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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020 Page 15 the injuries or death caused by a dog should not be the basis of an inquiry that can lead to decertifi cation of an offi cer. They noted the dogs are trained but are not human beings. The purpose of a police dog is rarely to show force but rather a tool that is used to fi nd missing persons, detect illegal drugs, or detain a person. “The bill regulates the use of canines by law enforcement and empowers the independent commission to investigate offi - cer-involved injuries or deaths,” said Rep. Day who opposed the amendment. “If police use of a dog causes injury or death, we want the commission to be able to review the circumstances of the incident. We further require the commission to make a report to the Legislature of all complaints and actions, including offi cer-involved injuries or deaths.” (A Yes” vote is for the amendment and therefore against allowing an attack on a person by a police dog to be the basis of an inquiry into an offi cer that can lead to decertifi cation of the offi cer. A “No” vote is for allowing it.) Rep. Bob DeLeo No Rep. RoseLee Vincent Yes STROKE PATIENTS (S 2835) Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow fi rst responders to transport stroke patients to the facilities best equipped to treat them, rather than the closest, as currently required. The measure is designed to ensure patients experiencing the most severe cases of stroke are triaged by ambulance crews and transported to hospitals capable of performing procedures to remove the blood clot causing the stroke, restore blood supply to the brain and save threatened tissue. “What is particularly troubling is that in many cases the death and disability is largely preventable,” said sponsor Sen. Marc Montigny (D-New Bedford). “We must act now to implement necessary reforms so that our loved ones can receive the very best care and treatment. The things we can do now through this bill are pretty simple and refl ect what many medical professionals agree are necessary to modernize our system of care. Lives are simply more important than the bottom line of any business or desire to maintain the status quo.” “If you’re having a stroke, it’s critical that you get proper medical attention right away,” said Allyson Perron Drag, government relations director for the American Heart Association in Massachusetts. “Getting the right treatment immediately may minimize the long-term eff ects of a stroke and even prevent death. This bill will save lives and prevent disability.” According to the American Heart Association, in 2017 stroke accounted for about one of every 19 deaths nationally. In Massachusetts, stroke is the fi fth leading cause of death, claiming 2,370 lives per year. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes SMALL BREWERS (S 2829) Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters say will resolve a decade-long distribution dispute between beer brewers and wholesalers in the Bay State. The measure is a compromise that was reached by The Massachusetts Brewers Guild, representing craft breweries, and the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts According to Senate President Karen Spilka’s offi ce, current law makes it diffi cult for a brewer to end a relationship with their distributor and this jeopardizes potential growth. The bill would allow a brewery that produces less than 250,000 barrels per year (or just over 3.4 million cases) to end their relationship with a distributor with a 30-day notice and other certain protections. If a distribution contract is terminated, the brewery would be responsible for fairly compensating the wholesaler the fair market value of the distribution rights in addition to other costs for inventory and marketing investments. The legislation calls for both parties to engage in an expedited arbitration process to resolve such issues. “Craft brewing is an industry that has grown in Massachusetts as a result of innovation, entrepreneurship, hard work and dedication to supporting small businesses, and is now thriving,” said Spilka. “Solving this decade-long dispute was a priority of mine long before becoming Senate president and I look forward to seeing this important agreement codifi ed in law.” “Massachusetts is home to more than 200 breweries that represent the unique culture and contours of our local communities,” said Sen. Joe Boncore (DWinthrop), the sponsor of the original version of the proposal. “This legislation will create a level playing fi eld for craft brewers. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is critical that we support small and local businesses as we work towards economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL PLAQUE (H 2799) Senate 40-0, approved a measure, already given the nod by the House in December 2019 providing for the installation and maintenance of a plaque in the House chamber containing a portion of the address which Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered to a joint convention of the Massachusetts House and Senate in April 1965. The plaque reads as follows: “Let me hasten to say that I come to Massachusetts not to condemn but to encourage. It was from these shores that the vision of a new nation conceived in liberty was born, and it must be from these shores that liberty must be preserved; and the hearts and lives of every citizen preserved through the maintenance of opportunity and through the constant creation of those conditions that will make justice and brotherhood reality for all of God’s children.” “It couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Rep. Bud Williams (D-Springfi eld) a sponsor of the bill. “He stood for peace, justice and liberty. Then maybe this will be the catalyst to recognize other individuals.” “Dr. King’s 1965 speech reminds all legislators of our heavy responsibilities to create a commonwealth where Black people receive equal and just treatment,” said Sen. Carol Lovely (D-Salem). “The placement of this plaque in the House chamber will make the Statehouse a more inclusive and inspirational place for those of us who work here as well as for those who come to see our work.” The measure needs final approval in each branch before it goes to Gov. Baker for his signature. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes 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 July 20-24, the House met for a total of 35 hours and 16 minutes while the Senate met for a total of two hours and 16 minutes. Mon. July 20 House 11:05 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Senate 11:23 a.m. to 11:51 a.m. Tues. July 21 No House session No Senate session Wed. July 22 House 11:01 a.m. to 10:19 p.m. No Senate session. Thurs. July 23 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:42 p.m. Senate 11:25 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. Fri. July 24 House 11:00 a.m. to 10:02 p.m. Senate 1:22 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. What Happens if You Die Without a Will? Dear Savvy Senior, What happens to a person’s possessions if they die without a will? I’m almost 60 years old and have never gotten around to making one, but the coronavirus crisis has made it a priority. Will-less Willie Dear Willie, The coronavirus crisis has lit a fi re under many Americans when it comes to getting their aff airs in older. Currently, fewer than half of American adults have prepared a will or living trust. If you die without a will, the state you reside in will determine what happens to your assets. Every state has intestacy laws in place that parcel out property and assets to a deceased person’s closest living relatives when there’s no will or trust in place. But these laws vary from stateto-state. Here is a general breakdown of what can happen to a person’s assets, depending on whom they leave behind. Married with children: When a married person with children dies without a will, all property, investments and fi nancial accounts that are “jointly owned” automatically goes to the surviving coowner without going through probate, which is the legal process that distributes a deceased person’s assets. But for all other separately owned property or individual financial accounts, the laws of most states award one-third to one-half to the surviving spouse, while the rest goes to the children. Married with no children or grandchildren: Some states award the entire estate to the surviving spouse, or everything up to a certain amount (for example the fi rst $100,000). But many other states award only one-third to one-half of the decedent’s separately owned assets to the surviving spouse, with the remainder generally going to the deceased person’s parents, or if the parents are dead, to brothers and sisters. Jointly owned property, investments, fi nancial accounts, or community property automatically goes to the surviving coowner. Single with children: All state laws provide that the entire estate goes to the children, in equal shares. If an adult child of the decedent has died, then that child’s children (the decedent’s grandchildren) split their parent’s share. Single with no children or grandchildren: In this situation, most state laws favor the deceased person’s parents. If both parents are deceased, many states divide the property among the brothers and sisters, or if they are not living, their children (your nieces and nephews). If there are none of them, it goes to the next of kin, and if there is no living family, the state takes it. Make a Will To ensure your assets go to those you want to receive them, you need to create a will or trust. If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources that can help you create all these documents for very little money. Some top-rated options include the Quicken WillMaker & Trust 2020 downloadable software (available at nolo.com) that costs $90 and works with Windows and Macs and is valid in every state except Louisiana; LegalZoom (legalzoom.com), which off ers basic wills for $89 or $99 if you’d like assistance from an independent attorney; and Trust & Will (trustandwill.com) which charges $89 for a basic will. If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated fi nancial situation, blended family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced attorney can make sure you cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. Costs will vary depending on where you live, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $1,000 for a will. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (actec.org) websites are good resources that have directories to help you fi nd someone in your area. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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