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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Thursday, July 3, 2025 Page 13 BHRC | FROM PAGE13 in doubt, this legislation makes direct investments in local communities, our school systems and the infrastructure projects that keep Massachusetts moving forward.” CHANGE DATE OF STATE PRIMARY ELECTIONS (S 532) – The Election Laws Committee held a hearing on legislation that would change the Bay State primary election date from September to the second Tuesday in June. The bill also permits municipalities to schedule local elections on the same dates as presidential or state primaries which supporters say would enhance voter engagement, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. “It is outrageous that voters continue to face barriers to engagement, clerks continue to face significant administrative burdens and taxpayers continue to bear overly high costs due to our woefully outdated primary election schedule,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “The proof is in the pudding — our state's primary date has conflicted with Jewish holidays, rendered our clerks unable to comply with federal election law or clashed with other conflicts every single cycle for the better part of two decades, necessitating a date change each time.” Rausch continued, “The replacement dates have not been much better, falling on the Tuesday after Labor Day more than once. To the greatest extent we can, we should fix the aspects of our democracy that are broken, and our last-in-the-nation primary date is among the top of the list.” TAX CREDIT FOR CARING FOR ELDERLY OR DISABLED (H 3018) – A bill heard by the Revenue Committee would provide up to a $600 state income tax credit to any Massachusetts resident who care for an elderly or totally disabled relative with Alzheimer’s disease in the person’s home. Taxpayers are eligible if they provide more than half of the support for a relative age 70 or older or a totally disabled relative with Alzheimer’s disease; if their income is less than $20,000 for a single filer or less than $35,000 for a joint filer; and if the cared-for relative lives with the taxpayer for more than six months of the tax year. “Caring for an aging parent or a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be emotionally and financially overwhelming,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This bill provides a modest but meaningful tax credit to help families offset the high costs of home care, and to support those who are making great personal sacrifices to care for someone they love in the comfort and dignity of their own home.” PROHIBIT LEVEL 3 SEX OFFENDERS FROM LIVING WITH OTHER LEVEL 3 OFFENDERS (H 1786) - Legislation that would prohibit individuals who have been classified as a Level 3 sex offender from renting, residing or otherwise occupying a single-family dwelling or a unit in a multi-family dwelling with another level 3 sex offender, unless they are legally related by consanguinity, affinity or adoption, was one of the bills before the Judiciary Committee. Violators would be subject to a $1,000 fine and/or up to a 2.5year prison sentence. “Individuals classified as Level 3 sex offenders have committed serious crimes and pose a significant threat of reoffending in the future,” said sponsor House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Having two or more dangerous sex offenders residing together can create an extremely volatile situation that makes it even more likely they will reoffend. By preventing these individuals from living together, we can protect the public by minimizing their ability to potentially work in concert to reoffend.” DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS (H 4124) - The Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a hearing on a measure that would ban prisons from prohibiting an inmate from playing Dungeons and Dragons or other role-playing games. "Current law allows correctional facilities to ban role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons under the misguided belief that they promote gang activity or inappropriate behavior,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “This restriction is not only baseless, but it echoes the outdated paranoia of the 1980s 'Satanic Panic.' Denying incarcerated individuals the opportunity to engage in creative, collaborative and mentally stimulating games is an unreasonable infringement on their free time and rehabilitation potential." NO RIGHT TURN ON RED (S 1715) – Another bill heard by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee would prohibit vehicles from turning right on a red or stop signal. "Eliminating right turns on red improves pedestrian safety by reducing conflicts between turning vehicles and people crossing the street, especially protecting children, seniors and individuals with disabilities," said sponsor Sen. Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester). "It supports walkable, equitable communities with minimal impact on traffic flow while addressing risks from distracted or rushed driving." QUOTABLE QUOTES “Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators. By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities and the well-being of the next generation.” --- Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing that the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded more than $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program, which aims to make K–12 public school buildings more energy-efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators. “Good nutrition is a cornerstone of health, year-round. Programs like SUN Bucks let children focus on learning, playing and just being kids, rather than where their next meal will come from when school is closed.” --- Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh announcing the SUN Bucks program which provides grocery money to eligible low-income Massachusetts families with school-aged children in the summer months to buy food when schools are closed. The program started in June 2024 and last year served 584,441 Massachusetts children. “We’re working on every front to lower costs, from cutting taxes, to building more housing, to lowering your energy bill. Our legislation gets charges off bills, lowers overall energy costs and prevents big price swings that families and businesses can’t afford. We’re putting savings back in people’s pockets while continuing to move Massachusetts toward greater energy independence.” ---Gov. Healey testifying at a hearing on her legislation that she calls “The Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act,” which she says will lower energy bills and bring more energy into Massachusetts. “Today’s hearing is political theater. It’s the governor trying to deflect blame as she heads into an election year. The Healey administration wants credit for tackling energy costs, but their bill just recycles the same failed mandates that created the crisis in the first place." ---Paul Craney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, commenting on Healey’s bill. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of June 23-27, the House met for a total of six hours and 50 minutes while the Senate met for a total of five hours and 46 minutes. Mon. June 23 House11:00 a.m. to 11:32 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:27 a.m. Tues.June 24 No House session. No Senate session. Wed. June 25 No House session. No Senate session. Thurs. June 26 House11:02 a.m. to5:20 p.m. Senate 11:24 a.m. to4:55 p.m. Fri. June 27 No House session. No Senate session. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. C ayman’s Adventure (in Spanish/English): Tuesday, July 8, at 10:00 a.m.; toddlers (ages three to five) are invited to this bilingual storytelling adventure as we travel with imagination throughout Latin America learning about myths and tales. Join Juan Cayman on his adventure from the Amazon River to Barranquilla, where he explores a new path with the help of his friends. This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Longtime Malden Police Officer Erik Israelson retires JOB WELL DONE: Mayor Gary Christenson recently thanked longtime Malden Police Officer Erik Israelson upon his retirement from the Malden Police Department after more than 32 years of employment. Officer Israelson has served with distinction across multiple divisions throughout his career, always leading with professionalism, dedication and integrity. Before joining the Department, Erik served in the United States Marine Corps. The City thanks Officer Israelson for his tireless work, steady presence and unwavering commitment to public safety. (Courtesy photo) Children’s programs at the Malden Public Library Visit the Malden Public Library to pick up a calendar of the free programs (for ALL ages!) being offered this summer

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