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THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes from the week of October 23-27. There were no roll calls in the House last week.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (S 2481)
Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would require all prisons, homeless shelters and K-12 schools to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins, tampons and underwear liners in private and public restrooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.”
Supporters say that according to the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition, approximately one in seven children in Massachusetts is living in poverty and struggles to pay for menstrual products. They argue that research shows that the inability to access menstrual products affects students’ class attendance.
They also note that women facing homelessness or who are incarcerated face high barriers to access, with Massachusetts shelters reporting that menstrual products are among the least donated items. They argue that restricted access in shelters and correctional facilities means that products can be used as bargaining chips and tools of control for people in vulnerable circumstances.
“I learned about this issue from young people in Medford High School, Somerville High School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin who took leadership at the local level to make menstrual hygiene products available in their own communities,” said sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “This is a true grassroots movement starting with girls talking about their experiences of missing valuable class time or feeling embarrassed to access products during the school day. These conversations have already started to change the culture and have motivated us to expand this across the state.”
“Period products are not luxuries, but necessities required for people’s basic needs, health and hygiene,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Senate Chair of the Committee on Public Health. “Today’s passage of the … bill affirms that women and all menstruating people deserve access to menstrual products. An inaccessibility of period products speaks to the longstanding and persistent misogyny in our society, a bias that intersects with inequalities in housing, education, socioeconomics and beyond. By ensuring better access to these products, we support further access to essential health needs regardless of our situation in life.”
During floor debate, Cyr commented, “I think it’s pretty obvious that if most men could menstruate, these products would be as ubiquitous and free as toilet paper.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Sen. Jason Lewis Yes
HIV PREVENTION DRUGS (S 2480)
Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer a short-term supply (60-days once in a two-year period) of HIV prevention drugs, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to a patient without a prescription.
The bill requires pharmacists to provide counseling to the patient regarding the use of PrEP, to inform the patient’s primary care doctor that the pharmacist has prescribed the drug and to connect patients without a primary care provider with a health care provider for ongoing care and to obtain a prescription for PrEP
Under the bill, pharmacists could only prescribe PrEP to patients who have tested negative for HIV within the past seven days, do not have HIV symptoms and are not taking medications that are not safe to use with PrEP.
Supporters say that PrEP is a life-saving medication that is nearly 100 per cent effective in stopping the transmission of HIV. They note that that under current law, individuals who take PrEP must make an appointment and go through their doctor, a barrier that can stand in the way for people who need the medication on short notice, cannot make an appointment or cannot access medical care.
“PrEP is a game changer in HIV prevention. Yet, while this life-saving medication reduces the risk of transmission by 99 per cent, it remains inaccessible for too many,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Senate Chair of the Committee on Public Health. “Allowing pharmacists to prescribe and dispense PrEP on a short-term basis, similar to what’s already allowed for contraceptives, would significantly increase the accessibility of this essential HIV prevention tool. With greater access to PrEP we can narrow the gap in PrEP utilization among LGBTQ+ people of color. I am someone who uses PrEP and most of my gay, bisexual and queer friends rely on it too. With this legislation, we are once again putting people at the center of our public health policy. I’m thrilled it has passed the Senate.”
“When someone is ready to begin PrEP, it is crucial that they are able to [do so] as soon as possible,” said Carrie Richgels, Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Fenway Health. “At Fenway Health, we regularly work to overcome barriers that patients face due to trauma, stigma and discrimination. We know from experience that to overcome these obstacles we must meet people where they are and build trust. Trust is essential to getting people on PrEP, and a local pharmacy can provide a lower threshold of access and can be a trusted access point for those who may face discrimination in traditional healthcare settings.”
“PrEP is a true example of how preventative healthcare saves lives,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “By allowing pharmacists to prescribe PrEP in Massachusetts, we are expanding equitable access to healthcare by breaking down another barrier that our residents—and especially our LGBTQ+ community—face when they act to protect themselves from HIV.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Sen. Jason Lewis Yes
ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL
SIGN UP FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT ON NOVEMBER 9: BUILDING THE ENERGY GRID OF THE FUTURE – Massachusetts has set leading goals for slashing greenhouse gas emissions. While clean energy generation and consumer technologies receive the lion’s share of attention, the grid infrastructure can’t support a sharp increase in megawatts without historic investments.
Join MASSterList and the State House News Service at an in-person event on Nov 9 at the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) in Downtown Crossing, with leading energy experts and business and energy executives to dive deeper into the sheer scale of needed investments and how regulators can ensure that the commonwealth keeps pace with its goals and the opportunities the transition can provide. Learn more/sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-the-grid-of-the-future-tickets-741550075237?aff=BHRC
REQUIRE TRAINING COURSES FOR MEMBERS OF SEVERAL LOCAL BOARDS IN CITIES AND TOWNS (H 2047) – The Municipalities and Regional Government Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require new members of local boards of health, conservation commissions, planning boards and zoning boards of appeals to attend a free state-sponsored program of education and training annually.
“Members of local regulatory boards and commissions make consequential decisions that directly impact their communities,” said sponsor Rep. Chris Flanagan (D-Dennis). “There are many members steeped in town bylaws and state regulations. However, there are many appointed and elected members who do not have this expertise or knowledge base. [The bill’s] objective is to support local board and commission members in their work and give members a baseline understanding of laws and procedures to assist them in their deliberations.”
FENTANYL STRIPS (H 2009) – The Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a hearing on a proposal that would create a pilot program for the purpose of implementing and studying the efficacy of fentanyl testing strips in combating the increasing rate of opioid-related deaths of individuals addicted to opioids and other substances. These small strips of paper are used to detect the presence of fentanyl in many different kinds of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.
“I decided to sponsor this bill because there were 2,301 opioid-related overdose deaths [in Massachusetts] in 2021 and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic opiates, mainly fentanyl, accounted for 90 percent of all opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts,” said sponsor Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox). “Fentanyl testing strips – and the pilot program that this legislation creates – can protect against the pervasive threat of fentanyl exposure in our neighborhoods, our homes, our schools and our communities.”
MAGIC MUSHROOM THERAPY (S 1263) – Another measure heard by the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee would establish a psilocybin-assisted therapy pilot program operated by the state Bureau of Substance Use Addiction Services to provide qualified patients with the funding necessary to receive psilocybin-assisted therapy as part of any expanded access program approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic substance found in magic mushrooms and is used to treat mental health disorders including major depressive disorder and substance abuse.
“There is mounting evidence from over 50 years of medical studies that suggest psilocybin has potential as a form of treatment for a variety of disorders, particularly substance use disorder,” said Sen. Susan Moran (D-Falmouth). “This bill is a proactive step towards establishing a framework for the medicinal use of psilocybin and bringing a potentially revolutionary therapy to those suffering from mental health disorders.”
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS IN CONDO PARKING SPACES (S 852) – The Housing Committee’s hearing included a bill that would prevent condominium associations from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting owners from installing EV charging equipment in or near an owner’s parking space. Restrictions that significantly increase the cost of the equipment, decrease its efficiency or effectively prohibit its installation would not be permitted. The bill would also require owners to pay the costs of installing and maintaining the charging equipment and for the costs of the electricity consumed during charging.
“The commonwealth needs to install hundreds of thousands of residential electric vehicle charging stations to meet its goals for EV adoption, but at the moment, condominium associations can prevent owners from installing them,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “We need to clear away unreasonable obstacles to installing EV charging stations at condominiums, not only because we will need those charging stations to reach our climate obligations, but also because condo owners deserve the right to charge.”
OPT OUT OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO ABORTION SERVICES (H 2887) – The Revenue Committee held a hearing on legislation that would give taxpayers the option to indicate on their state income tax return that they do not want any portion of their income tax liability to be utilized for abortion services.
“I believe that taxpayers should have the option to not have their money used – directly or indirectly – to fund abortion activities that they find morally reprehensible,” said Rep. Joseph McKenna (R-Webster). “People should not be forced, through the use of their taxes, to support this industry that has taken the lives of millions of unborn babies.”
USE INCOME TAX RETURN TO MAKE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO FIREFIGHTERS ACADEMY TRUST FUND (S 2446) – Another proposal before the Revenue Committee would give taxpayers the option on their tax return to donate to the Massachusetts Fire Fighters Academy Trust Fund. According to its website, the academy “trains municipal fire service personnel at no cost to cities and towns … and also offers fire officer training and over 300 continuing education courses.”
“I filed the legislation because firefighters, including in my district of Western Massachusetts, provide a critical service and are the safety backbones of our communities,” said Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow). “Passing this legislation will contribute to a more robust workforce. “
CREATE A STATE-OWNED BANK (S 682/H 975) – Legislation that would establish a publicly owned, state-run Bank of Massachusetts was the subject of a hearing before the Financial Services Committee. The bank would be capitalized with $200 million in state funds deposited over four years. Its deposits of approximately $1.4 billion would be drawn from existing state revenues currently invested out-of-state.
The bank would provide affordable financing to small and medium-sized businesses, especially in under-served communities; assist businesses and municipalities in recovering from the economic repercussions of external shocks, including pandemics, recessions and natural disasters; respond to the unmet affordable financing needs of cities and towns in the commonwealth; address the historic and current disadvantages experienced by the state’s minority and women-owned enterprises by providing affordable financing; and increase available affordable housing options for all Bay State residents.
“I sponsored [the bill] to ensure that more working families, underserved communities including women and minority owned small businesses and farms, cities and towns interested in infrastructure and climate resiliency projects and housing and worker cooperatives have better access to capital,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “Too many residents, entrepreneurs and municipalities do not have access to loans from financial institutions, creating a barrier for job creation, limiting the ability to address the housing and climate crises and maintaining the status quo for improving communities. Establishing a public bank will help Massachusetts overcome these challenges and help address wealth and racial inequities that were only made worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Notably, our public bank would not compete with the existing commercial banking sector,” said House sponsor Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “Rather, this bank would smartly leverage state resources to address needs that the commercial banking sector is often unable to meet. In fact, the bank would look to partner with commercial banks, thereby helping to make more projects and small businesses ‘bankable’ when they otherwise wouldn’t be.”
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“The death of four Massachusetts workers in the last three weeks is a clear sign that more must be done to protect workers on the job.”
—Statement from the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health.
“MGM Springfield’s failure to provide its employees, especially service workers earning an hourly wage and relying on tips, with their full wages and benefits made it more difficult for these employees to take care of themselves and their families. My office will continue to hold accountable those who violate our wage and hour laws.”
—Attorney General Andrea Campbell on her office reaching a settlement with MGM Springfield totaling $6.8 million in the form of restitution and penalties for wage and hour violations.
“Our audits exist to help make government work better. When our audit findings and recommendations are ignored, as was the case here, it’s not only a waste of taxpayer dollars but can be a threat to public safety. It is imperative that these matters be addressed immediately.”
—Auditor Diana DiZoglio on her finding that the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) has not yet implemented prior recommendations by the previous auditor to ensure that SORB have current addresses for sex offenders in violation.
“I didn’t have the option to take paid leave when I had my kids or when I was taking care of my sick mother late in her life—and I was not the only one. Generations of mothers, fathers, caretakers and people who were ill, had to choose between getting a paycheck and spending time taking care of themselves or their loved ones.”
—Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) celebrating two years of the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program which more than 200,000 Massachusetts workers have used to take paid time off work to care for their own health, or to care for a sick family member or a new child.
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 filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions.
During the week of October 23-27, the House met for a total of 25 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 46 minutes.
Mon. Oct. 23 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:08 a.m.
Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:10 a.m.
Tues. Oct. 24 No House session
No Senate session
.
Wed. Oct. 25 No House session
No Senate session
Thurs. Oct. 26 House 11:06 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.
Senate 1:04 p.m. to 2:48 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 27 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.
