THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 Page 19 for a statutory press shield law in our commonwealth has never been more urgent. By passing this legislation, we show the federal government and our constituents that we will defend the First Amendment and support a free press, without which our democracy cannot survive.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL NOW YOU CAN BUY MASS LOTTERY TICKETS ONLINE — The Lottery has launched Mass Lottery Online, featuring a variety of both new and old games that registered players age 21 or older can play on the Mass Lottery app and website on a mobile device, computer or tablet. Profits generated from online sales will be used to fund a grant program to support early childhood education and care. “The launch of our online platform marks an exciting new chapter for the Lottery as we continue to evolve and meet the needs of today’s players,” said State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “Online Lottery will allow us to compete on a more level playing fi eld in the state’s gaming marketplace and sales will help make childcare more aff ordable for families across Massachusetts.” “Since selling our fi rst ticket in 1972, the Mass Lottery has become one of the top performing lotteries in the world thanks to our exciting portfolio of games, attractive prize payouts, innovative business and marketing strategies and of course, our dedicated retail partners and loyal player base,” said Mark William Bracken, executive director of the Mass Lottery. “In creating Mass Lottery Online, we took a similar approach that gives our players new play experiences with the same standards they have grown to expect, wherever in Massachusetts they find themselves to be.” Several popular draw-based games, now sold only at retail stores, will be available for purchase online including Mass Cash, Megabucks, Mega Millions, Powerball and Millionaire for Life. Several games remain available only for retail purchase including traditional Keno, The Numbers Game and The Wheel of Luck. Mass Lottery Online is also introducing 20 new eInstant Games which are digital games featuring cascading or tumbling symbols that result in instant winning experiences when a cluster of symbols match. Other play styles include key number match and fi nd the symbol. To play Mass Lottery games online, players must be 21 or older and physically located in Massachusetts at the time of play and must make a deposit to their account. Players need to have a Mass Lottery Player Account, which can be created at masslottery.com or by downloading the Mass Lottery App on a mobile device or tablet. Registration requires a full nine-digit Social Security number along with player’s legal full name, date of birth, residential address and other standard information. The Lottery has implemented numerous features to its online platform which it says will promote responsible play. As a required step in the registration process, players will be informed of the option of setting personalized deposit and play limits and instructed how to do so if desired. Players who have not set limits will continue to be notifi ed of this option on a monthly basis. At any time, players will be able to adjust their personal limits. Stricter limits take eff ect immediately, while any increase requires a 48-hour period, helping prevent impulsive behavior. Online players will be able to opt for a cooling-off period that will prevent them from being able to make a deposit or place a bet or receive direct marketing communications from the Lottery, for a set period of time, ranging from 24 hours to up to six months. Players also will have the ability to directly opt-in to PlayBreak, the voluntary self-exclusion program, for one-, threeor fi ve-year periods, or for a lifetime exclusion. To assist in the prevention of underage access to registered accounts, multi-factor authentication for all players will be required at their fi rst login on a daily basis. Multi-factor authentication will also be required when logging in from a new device. All devices must be verifi ed through the player’s registered email or phone, and players will only be able to be signed in to their account on one device at any given time. ALCOHOL DONATIONS FOR CHARITIES (H 5351) — The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow local licensing authorities to issue temporary licenses to charities in order for the charities to accept donations of wine, beer and alcohol for their charitable events. These licenses were previously allowed under 1997 legislation, but the authorization has since expired. “Today, more than ever, nonprofi ts are in need of charitable donations to stay afl oat,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This bill would allow for safe and regulated alcohol licensure for nonprofi ts in order to raise revenue at charity events by partnering with alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers. This bill was brought to me by Deborah Goldberg, the Treasurer and Receiver General, and has her full support. POSTURAL SCREENINGS FOR STUDENTS (H 2517) — The House approved and sent to the Senate a proposal amending a current law that requires every child in public schools and for children in private schools, at the request of their parents or guardians, to be tested for postural defects at least once annually in grades fi ve through nine. The amendment would reduce the mandated frequency of testing to at least once in grades fi ve through nine. “I filed this bill after learning from my daughter, a school nurse, about the impact on students and staffi ng demands created by annual postural screenings,” said sponsor Rep. Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell). “Many students are already screened by their pediatricians or primary care physicians during routine physicals, making the annual school requirement repetitive. This bill keeps the screening requirement in place while giving schools the fl exibility to conduct it once during grades six through nine instead of every year. It’s a practical update that allows school nurses to focus more of their time on students’ immediate health needs without compromising student care.” Rep. Sean Reid (D-Lynn), another sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the passage of the measure and explain why he fi led it. ALLOW CONSUMERS TO USE INSURANCE ADJUSTERS (S 785) — The House and Senate, on voice votes without a roll call, approved and sent to the governor legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from including in an insurance policy, a rider that prohibits the insured from hiring or using a public insurance adjuster. “An insured that has paid its premiums faithfully should have the choice to hire a public adjuster qualifi ed to read the policy and get the claim paid,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Both branches have now said plainly that a clause taking that choice away does not belong in a Massachusetts insurance policy.” BHRC | SEE Page 21 The World’s First Hearing Aids With Touchscreen Controls. No tiny buttons. No apps. No prescriptions. Call 844-497-3476 to get your 45-day risk free trial. Revolutionary technology with touchscreen control. Hearing modes for any environment. Multiple models to choose from. Portable charging case. 48-hour battery life. UV cleaning. 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