THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 4, 2022 Page 9 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 influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. 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. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: As is customary during the February school vacation week, the Legislature met in only brief informal sessions and there were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. BILLS APPROVED BY SENATE AND STUCK IN THE HOUSE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS – Several bills have received unanimous or near-unanimous approval in the Senate as far back as September 2021 and are still stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee which has not acted on them and has not sent them to the full House for debate and a vote. Beacon Hill Roll Call asked House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) and House Ways and Means chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) for a comment on the four Senate-approved bills being stuck in the House and Means Committee. “They’re under review," was the brief three-word response from Ana Vivas, Mariano's spokesperson. Mariano’s office also cited five bills that have been approved by the House and are currently stuck in the Senate Ways Means Committee. Despite repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call, no one in House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz’s office responded to our request for a comment. Here are the four bills and how local senators voted on them: CHANGE GENDER ON BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND MORE (S 2533) On September 23, the Senate 39-0, approved a bill that would allow people to change their gender on their birth certificate, driver’s license, learner’s permit, identification card or liquor purchase identification card, including to a non-binary option other than male or female. The possible designations include “female,” “male” or “X” which would indicate that the person is another gender or an undesignated gender. The gender can only be changed by an adult, an emancipated minor or the parent or guardian of a minor. No documentation is required but the person changing the gender must submit an affidavit executed under the penalty of perjury attesting that the request is to conform to the person’s gender identity and is not made for any fraudulent purpose. The bill also directs the state to develop a plan for allowing a non-binary option on all state forms and instances where a gender choice is required. “People know what gender they are,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) at the time the measure was approved. “This bill simply allows for gender identification and IDs as diverse as our people. The Legislature must ensure that all of our constituents have access to IDs with nonbinary gender markers as beautifully diverse as they are.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes BENEFITS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES (S 2558) On October 21, the Senate 39-0, approved legislation that would support military families who relocate to the Bay State by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and education for their children. Provisions include making it easier for military personnel and their spouses who move to the Bay State to get a Massachusetts professional license, if their job requires one, so that they can continue their civilian careers and provide for their families without interruption; requiring the Commissioner of Education to issue a military spouse a valid certificate for teaching if he or she holds a valid teaching license from another state; allowing children of military members to register and enroll in a school district at the same time it is open to the general population by waiving the proof of residency requirement until the student actually begins school; creating a purple-star campus designation for certain schools that are military-kid friendly and show a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military; and requiring that a child or spouse of an active-duty service member in Massachusetts continue to pay the in-state less expensive tuition rate at state universities even if the service member is assigned to move out of the state. “Our commonwealth has always led from the front in terms of taking care of our active-duty service members and veterans, but I strongly believe that there is more we can do for the spouses and children of service-members who also call Massachusetts their home,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) at the time the proposal was approved. “Anyone who has worn the uniform or has a family member who has worn the uniform knows that the sacrifice of military service goes far beyond the individual service member. By passing this legislation, we are saying to these families that we understand their challenges, that we recognize the great sacrifices that they have made and that we are committed to doing everything we can to support them.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS (S 2572) On November 17, the Senate 39-0, approved a measure known as the Mental Health Addressing Barriers to Care (ABC) Act that will make mental health care more accessible in the Bay State. “Today, the Massachusetts Senate took vital strides toward transforming mental health care in Massachusetts,” said sponsor Sen. 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