Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024 BEACON | FROM Page 14 ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL CHARITABLE DONATIONS (H 2280) - The House has given initial approval to a bill that would require that any group or individual soliciting contributions for a charitable organization by mail or telephone, to inform potential donors what percentage of contributions go directly to the charity. Supporters said that oftentimes people who make donations assume that 100 percent of their donation goes directly to the charity when in fact a private fundraising company is getting a percentage of the money raised. “People should feel secure that their charitable donations are being used in an appropriate manner and going to the organization they chose to support” said sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). “This added disclosure by solicitors protects both the commonwealth’s donors and charitable organizations.” PROHIBIT “LEGACY” COLLEGE ADMISSIONS – (No bill number yet assigned) – The Committee on Higher Education has given a favorable report to and recommended passage of a bill that would prohibit public and private colleges in the Bay State colleges from using “legacy admissions” – a tradition that gives to a boost in a prospective student’s odds of admission to a college just because the applicant is related to a current student or alumnus. “The practice of legacy admissions has perpetuated inequalities in higher education for too long,” said Mary Tamer, Executive Director of Democrats for Education Reform Massachusetts, “It serves as a barrier to equity and opportunity, granting an unearned advantage to children of alumni – often from wealthy or well-connected families – at the expense of deserving students from diverse backgrounds.” NOMINATION PAPERS NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2024 CANDIDATES – Nomination papers are now available for candidates who are planning to run for offi ce in the September 2024 primary election and November 2024 general election. Under state law, candidates are required to gather a certain number of signatures in order to qualify for the ballot. Papers are available in the Offi ce of the Secretary of the State’s Elections Division, located at 1 Ashburton Place in Boston and Galvin’s other offi ces in Springfi eld and Fall River. Offi ces to be fi lled at this year’s election include President and Vice-president, U.S. Senator, U.S. representative, Governor’s Councilor, State Senator, State Representative, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, County Commissioner. Candidates for district and county offi ces have until April 30, 2024 to gather signatures and submit their papers to local registrars of voters for certifi cation. Those certifi ed signatures must then be fi led with the Secretary of State by May 28, 2024. Party-affi liated candidates running in the State Primary for federal offi ce have until May 7, 2024 to gather their signatures and submit them to local registrars, and until June 4, 2024 to fi le with the Secretary of State. Non-party candidates for federal offi ce have until July 30, 2024 to return their nomination papers into local registrars, and until August 27, 2024 to fi le them with Galvin’s offi ce. Additional information is at www.sec.state.ma.us/elections CREATE EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM (S 2506) – The Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on a measure that would create an emergency disaster relief program managed by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and funded with $250 million from excess capital gains revenue that would otherwise be transferred to the Rainy Day Fund. Supporters explained that federal disaster declarations can only be triggered when certain and specifi c criteria occur. They noted the total amount of the storm damage must meet a certain dollar amount threshold, or the disaster must exceed the response capability of the state and local governments. “Massachusetts is one of a few states that does not have a framework in place to respond to disasters, climate-related or otherwise, in our municipalities,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “We saw fi rst-hand this past summer the devastating toll weather events have on our communities’ infrastructure, across the commonwealth.” MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS (H 4142) – A bill heard by the Higher Education Committee would require public state colleges to provide students and employees with mental health awareness and prevention programming. This would cover vital topics including signs of mental health issues and substance abuse, where to access mental health resources and crisis intervention strategies. “I’m sponsoring this bill because as a psychiatric nurse, I recognize that many mental health disorders present themselves in early adulthood and believe in the evidence-based research which recommends that higher education institutions can help improve positive mental health in vulnerable emerging adult populations by implementing training and education initiatives,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton). “Studies have shown that more students are presenting with increasingly severe mental health problems in recent decades, a problem exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic.” Khan continued, “Prioritizing mental health education by requiring mandatory mental health awareness programming and primary prevention education in public higher education institutions will train students to recognize these issues in their peers and prepare staff for conversations around mental health, resulting in healthier and more successful outcomes for students in Massachusetts.” VETERANS BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT PROGRAM (H 4218) – The Public Health Committee’s hearing included legislation that would create the Veteran Breakthrough Treatments Program to support the development and deployment of treatments that have been designated as “breakthrough therapies” for veterans and fi rst responders. Breakthrough Therapy designation is given by the FDA to treatments that clinical evidence has shown to be extremely promising. “This legislation is about equipping veterans with innovative and eff ective therapies to treat PTSD and hidden wounds of war,” said sponsor Rep. Dylan Fernandes (DFalmouth). “Allowing veterans access to breakthrough therapies designated by the FDA as promising treatments gives them an additional tool to treat their healthcare needs and empower those struggling on their path to recovery.” CONSUMER BILLS – The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on several bills including: ALLOW BUSINESSES TO OPT INTO “DO NOT CALL” LIST (S 202) - Would restrict telemarketing companies doing business in the state by allowing businesses to sign up for a “Do Not Call” list and fi ning companies up to $5,000 if they call a business on the list. Current law only allows individual consumers to sign up for the list. Under the bill, all current laws that now apply to individuals would also apply to businesses including allowing an individual on the list to sue a company for up to $5,000 if the company violates the law and calls the individual more than once a year; preventing companies from blocking their number from appearing on any business’ Caller ID; prohibiting companies from using recorded message devices to make these calls; and restricting these calls to between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. “We’re continuing to see a steady rise in spam calls, and this is one of the preferred methods of scammers to obtain personal information,” said Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “Small businesses have struggled the last few years, and Massachusetts needs to do whatever we can to protect our economic drivers. Allowing businesses to sign up for the do-notcall list is an easy and efficient way of screening out any nefarious attempts to defraud a small business and take away valuable economic resources for our small business owners.” DIGITAL COUPONS FOR SENIORS (H 4154) – Would require grocery stores to apply all available digital coupons to the orders of senior citizens over 65, even if the person does not have the digital coupons on their phone. “This proposal was fi led by request of a constituent,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Turco (D-Winthrop). “Many senior citizens do not use a smart phone and therefore do not have access to digital coupons and as a result they pay higher prices at the register. This legislation would apply all applicable digital coupons automatically to our seniors.” REVIVE “HAPPY HOURS” (S 157) – Would allow cities and towns to permit restaurants that are licensed to serve alcohol to off er discounted prices on alcoholic beverages during dates and time periods specifi ed by the city or town. The measure prohibits any alcohol from being discounted after 10 p.m. Under current law, passed in 1984, restaurants have been prohibited from holding “happy hours” during which some alcoholic drinks are free or the price is reduced. The 1984 law was sparked by the September 1983 death of Kathleen Barry, a 20-yearold from Weymouth, when Barry and her friend won free pitchers of beer at a Braintree Ground Round. After leaving the bar, Barry and a friend climbed on top of a drunk friend’s car for a ride around a Braintree parking lot and Barry fell under the car and was dragged 50 feet to her death. “Much has changed in Massachusetts since a happy hour ban was enacted in 1984,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “The drinking age has long been settled at 21, stiff penalties have been established to deter drunk driving and ride hailing apps have become a popular way to safely get around on a night out. While alcohol-related off enses decline across the country and little compelling evidence exists linking happy hour with higher rates of alcohol-related DUIs, Massachusetts remains the last state in the country to have an absolute ban on happy hour. Cyr continued, “In the aftermath of COVID-19 and advent of remote work, happy hour is a tool that can help revitalize main streets and downtowns struggling for foot traffi c. This legislation empowers municipalities to determine if they want to allow local restaurants to off er happy hour specials and decide if it is the right choice for their community.” RE-SIGNING LEASES (H 264) - Would prohibit landlords from requiring their tenants to re-sign a lease more than three months in advance of the termination of their current lease. “I filed this legislation in response to complaints I heard from tenants who are being unfairly required to re-sign their lease only a few months into their current lease,” said sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “Tenants are being forced to make decisions about their housing situation more than six months in advance and are fi nancially penalized when they cannot commit.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Because of a successful vaccination campaign that eff ectively eliminated measles in the United States in 2000, many people may not be aware that measles, which is transmitted via exposure to contact with airborne droplets, is highly contagious and can lead to serious and life-threatening complications. Children and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.” ---Statement from the Massachusetts Medical Society on reported cases of measles in Europe and at least six states and potential exposures at two large United States airports and reminding all patients in the state to do their part to protect themselves and their communities from contracting and spreading measles. “Successful, evidence-based reentry programs are essential to preventing recidivism and improving outcomes for young adults who are involved in the criminal justice system. These programs help ensure they have the tools and resources needed to make sustainable, positive life changes. This funding is an investment in meaningful, second-chance opportunities.” ---Gov. Maura Healey announcing nearly $6.5 million in grants to support nonprofi ts, working in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Correction and Sheriff s’ Offi ces, to provide reentry services for 18- to 25-yearolds returning from incarceration. “Many Massachusetts drivers want to make the switch to electric vehicles but worry about access to charging. This investment will break down barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption and help Massachusetts meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets. ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announcing a $50 million in initiatives to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. “Public partnerships and collaborations with faith-based and nonprofit organizations have been vital to community safety. These organizations are part of the social fabric of our neighborhoods and our region. This funding allows us to support and protect these nonprofi ts as they continue providing essential services in our communities.” ---Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy announcing $3.8 million in grant awards to support security enhancements for 80 Massachusetts nonprofi ts at high risk of hate crimes or attacks by extremists. 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 fi led. 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 February 5-9, the House met for a total of 44 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 47 minutes Mon. Feb. 5 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:32 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:37 a.m. Tues. Feb. 6 No House session No Senate session Wed. Feb. 7 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 8 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:11 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Fri. Feb. 9 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.
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