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Page 14 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList— the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/ su/aPTLucKs THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 18-22. There were no roll calls in the House last week. REVENGE PORN AND TEEN SEXTING (S 2703) Senate 40-0, approved a proposal 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 is one of only two states that does not have a law about this crime. The measure makes it illegal to break this new law and establishes a sentence of up to 2.5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000; increases the upper limit of the fine for criminal harassment from $1,000 to $5,000; and allows a victim to petition the court for a harassment prevention order against a person who has violated this statute. Another provision 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 are required to register with the Sex Offender 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. “With passage of this bill today we take another step towards closing a loophole in our laws that has caused pain, anguish, embarrassment and a sense of helplessness to those survivors who for so long suffered in silence, without justice,” said chief sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “I am deeply grateful to those who shared their stories and advocated for change to ensure others would not have to suffer as THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 29, 2024 “The plan passed by the SenBeacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen they have. For every case we know of, countless others remain hidden, so I hope passage of this legislation by the Senate will soon lead to the bill being signed into law by the governor. Most importantly, I hope it will provide some closure for survivors and their loved ones and send a clear message that there will be consequences for such conduct.” “I am proud that the Senate has passed comprehensive legislation to prevent abuse and exploitation,” said Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee. “The rise of new technology has created a reality in our society where it is easy to cause great harm and significant trauma to people, and Massachusetts needs to take action to better protect victims and prevent such disturbing actions from happening. We also need to provide more tools to protect people in a relationship from being psychologically abused through coercive control, with a growing recognition of the many ways that a partner or family member can cause emotional harm.” The House has already approved a different version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will likely work out a compromise version. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCLUDING $250 MILLION FUNDING FOR SHELTERS (S 2708) Senate 32-8, approved a supplemental budget that includes an additional $250 million in funding for the Emergency Assistance Program that funds the emergency family shelter system which houses migrants. The bill requires each family in shelter to receive an individualized rehousing plan. It makes eligibility for shelter after nine months contingent upon compliance with the rehousing plan, with certain categorical exemptions. It would also allow officials to award one or more 90-day extensions to shelter residents who meet certain criteria, such as veterans, the disabled, a single parents of children with disabilities or those who need an extension to avoid losing a job. Other provisions keep in place some pandemic-era programs, set to expire, including allowing restaurants to sell beer, wine and cocktails for take-out and expanding outdoor dining. ate today addresses the state’s fiscal reality while also treating individuals who have migrated to our state with dignity and respect,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “As we continue to navigate through a challenge that has landed on our doorstep because of Congressional inaction, today we are addressing the immediate need to house families, bolstering our existing efforts to support those who have immigrated here in becoming part of our workforce, and providing a roadmap to manage this effort over time.” “The Senate recognized the necessity of continuing to proactively respond swiftly and decisively to meet this unprecedented humanitarian emergency shelter crisis head-on, by not only providing the requisite funds to address this crisis, but also provide a longterm framework to transition these families out of temporary shelters and into permanent housing,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With $250 million in emergency funding for fiscal year 2024, we can weather this challenge as we develop solutions for rehousing families, provide workforce opportunities and integrate these children into our public school system. “I voted No on the supplemental budget because the “Right to Shelter” law is costing the commonwealth $3 million a day to house, feed, protect and educate or provide childcare services to individuals and families who are not our residents,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “Our emergency shelter program was never meant to handle the number of individuals it is housing today and the federal government, who has the sole authority to handle this immigration crisis and provide financial relief to states, is nowhere to be found,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) who also voted against the measure. “As the demand for the program continues at this unsustainable rate, we simply cannot continue to fund this ourselves without jeopardizing countless critical programs that we hold dear.” Sen. Bruce Tarr, the chief opponent of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain why he voted against it. (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES MUST CONSULT WITH STATE (S 2708) Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would require resettlement agencies to consult on a monthly baMassachusetts Child And Family Tax Credit Y ou are entitled to claim a tax credit on your 2023 Massachusetts individual income tax return if you are taking care of a dependent child, other dependent or spouse with a disability or another dependent who is age 65 or older. You can claim this tax credit if you are filing single, head of household or married filing joint on your tax return. Your dependent child must be under age 13 as of December 31, 2023. With respect to a dependent age 65 or older as of December 31, 2023, that would not include you or your spouse. The tax credit to claim on your Massachusetts return is $310 for each qualifying individual. There is no limit to the number of qualified individuals that you can claim the tax credit for. For calendar year 2024, the tax credit will increase to $440 per qualifying individual. If you are a Massachusetts non-resident filing a non-resident Massachusetts income tax return, you cannot claim this tax credit. Part year residents can claim the credit and must calculate the tax credit he or she is qualified for based upon the days living in Massachusetts. A dependent or spouse with a disability is an individual who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself and who principally lives with the taxpayer for more than half of the taxable year. This is also a refundable tax credit so even if you your total tax is zero and you had no withholdings from wages or pension income, for example, you would still be able to receive a refund based upon the tax credit as calculated on your Massachusetts income tax return. This is the first year that Massachusetts has provided for such a tax credit. It is a big help to taxpayers caring for children, parents or disabled individuals. This is in addition to the virtual doubling of the circuit breaker tax credit available to taxpayers age 65 or older. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. sis with the Governor’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to ascertain the projected availability of space in the state’s shelter system. It also prohibits resettlement agencies from undertaking resettlement activity when it is foreseeable that the shelter system will exceed capacity. “By directing resettlement agencies to work more closely with the Healey Administration, [the amendment] would have helped the commonwealth better forecast its shelter capacity and ensure that we always have space for those who need it most,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury) who voted in favor of the amendment. “I believe this would’ve been key to ensuring that our emergency shelter system is not overrun and that we can keep costs from spiraling out of control.” Amendment opponents said the amendment is unnecessary and argued the resettlement agencies do a great job and should not be handcuffed and tied up with the bureaucracy. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment and Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) who opposed the amendment did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to explain why they voted the way they did. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEACON HILL ROLL | SEE PAGE 18

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