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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 21, 2026 Page 5 Senator Lewis and Mass. Senate vote to increase legislative transparency O n July 30, 2026, State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass (34-6) legislation that increases residents’ access to information about how decisions are made inside the state legislature and the governor’s office, along with critical free press protections that allow journalists to protect their sources. An Act promoting transparency and public access in state government mandates writing into the state public records law that the public has a right to know about key legislative records, such as vote tallies, salaries of elected officials and staff, ethics disclosures, operating expenditures, and contracts. It also opens up access to records created by the Office of the Governor. The transparency measure has earned the support of several groups who advocate for July 31, 2026, the Legislature appointed a conference committee to resolve the two bill versions. The bill will then be sent to the Governor for her signature and/ or other actions. “Building greater trust and Jason Lewis State Senator greater access to government and the promotion of democracy, including the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association, Common Cause Massachusetts and ACLU of Massachusetts. In June 2026 the Massachusetts House had passed (12528) its own version of the bill. On confidence in government by improving legislative transparency and accountability is critical for a healthy democracy,” said Senator Lewis. “I have long championed efforts to improve the transparency of state and local government, including being the lead Senate sponsor of the last major update to the state’s public records law. This legislation will further open up the legislative process and make it easier for the public to see how we operate and to hold us accountable.” Building on the legislation’s support for freedom of information, the Senate voted unaniSen. Lewis and Mass. Senate pass bill to better protect healthcare workers from assault O n July 16, 2026, Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to support the safety of frontline healthcare workers by improving security protocols at hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the Commonwealth. Hospital staff are regularly subjected to verbal threats and physical abuse — with nearly 70% of nurses reporting having experienced an assault in the workplace in Massachusetts. Responding to this troubling rate of violent incidents, the Senate passed this legislation to require reviews of security protocols and potential risks at healthcare facilities each year. After passing in the Senate, the bill will now be reconciled with a similar version that was previously passed by the House of Representatives before the bill is sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature. The Senate’s bill also helps law enforcement make timely arrests for assaults at healthcare facilities, extends new supports to healthcare workers who are assaulted on the job and shields victims’ personal information from assailants. It allows law enforcement officers to make timely, warrantless arrests for assault or battery on a healthcare worker, similar to existing policy that allows for timely arrests in domestic violence cases. In addition, to support healthcare workers who are assaulted, the bill requires employers to offer paid leave that covers an employee’s time seeking medical treatment and aiding in the prosecution of their attacker. The bill mandates shielding the victim’s personal, residential address on criminal complaints. “Healthcare professionals work tirelessly to support our families and communities through thick and thin—they shouldn’t need to come to work every day worried about being assaulted,” said Senator Lewis. “This legislation prepares hospitals to be ready to respond to violent incidents and helps support victims of assault in the aftermath.” On the same day, the Senate also passed legislation to bring oversight to the state’s unregulated home care industry through legislation that would create a licensure structure, including fingerprinting and background checks, for home care workers that assist elders with basic care like cooking, dressing and bathing. This bill will be reconciled with a similar version that was previously passed by the House of Representatives before it is sent to Governor Healey. mously to adopt an amendment guaranteeing legal protections for journalists by allowing them to protect the anonymity of their sources, as members of the press face increased attack from bad actors at the federal level. The bill outlines a new process for people to request legislative records, including the assurance of an impartial appeals process. A designated staff member in the Senate or House of Representatives would be required to answer all requests within 10 days and share any responsive records. Requestors could appeal any denied requests to the Superior Court, independent of the legislative or executive branches of government. Similarly, people requesting records from the governor’s office could appeal a decision to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, then to the Superior Court. Throughout this legislative session, the Massachusetts Senate has worked to increase government accountability and transparency. The Senate has championed rules reforms that resulted in publicly posted committee votes and longer periods of public review before large bills are voted upon. “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. 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