Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022 BHRC | FROM PAGE 17 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 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. “Under current law, when faced with an incident of sexting among teenagers, the police are forced with either charging them with a felony or doing nothing,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “The bill passed today provides law enforcement officers with a middle ground that will allow them to educate kids about the consequences of their actions without ruining their lives. It will have a tremendous impact on people who have become entangled in the web and transmittal of images that can cause traumatic and lifetime harm through a diversion program that will educate them about the legal and personal consequences of ‘sexting.’” “This bill prioritizes survivors of revenge porn by unlocking resources for them while, at the same time, closing a loophole in our criminal harassment statute that will serve to deter and punish those who engage in these horrifi c acts,” said Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), the House chair of the Judiciary Committee. “From providing access to victim witness advocates and direct input on criminal dispositions to enabling survivors to pursue civil remedies against their perpetrators, this approach will empower survivors to reclaim their lives in addition to providing clearly enforceable punitive measures for these crimes.” “I’m proud the House today passed a bill consistent with our intent during criminal justice reform to provide intervention through diversion instead of incarceration for minors,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “Additionally, the bill criminalizes image-based sexual assault by adults and aff ords victims of this crime protections, including the opportunity to get a harassment prevention order against their perpetrator.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong Yes $49.78 BILLION FISCAL 2023 STATE BUDGET (S 4) Senate 40-0, approved a $49.78 billion fi scal 2023 state budget after adding nearly 500 amendments and $93 million in spending during three days of debate. The House has already approved a diff erent version and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor. Provisions include $16.5 million for grants to the Head Start program to maintain access to early education services for low-income families; $1.5 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide; $243.8 million for charter school reimbursements; $112.5 million for children’s mental health services; $56 million for domestic violence prevention services; $30.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program; and $24.1 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for at-risk youth. Supporters said that the budget also codifi es new protections for receiving and providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Massachusetts, in response to laws in other states allowing their residents to bring legal action against individuals for traveling out-of-state to receive services and against workers who provide care. It also includes $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure and safety. “The residents of Massachusetts are at the center of our work and their voice, advocacy and contributions are interwoven throughout our fi scal year 2023 budget,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “I take great pride in advancing a budget that contains meaningful investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, public higher education, mental health and substance use disorder treatment as well as a record level of assistance for low-income residents.” “Today, the members of the Senate have spoken and moved forward together to pass a fi scal year 2023 budget that strengthens our state’s economic foundation, upholds the fundamental rights of our people and continues our eff orts to build a more inclusive commonwealth,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) “The budget that passed the Senate today continues our commitment to funding the urgent needs of our residents, including increased funding for housing, education, child care, and assistance for families,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. She added that she was also incredibly proud of her amendment which will enhance protections for residents, visitors and providers engaged in lawful reproductive and gender-affi rming health care in the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget). Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes
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