Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022 BEACON | FROM Page 18 ditions to which we may be predisposed. By giving all adoptees born in Massachusetts access to their original birth certifi cates, this legislation closes a 34-year gap granting generations of individuals medical knowledge they have otherwise been denied.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL SOLDIERS’ HOMES MANAGEMENT (H 5106) – Gov. Baker signed into law legislation that will make major changes to the oversight and governance structure of the state’s veterans’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. The proposal follows the deaths of 77 veteran residents in 2020 as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke facility. The measure elevates the Department of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level executive offi ce with direct reporting to the governor and the ability to hire and fi re superintendents. Other provisions include requiring superintendents of the two soldiers’ homes to be licensed as nursing home administrators and oversee day-to-day management and operation of the homes; requiring two annual home inspections by the Department of Health; creating an independent Offi ce of the Veteran Advocate; and creating a statewide advisory Veterans’ Home Council. “From streamlining the chain of command, to elevating the Veterans Secretary to cabinet level and expanding the Department of Public Health’s role, this legislation contains important improvements for our commonwealth’s veterans’ homes, and I am glad that the governor has signed it into law,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld) who was appointed by Sen. President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) to lead the Senate working group that will oversee implementation of this legislation. Velis noted that the work must continue and the group must “identify what we need to improve on further and continue to work to ensure that the tragedy that took place at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home never happens again.” ADOPT ANIMALS USED IN RESEARCH – (S 2992) – Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would require research labs to make every eff ort to off er healthy animals up for adoption by registered non-profi t MOURNS | FROM Page 1 was especially thankful for the eff orts Raponi put into Conservation Commission decisions. Even at her last meeting on the Conservation Commission on August 3, Raponi was looking ahead for the future of Revere, helping to approve a plan for a warehouse facility that will replace the gas tank farm along the Lee Burbank Highway, and thanking the developer for attending the meeting and being open with the city about the project. REMEMBERING ANN: Members of the City Council, school committee, former state delegates and Mayor Arrigo are pictured with Ann Raponi, who passed away this past week. animal rescue organizations rather than euthanizing them when the research is done. Supporters said that more than 60,000 dogs—almost all beagles— and nearly 20,000 cats, are used each year for animal experimentation in the United States to advance scientifi c research and to test cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other household products. They noted that sadly many research labs choose to automatically euthanize these cats and dogs once their experiments are over. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the Senate sponsor of the measure, did not respond to several requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on Gov. Baker signing the proposal into law. “We are so thrilled to have this bill enacted after fi ve years of consideration,” said Cara Zipoli of the Beagle Freedom Project. “We look forward to developing partnerships between our research and animal welfare communities to ensure as many dogs and cats find loving homes as possible.” CRIME VICTIMS’ PHOTOS (S 3092) – Gov. Baker signed into law legislation that would prohibit fi rst responders from taking photos of crime scene victims, accidents or emergencies unless it is in the course of their offi cial duties or with the consent of the victim. If the victim is unable to consent, an immediate family member of the victim is allowed to give consent. Supporters said the privacy of accident victims should not be violated by fi rst-responder government workers who are entrusted with rescuing them. They noted it is outrageous that the photos are often posted online. Co-sponsors Sen. Eric Lesser (DLongmeadow) and Rep. Joe Wagner (D-Chicopee) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the signing of their legislation into law. POACHING (S 2993) – Gov. Baker signed into law a measure that would regulate poaching—the illegal hunting that harms or kills wildlife including fi sh, birds, mammals and endangered or threatened species. Other provisions elevate the fi nes and penalties for poaching; align Massachusetts poaching regulations with other states; and bring Massachusetts into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which helps states work together to prevent illegal hunting across state lines. Supporters said that it has been close to 100 years since many of the state’s anti-poaching laws were last updated and noted the absence of action on these laws has resulted in weak, outdated penalties that are just a slap on the wrist. “After nearly a century, Massachusetts’ anti-poaching laws have fi - nally been brought up to meet the standards of the 21st century,” said sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “No longer will the Bay State serve as a safe haven for poachers. By joining the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, Massachusetts will begin sharing information with law enforcement in all 50 states to ensure poachers can’t simply cross state lines to evade accountability. The commonwealth is also increasing the fi nes and penalties levied onto violators of our wildlife protection laws, making it clear that we will protect our ecosystems from those who wish to do it harm.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “[This is] another example of the commonwealth’s commitment to fully realize the benefi ts of its gaming industry as well as the Gaming Commission’s continued fulfi llment of the mandate made by the Legislature to mitigate any unintended impacts tied to gaming in Massachusetts.” ---Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Cathy Judd-Stein the awarding of $10.6 million in grants given to cities and towns through the 2022 Community Mitigation Fund “Protecting Massachusetts residents from violence and hate is the top priority of my administration. In Massachusetts, we have a long history of standing up to hate and intolerance. Today, we continue that honored tradition.” --- United States Attorney Rachael Rollins on establishing a 1-83-ENDH8-NOW hotline for residents to report hate-based incidents or potential criminal activity. “This ranking is a testament of the hard work and commitment that our faculty, staff , administration and Board of Trustees have for our students” ---Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja, on the Worcester college being ranked best community college in Massachusetts in 2022 by Intelligent.com, an online source for program rankings and higher education planning. “I am pleased that the Legislature explored new ways to generate sustainable revenue for the state this session. With sports betting set to go online, I hope to work with the Legislature to hold the Lottery harmless.” ---State Treasurer Deb Goldberg on her push to allow players to play the Lottery online. 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 dozen s of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the period of August 1-5, the House met for a total of ten hours and 18 minutes and the Senate met for a total of ten hours and 18 minutes. Mon. Aug. 1 House 12:01 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Senate 12:01 a.m. to 10:13 a.m. Tues. Aug. 2 No House session No Senate session Wed. Aug. 3 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Aug. 4 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:09 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Fri. Aug. 5 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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