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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 16, 2024 Page 17 BHRC | FROM PAGE 16 without even an abbreviated opportunity to read what was in the bill was not something I was willing to embrace,” said Rep. Matt Muratore (R-Plymouth). “This bill was passed on August 1st around 9 a.m. after being in session since July 31st at noon. We had very little time to review.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Sen. Jason Lewis Yes Yes Yes $1.5 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER RELIEF (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Massachusetts Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated. “I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Yes $800,000 FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD PROGRAMS (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $800,000 (reducing funding from $12.7 million to $11.9 million) for the Department of Agriculture. The veto includes cuts of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Food Trust Program; another $100,000 from the Buy Local effort; and the entire $250,000 for local food policy councils. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $800,000 was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary,” said Gov. Healey. “I am reducing two earmarks to amounts more consistent with my House [budget] recommendation and eliminating one program earmark that was intended to be a one-year program. (A “Yes” vote is for the $800,000. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Yes $5 MILLION FOR FOOD SECURITY (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $5 million (reducing funding from $10 million to $5 million) for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program which was created to ensure that individuals and families have access to food, especially food that is produced locally, and equitable access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fisherman and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $5 million was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary due to the availability of alternative resources,” said Gov. Healey. (A “Yes” vote is for the $5 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Yes DISABILITY PENSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS (S 2887) Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would provide police officers who have suffered a violent act injury, 100 percent regular compensation and pension benefits, until they reach the age of mandatory retirement. Violent act injury is defined as “a serious and permanent personal bodily injury sustained as a direct and proximate result of a violent attack upon a person by means of a dangerous weapon, including a firearm, knife, automobile, explosive device or other dangerous weapon.” Supporters said that under current law, a first responder forced to retire due to a violent act injury can only receive benefits through the local retirement board via the home rule legislative process. They said this process is onerous and has resulted in disparate benefits being granted on a case-by-case basis. “Our first responders go above and beyond to keep our communities safe and respond to emergencies,” said Gov. Healey. “That’s why it’s critical that we support them when they experience emergencies of their own. This legislation ensures that first responders who are injured in the line of duty have access to the pay and health care, including mental health care, that they need to support their families and their road to recovery.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL PARENTAGE EQUALITY (S 2906) – Gov. Healey signed into law legislation changing how a family is defined in state law. Supporters said the new law would ensure legal parentage equality by protecting LGBTQ+ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship. They said the measure would dismantle archaic legal barriers to basic parenting responsibilities for modern families, opening the door to legally attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s finances, participate in educational decisions and provide authorizations for a child’s travel. “Our laws need to reflect the realities of modern families and the loving environments where children grow and flourish,” Gov. Healey said. “This moment is a victory for all families in Massachusetts who deserve to be treated with dignity and to have their rights recognized and protected under the law.” PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS (S 2902) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment to any person or government agency, to provide, beginning January 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer, at the time of sale, if the equipment contains toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance chemicals, known as PFAS. The seller would also have to provide the reason the chemicals were added to the equipment. Beginning on January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. "My office originally filed this bill in 2019 in collaboration with The Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and Clean Water Action,” saidlead sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro). “With each legislative session, we refiled, improved upon the language and aided in the unwavering dedication of PFFM as they advocated tirelessly for their members … Despite improvements in cancer care, our firefighters are still becoming sick and dying from occupational cancers at a rate more than twice the general population. It is our duty to protect those who protect us. I am proud to have played a part in this momentous passing.” “Ask anyone how the majority of firefighter line-of-duty deaths occur — most will probably guess smoke inhalation or on-call injury,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “The shocking truth is that, from 2002 to 2019, cancer accounted for 66 percent of firefighter deaths, according to the International Association of Firefighters. PFAS exposure from firefighting equipment is a crisis for firefighters and the communities they serve.” “This is great news,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG’s Legislative director. “Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us in an emergency, and we must make sure the gear they wear will protect them.” VETERANS BENEFITS (S 2817) – Gov. Healey signed into law legislation designed to benefit veterans in the Bay State by broadening the definition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefits for which they are eligible and modernizing the services on which they rely. Provisions include increasing benefits for disabled veterans and Gold Star family members; bolstering new and existing initiatives for municipalities and businesses to support veterans; creating comprehensive services for active-duty service members and military families; expanding the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board; and codifying medical, behavioral health and dental benefits. The measure also requires several working groups to review post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, mental health treatments for veterans and overall quality of life for veterans in Massachusetts. Supporters said the legislation will boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. “This is our most comprehensive veterans legislation in over 20 years, and it’s the result of Massachusetts coming together to make veterans our priority,” said Gov. Healey. “From the start, our administration has been dedicated to revitalizing veterans' services in Massachusetts, ensuring that every hero receives the benefits, resources and support they deserve. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country – we can and will be the state where veterans and service members continue to lead and make all our freedom and success possible.” “Massachusetts has a long history of prioritizing the needs of our veterans and service members and I am thrilled that the [bill] is on its way to the governor's desk to continue this tradition,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “Less than one half of one percent of our nation bravely raise their right hand and pledge to defend our nation no matter the costs. We must always remember, recognize and honor these sacrifices however we can, and passage of this legislation is an important step toward fulfilling that mission.” “The [measure] enhances the quality of life for veterans in the commonwealth by making critical investments in benefits programs, expanding access to services and creating policies to ensure our veterans and their families are well-informed about the benefits and services available to them,” said Rep. Gerry Cassidy (D-Brockton), House chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND JOBS (S 2934) – Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would extend employment protection for workers employed through a temporary hiring agency. These workers, if they are victims of domestic assault, could not have their contract terminated if they miss a reasonable amount of time for certain appointments. Covered appointments include doctor's appointments, hospital stays and court dates. This would mirror the protections currently granted to bona fide employees of a company. “This bill has been filed and pushed by Sen. Fattman and me after a tragic incident that occurred to a constituent of ours,” said co-sponsor Rep. Joe McKenna (R-Webster). “Amanda Dabrowski was a victim of domestic assault and had her temporary agency contract terminated after missing time because she was in the hospital. Tragically, partly due to her loss of work, her life took a few challenging turns and she was ultimately tracked and murdered by the same violent perpetrator.” "No one who’s a victim of domestic violence should lose their job because they are unable to attend work due to the injuries they sustained from domestic abuse,” said co-sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “Victims of domestic violence need to be protected, and this legislation will be one step in strengthening our laws to make sure this happens. In Amanda's honor, the Dabrowski family would like to make sure that something good comes out of this very tragic situation.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Survivors of sexual assault already have so many obstacles to overcome when bringing their experiences forward. We have tools to hold perpetrators accountable and help survivors but unaddressed delays minimize the injustice experienced by survivors and place others at risk for potential assaults. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security needs to take these matters seriously, and ensure these kits are being tracked correctly, processing kits on time and in accordance with the law.” ---State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on her Executive Office of Public Safety and Security audit which identifies issues with oversight of sexual assault evidence collection kits. “Our governor and her administration have committed to being climate champions. ReducBHRC| SEE PAGE 19

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