Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 15, 2023 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 to $5,000 the amount of money that can be donated to a Super PAC; requiring Internet service providers, manufacturers of mobile phones and other wireless devices, carriers, personal wireless services, and wireless facilities to limit the emission of non-ionizing radiation that cannot directly remove electrons from atoms or molecules, to as low or safe as reasonably achievable; directing theLegislature to adopt California’s pending Age Appropriate Design Code bill, consider improvements to privacy laws and minimize on-line data collection in public primary and secondary schools and public colleges. See the complete list of proposed ballot questions and their fate at https://www.mass. gov/info-details/ballot-initiatives-filed-for-the-2024-biennial-statewide-election-proposed-laws-and-2026-biennial-statewide-election-proposed-constitutional-amendments LOGO CONTEST – The Executive Office of Veterans Services has announced a contest for residents to design a new logo for that office which in March was elevated to be part of the governor’s cabinet rather than just a state agency. The announcement notes that over the past six months, the office has undergone a significant transformation in the departments and programs under its umbrella, including overseeing the state’sveteran’s homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. “We are at a pivotal juncture where our logo needs to mirror the diversity of today’s veterans, whose service spans eras from World War II to Afghanistan,” said Jon Santiago, the former Boston state representative who is now the secretary of Veterans Affairs. “The new … logo should embody transparency, accountability and our mission to honorably serve those who served us.” The current logo features a minuteman, symbolizing the Massachusetts militia dating back to the mid-18th century. The contest invites participation from residents ages 18 and older. All designers are encouraged to channel their creativity into a logo that encapsulates the camaraderie, resilience and sacrifices of veterans, both past and present. The deadline to submit designs is October 4, 2023. “We are eager to witness the outpouring of talent and dedication as Massachusetts residents contribute to shaping a symbol that embodies the true essence of our veterans and their families,” said Santiago. For details on how to enter, go to: https://www.mass.gov/ eovs-logo-contest JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills. This hearing was the one that began on July 18 was disrupted by an electrical fire and was rescheduled for last week. Bills before the committee include: BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOS (H 1386) – Would impose a $500 fine on anyone who sells or gives a body piercing or tattooing kit to an unlicensed practitioner or a minor. “Studies show that home piercing or tattooing leads to an increased risk of communicable diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This legislation would install further protections to ensure that only licensed trained professionals are providing these services. With a rise in popularity of home piercing and home tattooing kits, we need to ensure our laws are current with the trend.” EXPUNGE HARASSMENT PREVENTION ORDERS (H 1620) – Would require harassment prevention orders to be expunged from a defendant’s record if and when the order is vacated on a motion made by the plaintiff. “I sponsored this bill because under the current law the process of having a defendant’s record expunged when the harassment prevention order is vacated is nearly impossible and can have negative consequences for those undergoing background checks when applying for various jobs,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). MINORS AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS (H 1605) – Would allow minors, ages 13 to 17 years old, to appear in court, without a parent, guardian or attorney when filing for a protective order. Under current law, these minors are required to be accompanied by one of the above. Supporters say that these requirements impede the child’s ability to obtain immediate relief from abuse, dating violence and trafficking. They note the bill will provideincreased access to the court and open a pathway to resources, including the Department of Children and Families and other advocate services, that can help keep a child safe. “I have filed this legislation for many years. It was originally meant to go hand in hand with my legislation to ban child marriage, which passed in 2022,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton).“According to the Department of Children and Families, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the country. This problem has grave consequences both immediately and for years to come, as research has found long lasting physical and mental health issues as a result of abuse during childhood. I’m very glad the Legislature acted to ban child marriage during the last session, and now I think it’s time to allow minors to file protective orders as well.” DONATE FOOD (H 1594, S 920 and S 1016) – These three bills would provide civil liability protections to individuals, restaurants and organizations that make direct food donations to persons in need. The donor would also receive a tax credit of up to $5,000. Supporters say that food insecurity levels across the commonwealth remain high and note that approximately 900,000 tons of food still end up in Bay State landfills every year. “Currently, donations must be routed through nonprofits to receive liability protections, an onerous requirement that causes a large quantity of perishable food to go to waste,” said co-sponsor Sen. Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell). “For example, employees closing a pizza restaurant might refrain from giving a surplus pie to a homeless individual due to fear of liability. This legislation extends liability protections to cover direct donations of food to persons in need, ensuring that far more people can receive donations of unspoiled, perishable food. “Research shows that anywhere from 30 percent to 40 percent of the food supply is wasted in the United States at every stage of food production and distribution,” said co-sponsors Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “Farmers, for example, often have crop yields which exceed the amount grocery stores or farmer’s markets will purchase, leaving fresh food to be thrown out or tilled under rather than sold and eaten. “At the same time,” the pair continued, “the number of food insecure families continues to grow. A 2022 study done by the Greater Boston Food Bank found that 32 percent of Massachusetts residents lack food security. Reducing barriers to donation at the intersection of food waste and food insecurity directly targets both problems, allowing food to go to those who need it. Farmers have expressed that they would like to donate extra food and would do so if their labor and storage costs are reduced, and many local food panties, squeezed for resources, welcome the opportunity to fill their shelves and better serve their consumers. QUOTABLE QUOTES “The Wall Street Journal’s metrics – student outcomes, learning environments and diversity – directly measure student success during and after they earn their degree. A college degree is an investment in your future and for UMass Lowell students and alumni, the Wall Street Journal rankings are one more proof point of what they experience every day. ---UMass Lowell Provost Joe Hartman on the announcement that the university was named the number one public HOUSE BILL 5138 H ouse Bill 5138 is proposed federal legislation that would amend the Medicare program in order to count a period of “outpatient” observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the three day inpatient hospital stay requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services. When Medicare does cover skilled nursing home care, the first 20 days are covered at one hundred percent. The next 80 days involve a co-pay up to $200 per day by the nursing home patient. After 100 days, the nursing home patient needs to pay one hundred percent of the nursing home cost, unless MassHealth is applied for and eligibility is achieved. What this means is that a Medicare beneficiary who needs post-acute care in a skilled nursing facility would not have to pay out of pocket for those services if they did not have a qualifying three day hospital admission, but instead received observation services as outpatients. The bill is intended to address a longstanding issue that affects many Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized for short periods of time, but do not meet the criteria for inpatient status. Under current Medicare rules, beneficiaries must have a three day inpatient hospital stay in order to qualify for coverage of skilled nursing facility services. However, many hospitals place patients under observation status, which is considered an outpatient service, rather than admitting them as patients. This can result in higher out of pocket costs for beneficiaries who need post-acute care, as they are responsible for paying the coinsurance and deductible for the skilled nursing facility stay, which can amount to thousands of dollars. This bill would eliminate the financial burden for beneficiaries allowing them to count any days spent in observation status toward the three day inpatient hospital stay requirement. This would align Medicare policy with the current clinical practice of hospitals, which often use observation status to monitor and treat patients who do not need intensive care, but are not ready to be discharged. The bill would also provide more transparency and clarity for beneficiaries and providers about the coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. school in Massachusetts in the 2024 Wall Street Journal Best Colleges in the United States ranking. “Abortion costs are already well above the average out-ofpocket medical expenditures and in the post-Dobbs context, interstate travel costs are even higher. In states like Massachusetts, we know the state government as well as advocates and healthcare providers are very invested in ensuring abortion access. We hope the data from this study serves as an example of how states across the country that share this commitment can monitor the trends in and needs of interstate travelers.” --- Elizabeth Janiak, director of social science research at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts on a study thatsays that more patients are traveling to Massachusetts from other states for abortion care and that use of non-profit abortion funding in Massachusetts has increased following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that xxxxxxx. “The state has legislation that protects our beloved pets in extreme heat. It’s time to have the same protective measures in place for our students in classrooms … The heat conditions in our public schools throughout Massachusetts, which have led to school closures and early dismissals, are unacceptable. --- Massachusetts Teachers Association Vice President Deb BEACON | SEE PAGE 23
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