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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025 Page 17 and remain in the Teachers’ Retirement System. “I am once again pleased that the House has advanced this important legislation,” said Rep. Alice Peisch (DWellesley), the sponsor of the bill. “I introduced this bill after being approached by educators in my district—dedicated public servants who brought forward a serious and deeply personal concern. It quickly became evident that this was not an isolated incident, but an issue aff ecting educators across the commonwealth. I am hopeful that this language advances through the legislative process in a timely manner, so that these individuals may receive the retirement benefi ts they have rightfully earned through years of service.” “As a former public school teacher, I know the incredible impact that teachers can have on our students’ lives, and the value that they can bring to administrative positions given their experience as educators,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “That’s why it’s so important that we ensure that former teachers who choose to serve in administrative roles at EOE and DESE remain in the Teachers’ Retirement System, ensuring that they do not experience an interruption in their membership or service.” “The legislation presents a fairness issue,” said Rep. Daniel Ryan (D-Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Public Service. “A commonsense approach to fixing a long overdue matter for those who educate the children of the commonwealth. The bill will allow teachers who enrolled in a retirement system before July 1, 2001, the same rights as those who enrolled after that date.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes MANDATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING IN MASSACHUSETTS HOTELS (H 4360) House 158-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would mandate human traffi cking training for all hotel, motel, lodging house or bed and breakfast establishment employees in the Bay State, from the front desk to housekeeping and food service, in order to equip them to recognize and respond to human traffi cking situations. The measure also would require these facilities to post in plain view in the lobby or common area, and in any public restroom, a written notice developed by the attorney general, which would include the national human traffi cking hotline number. “I’ve seen fi rsthand how human traffickers exploit the I-95 corridor, using hotels to transport and harm victims,” said sponsor Rep. Tom Walsh (D-Peabody). “This afternoon, we took a meaningful step forward to eradicate the crime of human traffi cking, uphold human dignity and ensure justice and protection for victims. I appreciate the cooperation and collaboration of the lodging industry, hospitality workers’ union, law enforcement and survivor advocates in crafting this bill.” “One of the primary responsibilities that we have as elected officials is to ensure the safety of our constituents,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation provides the tools necessary for our hospitality workers to identify and prevent human traffi cking, ultimately saving lives and increasing public safety.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes BAN USE OF CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS (S 2561) Senate 38-2, approved and sent to the House legislation that would ban student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during classes. The measure would require all public schools and districts in Massachusetts to implement, by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, policies for student use of these devices on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities. The policy may include exceptions for students who need their device for treating a medical condition; students with disabilities; students who spend time off campus traveling to or from other learning opportunities; and students with individualized education plans. The policy must include methods for parents and students to be able to contact one another during the school day if necessary; enforcement provisions; and may diff er for students in diff erent grade levels. “There are a myriad of negative effects linked to the growing issue of student cell phone usage at school and in the classroom, including diminished academic performance, poorer mental health, worse relationship building and social skills, reduced safety during emergencies and more,” said Sen. Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Committee on Education. “According to Pew Research, 72 percent of high school teachers consider cell phones to be a major problem in the classroom, and numerous studies have shown the many robust benefi ts to student learning and growth by removing cell phones from their educational environment.” “Massachusetts has a proud history of supporting and uplifting K-12 public education for our residents, but a device small enough to fi t in a pocket presents a profound challenge to ensuring student success,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “That’s why I charged the Senate in May of this year to explore ways to make our schools cell phone free. This legislation delivers on that commitment and builds on the Senate’s mission of creating a statewide education system that continues to promote learning and growth.” “This impactful legislation will make many benefi cial and lasting improvements in the quality of our public school education,” said Sen. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Countless studies have shown the detrimental and distracting eff ects of cell phone usage both in the classroom, and for entire school day,” said Sen. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “While many school districts have already implemented some type of cell phone restriction, this bill takes a uniform approach to this problem, tasking the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a clear ban on cell phones and electronic devices for public school students. The results in the other states that have enacted similar legislation are startling. Students are more engaged, become more profi cient in their studies and the student-teacher relationship is enhanced. This measure also greatly reduces the threat of cyber-bullying.” “Cellphones are instrumental in society and an outright cell phone ban in schools does not serve students well or appropriately teach students how and when to use phones maturely in an academic environment,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), one of only two senators to oppose the bill. “This legislation also creates a blanket policy for all schools rather than allowing the school districts to create policies based on their own community’s needs. Finally, this legislation fails to consider all facets of cell phone use in schools such as families communicating during the school day especially during a public safety or family emergency.” Sen. Kelly Dooner (RTaunton), the only other senator who voted against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she opposed the measure. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) . Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL BAN LATE PAYMENT PENALTIES FOR PARKING TICKETS (H 2278) — The Municipalities and Regional Government Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit cities and town from imposing additional fi nancial penalties on a person who does not pay their parking ticket by the due date. Sponsor Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfi eld) said his bill aims to eliminate the excessively harsh penalties that municipalities impose on initial parking fi nes for non-payment every 45 days. “These additional penalties disproportionately affect low-income communities, where many residents struggle to pay the original fine,” said Gonzalez. “Adding further penalties only increases their fi nancial burden.” JUDICIARY COMMITTEE — The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills including: REQUIRE GUN OWNERS TO HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE (H 1836) — Would require BHRC | SEE Page 19 Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW”  ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING  WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES  INCOME TAX PREPARATION  WEALTH MANAGEMENT  RETIREMENT PLANNING  ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee

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