Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 10, 2025 “45 Years of Dedication to our great City of Everett” Ward 1 Councilman Matewsky for ~ Voted Citywide ~ Councillor At-Large 86 Lewis St., Everett, MA * 617-389-5106 (Paid. Pol. Adv.) ADVOCATE ONLINE: www.advocatenews.net DiDomenico protects residents in day habilitation centers Wayne A. O Special to Th e Advocate n September 18, 2025, Senator Sal DiDomenico joined the Massachusetts Senate to approve legislation aimed at protecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by updating an existing protection law to close an unintended gap. An Act to update Nicky’s Law to protect individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, S.165, strengthens protections for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who participate in MassHealth-contracted day habilitation programs and ensures that participants in day habilitation programs are afforded the same safeguards from abuse as individuals in other care settings. The legislation ensures that the existing statewide registry that prevents individuals with substantiated abuse allegations from being hired in care positions would include day habilitation programs contracted by MassHealth. On September 22 the House of Representatives referred S.165 to its committee on Ways & Means. “I believe we are judged by how we treat the most vulnerable individuals in society, and this bill takes a big step forward in protecting our neighbors with intellectual or developmental disabilities,” the Senator said. “Expanding safeguards for day habilitation center residents will increase safety for our constituents and put their family’s minds at ease when taking them to these centers. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues and Senator Moore for their unwavering efforts on this important issue.” Following are some other comments on the bill: The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan: “The Arc of Massachusetts extends its immense gratitude to the Massachusetts Senate for their unanimous pasDIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 10 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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