23

THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 Page 23 Baker fi les legislation to further support military families transferring to Massachusetts n late September the Baker-Polito Administration filed legislation (Senate Bill 2542) to improve the occupational licensing process for certain professions for military families transferring to Massachusetts. The legislation would help facilitate license portability for military families transferring to military installations in Massachusetts by entering the Commonwealth into a series of interstate licensure compacts and other agreements. On September 27, the Senate referred S.2542 to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and FederI al Aff airs. “This legislation will help the Commonwealth further improve and streamline the process for military families who are looking to transfer their professional licenses to Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is committed to helping these military families successfully resettle in the Commonwealth, and these steps will ensure that military families who are making Massachusetts their new home will have an easier time in keeping their professional licenses and maintaining that source of income.” “Massachusetts has a long history of supporting the many military veterans and their families here who have made diffi cult sacrifi ces during their service,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “That support includes prioritizing professional licenses for incoming families, and this bill removes additional barriers to household stability and civilian careers for those transferring to military installations in the Commonwealth.” The legislation would implement recommendations made by the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) – formerly the Division of Professional Licensure – in accordance with Executive Order 593, which was signed by Baker in February 2021. The Executive Order directed the DOL to study interstate compacts and similar agreements relative to licensure for professions licensed by five boards under DOL’s purview. The professions covered by this order were identifi ed by the Air Force and Department of Defense and include physical therapists (and physical therapy assistants), accountants, engineers, psychologists and barbers and cosmetologists. Upon implementation of this bill, Massachusetts would be able to participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, the Physical Therapy Compact and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Participation in these compacts allows qualifi ed practitioners from member states to obtain the ability to practice in Massachusetts via a streamlined process that reduces regulatory burdens for these professionals while also enhancing access to care for the consumer. In turn, Massachusetts licensees would also benefi t from the ability to practice in other states that are part of the compacts. “Behind each of the Commonwealth’s six military installations are dedicated men and women serving their nation and providing for their families,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Michael Kennealy. “These military installations drive signifi cant economic activity, and by simplifying the process of transferring professional licenses, we can increase our support for military families relocating to Massachusetts by making it easier for those family members holding professional licenses to continue their careers.” “The DOL continues to prioritize professional licenses for military personnel and their spouses and is committed to improving the licensee experience,” said DOL Commissioner Layla D’Emilia. “The addition of interstate compacts, streamlined DOL web resources for military-connected applicants, and appointment of dedicated staff to support these applicants helps to further ease the process for military families relocating to Massachusetts.” “This eff ort refl ects the misDEA issues Public Safety Alert on sharp increase in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and meth T he federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine (meth). DEA’s Public Safety Alert, its fi rst in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a signifi cant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate. These counterfeit pills have been seized by DEA in every U.S. state in unprecedented quantities. More than 9.5 million counterfeit pills were seized so far this year, which is more than in the last two years combined. DEA laboratory testing reveals a dramatic rise in the number of counterfeit pills containing at least two milligrams of fentanyl, which is considered a lethal dose. A deadly dose of fentanyl is small enough to fi t on the tip of a pencil. Counterfeit pills are illegally manufactured by criminal drug networks and are made to look like real prescription opioid medications – such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin) and alprazolam (Xanax) – or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall). Fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms – making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors. “The United States is facing an unprecedented crisis of overdose deaths fueled by illegally manufactured fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said DEA AdministraDEA | SEE PAGE 24 sion and eff ectiveness of the Commonwealth’s Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF) in protecting and strengthening our military installations,” said MASSTF Executive Director John Beatty. “Led by the governor’s team, we have worked across the Baker-Polito Administration and with our state legislators, installation leaders, our Mass National Guard, and directly with the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and Army to ensure we arrived at the right initiative that will guarantee Massachusetts remains a welcoming place for service members and their families.” This bill seeks to build on previously enacted laws, including Valor Act I of 2012 and Valor Act II of 2014, that assist and support military families returning from active duty or relocating to Massachusetts. The Commonwealth remains a leader in professional licensure, ensuring that licensees receive proper training to practice in their field safely and competently. This legislation to join interstate compacts will not only assist the military community and licensees, but the citizens of the Commonwealth will have increased access to the best healthcare available.

24 Publizr Home