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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025 Page 25 partments become understaff ed and entire communities are left without critical care. As a result, this legislation is essential to safeguard public health.” RESTRICT ABILITY OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS TO PROFIT FROM THEIR CRIME (H 1789) — The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill that would restrict the ability of criminal off enders to profi t fi - nancially by undertaking any ventures that capitalize on the infamy of their crime. The bill sets forth a procedure to determine if the criminal offender is attempting to make money from the notoriety surrounding their actions by allowing the Attorney General, by and through the Division of Victim Compensation, to investigate and monitor such profi ts, and to distribute these profi ts to victims who were victimized by the underlying crime. “This bill seeks to protect victims of crime by making sure that incarcerated felons do not reap unexpected financial benefits from their wrongful actions,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “It not only takes steps to ensure that criminals do not profi t from their crimes while in jail but also establishes a process for using this money to compensate their victims as a form of restitution.” ALLOW PETS IN PUBLIC STATE-FUNDED HOUSING (H 1476) — A bill heard by the Housing Committee would reinstate the elderly state-aided housing pet program which was inadvertently eliminated when the Executive Offi ce of Housing and Livable Communities was established in 2023. The program allows elderly residents of public housing to have pets. This bill would also expand the pet program to apply to all state-aided housing, without restrictions on a dog’s breed, size, weight or appearance. In addition, it would prevent state-aided public housing facilities from requiring pet declawing in line with Massachusetts law prohibiting this practice, requiring unreasonably expensive pet deposits or evicting a tenant because they own a pet. Another provision would create an advisory group to help develop and effectively implement petfriendly policies in state-funded housing. “Elderly residents should not have to choose between access to housing and keeping their pets,” said sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “The provisions outlined in this bill are crucial for ensuring elderly residents in stateaided housing can remain with their pets safely and without unfair restrictions.” FLY FLAG OUTSIDE CONDOS (H 1555) — Another proposal before the Housing Committee would prohibit any condominium association from denying a unit owner the right to fl y or display the fl ag of the United States, the offi cial fl ag of the United States Armed Forces or a Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action fl ag in a window of the unit. The measure limits the size of the fl ag to 4.5 feet by 6 feet in size and prohibits any fl ag from obstructing the sightlines of other unit owners. “This bill stems from a constituent several years ago being told they could not fl y the American fl ag- which she vehemently disagreed with,” said sponsor Rep. Dave Muradian (R-Grafton). ALLOW BUSINESSES TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS A FEE TO COVER CREDIT CARD FEES (S 194) — The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard a bill that would allow Massachusetts businesses to charge customers a fee to cover the cost of the processing fees that the credit card companies charge the business, provided that the surcharge amount is not greater than the actual cost to the seller and is posted prominently on their premises and website. “I fi led this bill after hearing from a small business owner in my district whose auto repair shop is struggling to stay afl oat under the weight of rapidly rising credit card processing fees,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (DNorthampton). “His experience is not unique. It refl ects a growing challenge faced by small businesses across the commonwealth. Credit card fees add an unnecessary challenge to the operation of small businesses. Credit card companies and banks charge businesses for accepting credit cards by attaching a fee to transactions. These fees range from 2 to 4 percent of the transaction, despite the total cost of such transactions only being around 3.6 cents.” Comerford continued, “Large companies have leverage to negotiate better rates with these credit card companies and banks. However, small businesses do not have this luxury and are forced to bear the cost. While other states allow businesses to pass this fee to the consumer through surcharges, Massachusetts is one of two states that prohibit this. Small businesses play a vital role in the economy of Massachusetts. In 2024, these businesses comprised 99.5 percent of businesses in the commonwealth and employed 43.9 percent of Massachusetts’ employees. However, a 2025 study from the UMass Donahue Institute reported that 51 percent of retailers are likely to close or sell their business in the next fi ve years, citing high-cost business challenges as a main factor behind their decision.” REGULATE BODY ART (H 321) — Another measure heard by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure would require the state to establish regulations and licensing for the body art and modifi - cation industry. Body art includes tattooing, piercing, branding and scarification and is currently regulated at the municipal level. Doctors who practice body art as a part of patient treatment and individuals who pierce only ears would be exempt from the bill. The bill establishes standards for businesses conducting body art, including procedures, sterilization, equipment, facilities and instruments. An individual licensed to perform body modifi cation or body art would be required to have taken a college-level course in both anatomy and physiology, a course on the prevention of disease transmission from bloodborne pathogens, hold a certifi cation in basic fi rst aid and have two years of experience in the practice of body art either as part of an apprenticeship or from working in the fi eld outside of the state. “Body art has grown in popularity, but the lack of consistent statewide standards puts both practitioners and clients at risk,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This bill ensures proper training, health safeguards, and oversight, so that every body art procedure in Massachusetts meets the highest standards of safety and professionalism.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Offi ce to housing conversions are transformative for our main streets and downtowns. Building new housing from vacant buildings is a long-term investment in the community, providing more living options for residents, a renewed tax base and more customers for local businesses.” ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on the Healey Administration awarding $7.4 million in for two offi ce to housing conversion projects that will create nearly 200 new units in downtown Boston. “This program was inspired by my own journey as a public safety intern nearly three decades ago. Our goal is to give students the tools, relationships and real-world insight that can spark a lifelong career in public service. The passion and diversity this cohort brings makes me optimistic for the future of public safety in Massachusetts.” ---Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy on the Executive Offi ce of Public Safety and Security’s Internship Program which continues to serve as a pipeline for talented, mission-driven individuals interested in careers in public safety and government service. “This program is a great example of government being innovative and supporting people’s fi nancial and career goals based on their needs and unique circumstances.” ---Sen. Sal DiDomenico (DEverett) on the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities awarding more than $1 million to local housing authorities and regional administering agencies this month to promote economic opportunity for public housing residents. “The data are clear. Lead was detected in most of the taps tested at schools and childcare centers across the state and we know children are the most impacted from exposure to lead. We need policies that get the lead out of faucets and fountains in our schools and childcare centers.” ---Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG legislative director, urging state lawmakers to pass a bill to get the lead out of drinking water at Massachusetts schools and childcare centers. 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 June 2-6, the House met for a total of six hours and 19 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 19 minutes. Mon. June 2 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:04 a.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:23 a.m. Tues. June 3 No House session.. No Senate session. Wed. June 4 House 11:01 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No Senate session. . Thurs. June 5 House 11:00 a.m. to 12:16 p.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 12:19 p.m. Fri. June 6 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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