Page 22 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 BEACON | FROM Page 20 the location of the diaper changing station must be posted at or near the entrance of a facility. “As a dad of three young children, I’ve frequently experienced the difficulties of trying to find a diaper changing station while out with my kids,” said co-sponsor Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord). “This bill aims to make it easier and safer for all parents and caretakers to change kids’ diapers in public buildings.” “This legislation will make it clear that parents and children are welcome in the commonwealth’s public spaces,” said co-sponsor Rep. Steve Owens (D-Watertown). “By providing changing stations that are accessible to all, we can keep our children and public spaces clean and healthy.” ALLOW PHARMACISTS TO TEST, SCREEN AND TREAT PATIENTS FOR SOME CONDITIONS (H 4066) – The Financial Services Committee held a hearing on a measure that would allow pharmacists to test, screen and treat some specific qualified health conditions including influenza, streptococcal infections, COVID-19 and HIV, “Pharmacists are critical players in protecting the health of our communities, and they are more than capable of serving as care providers for common health conditions,” said sponsor Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton). “Given that over 90 percent of Americans live within fi ve miles of a pharmacy, this bill will make healthcare more accessible for everyone, especially the most underserved populations. Allowing vulnerable communities to get tested and treated for common diseases right down the street at their local pharmacy can signifi cantly improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities and promote health equity across the commonwealth.” DENIAL OF COVERAGE BY HEALTH CARE INSURERS (S 663) – Another measure before the Financial Services Committee would prohibit health insurers from denying claims except in the case where the carrier has reasonable basis supported by specific info that the claim was submitted fraudulently. Also requires insurers to provide clarifi cations of refusals, offer suffi cient time for policy holders to resubmit claims and to respond to refusal appeals within 30 days. Supporters said that some health insurers still deny claims filed by health care providers due to administrative or technical defects. They argued this creates disruptions in care for patients, who are often left responsible for bridging the gap between insurers and providers when errors arise. “Whether it’s an administrative error or a technical default with a claim, too many medically necessary treatments are denied by insurance providers for the wrong reasons,” said sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “We need to improve the process so that care is disrupted as little as possible when mistakes like this are made.” EXEMPT CITIES AND TOWNS FROM GAS TAX (H 2846) – A measure heard by the Revenue Committee would exempt all cities and towns from the 24-cents-per-gallon state gas tax. “Our current system requires cities and towns to wait for the annual distribution of local aid before seeing any kind of rebate or return of the taxes paid on the municipal purchase of fuel,” said sponsor House GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “By providing a permanent exemption from the excise tax, cities and towns will have immediate access to these additional local revenues to use as they see fi t. While we are all currently dealing with the continually high cost of gasoline and heating oil, this legislation represents one way we can provide our cities and towns with much needed tax relief.” EXEMPT MASKS, FACE SHIELDS AND GLOVES FROM THE SALES TAX (H 2732) –Another bill before the Revenue Committee would exempt masks, face shields, medical gloves and smocks from the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. “As COVID-19 cases once again increase and we battle ongoing infl ation, ensuring these products remain accessible and aff ordable is of the utmost importance,” said Sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). REVENGE PORN (S 1139) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission—commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. “Massachusetts continues to be one of only two states in the nation that does not criminalize revenge porn and it is beyond time that we close this loophole,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “Far too many individuals have suff ered through this painful abuse, and continue to live in fear, all without having an avenue to seek justice.” Another provision in the bill changes current law under which minors, under 18 years of age, who share explicit images of themselves or other minors can be charged with violating Massachusetts child pornography laws and be required to register with the Sex Off ender Registry. The bill allows minors to be diverted to an educational program that would provide them with information about the consequences of posting or transmitting indecent visual depictions of minors. Supporters say that under current law, when faced with an incident of sexting among teenagers, law enforcement offi cials are faced with either charging them with a felony or taking no action. They note the proposal provides law enforcement offi cers with a middle ground that will allow them to educate kids about the consequences of their actions without ruining their lives. The House and Senate approved diff erent versions of similar measures in 2022 but the proposals eventually died in the House from inaction. QUOTABLE QUOTES “Make no mistake about it, it’s not going to be easy every year. We don’t get [federal pandemic relief] money every year. It will be a challenge to keep this commitment, but you have my word and from these guys who are going to be here after me that we’ll make it -- we’ll make it work.” ---House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) on the $171.5 million in this year’s budget to fund a requirement that all public schools provide ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...BRIGHT and SUNNY corner unit at Clifton Arms! This nicely renovated unit offers 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms wtih NEW carpeting, kitchen with NEW quartz counters open to dining room with hardwood wall air conditioner and slider to private balcony, great laundry in building, extra storage, one nicely located parking spot, located just outside Cliftondale Square. Perfect Opportunity for Affordable Home Ownership! Welcome home to Clifton Arms! View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. free school lunches to all K-12 students in all schools regardless of family income; and free breakfast only to the students in schools which participate in the breakfast program. “Our country’s democracy is a work in progress. That said, some states are going backwards — putting up barriers to people voting. Let’s be a state where things are moving forward — by passing the Voting Access Act.” ---Janet Domenitz, executive director of MASSPIRG urging passage of The Voting Access Act which she says will remove long-standing barriers to voting by enacting same day registration, disability voting oversight and other reforms to make voting easier for Bay Staters. “Today I saw fi rsthand the devastating impacts of severe fl ooding in Leominster and North Attleborough – and it was painfully clear that Massachusetts is in a state of emergency. This declaration will expedite our eff orts to deliver relief to impacted communities and bolster our ability to access federal resources.” --- Gov. Maura Healey on declaring a state of emergency in Massachusetts. “We currently have over $3.4 billion in unclaimed property at Treasury, and it could be yours. Unclaimed property’s time is up; your time is now. ---State Treasurer Deb Goldberg urging residents to see if they are the owners of unclaimed property by checking the comprehensive list at https://www.fi ndmassmoney. gov/ or calling 888-344-MASS (6277). HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and FRAUD | FROM Page 7 Utilities. Prado and his co-conspirators also used the stolen social security numbers for tax reporting on their fraudulent accounts. Once the driving accounts were active, Prado either used the accounts himself or rented them out to others, who also could not pass the background checks, often because they did not have social security numbers and were in the United States illegally. Prado also used his fake driver accounts to get bonuses from rideshare companies by referring his other fake driver accounts as new drivers. In addition, Prado and his coconspirators used an app, which they called “the drone,” to spoof rides and ride lengths, so that they were paid by the rideshare companies for “ghost rides” or for rides that were longer and more expensive than those actually provided. Prado received payments via bank accounts that he opened in the names of identity theft victims. The charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years of in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fi ne of 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 September 1115, the House met for a total of 15 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 10 minutes. Mon. Sept. 11 House 12:01 p.m. to 12:06 p.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Tues. Sept. 12 No House session No Senate session Wed. Sept. 13 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Sept. 14 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:17 a.m. to 11:22 a.m. Fri. Sept. 15 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. $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the crime. Each charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of 24 months, in addition to any other sentence imposed, a year of supervised release, and a fi ne of $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from the crime. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Zachary Cunha and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Social Security Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Holcomb and Kriss Basil of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case. Mr. Cunha was assigned to oversee this matter by the Department of Justice upon recusal of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
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