duty mechanical preventive duties, including Fleet preventive maintenance. * State Inspection Services * Miscellaneous shop duties Requirements: * Valid driver’s license with good driving history * Possess or pass the required State Inspector License Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM * Rate will be based on experience Contact: Ed Hyde or David Morovitz Call: 781-322-9401 Email: ehyde@maldentrans.com Website: www.maldentrans.com to craft evidence-based policies that will strengthen early literacy instruction and set our students on a path to lifelong success.” “It is unacceptable that less than half of young students in Massachusetts are profi cient in reading at their grade level,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate chair of the Education Committee. “This important legislation ensures that educators use evidence-based early literacy curricula that are backed by science while leaving schools fl exibility to decide what curriculum is best for their students and teachers. Strengthening student literacy through evidence-based instruction has decades of scientifi c research and improved outcomes backing it up. With the passage of this bill, the Massachusetts Legislature continues its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students across the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS (H 5510) House 151-0, approved a $3.5 billion bond bill that supporters said will modernize environmental laws, strengthen climate resilience, support agricultural and food systems, streamline permitting processes and improve the management of the state’s natural resources. They noted the bill advances a broad set of reforms designed to help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change, accelerate critical infrastructure projects, improve environmental protections and support Bay State cities and towns. The Senate has already approved its own version of the bill, and a House-Senate conference committee will likely be appointed to hammer out a compromise version. Provisions of the House bill include establishing a new Resilience Revolving Fund to help municipalities, tribal governments and public water and wastewater districts fi nance climate-resilient infrastructure projects and technical assistance; creating new commissions and advisory bodies focused on fl ood mitigation, air quality, coastal resilience and long-term climate preparedness; streamlining permitting and environmental review processes for priority housing developments, nature-based solutions projects, culvert replacements, wetland restoration eff orts and other projects that advance climate resilience while maintaining environmental protections; expanding representation on the Massachusetts Food Policy Council; modernizing commercial feed regulations; strengthening enforcement tools for agricultural programs; and improving transparency for prospective homebuyers and tenants by requiring fl ood risk disclosures. Funding includes $385 million for the Water Pollution Abatement Trust to support wastewater, stormwater and drinking water projects; $315 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Program for cities and towns to assess climate risks; and $308 million for the repair, construction and removal of state-owned dams and coastal infrastructure including seawalls, docks, culverts and salt marshes. “There is perhaps no responsibility more fundamental to the role of government than ensuring that residents have access to clean drinking water and are breathing clean air,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy.) “This legislation is the latest example of Massachusetts’ ironclad commitment to protecting our environment and to leading the fi ght against climate change. At the same time, the bill takes steps to ensure that the commonwealth’s environmental regulations aren’t unnecessarily burdensome when issuing permits for new housing developments and other critical infrastructure projects.” “Today, the House passed … the largest state investment in climate resilience in our state’s history,” said Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House Chair of the Committee on EnvironBEACON | SEE PAGE 17 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT Middlesex Probate and Family Court 10-U Commerce Way Woburn MA, 01801 In the matter of: Alicha Azemard Of: Everett, MA RESPONDENT Alleged Incapacitated Person Docket No. MI26P3167GD CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR INCAPACITATED PERSON PURSUANT TO G.L. c. 190B, Section 5-304 To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Mass Dept of Mental Health of Westborough, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Alicha Azemard is in need of a Guardian and requesting that (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve Without Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is incapacitated, that the appointment of a Guardian is necessary, and that the proposed Guardian is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court and may contain a request for certain specific authority. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 AM on the return date of 07/16/2026. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the abovenamed person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. WITNESS, Hon. Terri L. Klug Cafazzo, First Justice of this Court. Date: June 18, 2026 TARA DECRISTOFARO REGISTER OF PROBATE June 26, 2026
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