Author: john_velis

Hello Everyone, 

I hope all of you have been enjoying the sunny weather this week.  Hopefully that means the spring is just around the corner.   

My team and I have been all over the district this week.  As the discussions surrounding the HEROS Act goes forward, we have been meeting with veterans and other stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth to find ways for the legislation to best benefit all involved.  As Chair of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, and a veteran myself, the wellbeing of my fellow veterans and service members is one of my top priorities as an elected official.  I look forward to continuing the work on this legislation and all legislation to help my fellow veterans.   

Yesterday marked the 250^th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of West Springfield.  A quarter of a millennium is quite the milestone!  Festivities took place at Clark Field and saw performances from school bands, food from local vendors, and it all culminated in a firework show at the end of the evening! This was an amazing time and is just the start of a series of events to celebrate the Town of West Springfield’s birthday throughout this year.  I’m looking forward to all that’s to come this spring and summer over in West Side! 

This week my office hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and Holyoke COA on Wednesday.  Next week, we have quite the lineup of office hours including spending time at the Westfield COA on Monday at 12:30 PM, then heading over to the Russell COA on Tuesday at 11:30 AM and wrapping up office hours for the month of February at the Southampton COA on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Have a great weekend, 

John Velis 

(BOSTON – 2/2/2024) During the Senate’s gun bill debate yesterday, an amendment by Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) was unanimously adopted with bi-partisan support to create a legal mechanism to ensure that repeat violent offenders of gun crimes who have violated the conditions of their release can be detained until trial. 

The amendment, which was supported by both the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association and the Massachusetts District Attorney Association, focuses directly on individuals without a license-to-carry who have been charged with a gun or violent offense, released following a hearing, and who subsequently have violated the conditions of that release by committing yet another gun crime or violent offense.  

“If we keep allowing repeat violent firearm offenders who have no regard for the conditions of their release, our gun laws, or human life back on the streets then we are going to continue to see lives lost by senseless violence and families forever devasted by what should have been preventable,” stated Senator John C. Velis. “The violent gun crimes that we are seeing and hearing about in our communities, are overwhelmingly being committed by individuals without a legal license to have a gun, who have a known demonstrable propensity for violence, and it’s past time that we had a mechanism to address that.” 

“I am fully supportive of this amendment as it will give law enforcement an additional tool in keeping victims and the general public safe from those who repeatedly pose significant risk to public safety. “ stated Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “We are increasingly seeing the same offenders out in our community brazenly re-offend and ignore our serious gun and drug laws. This would be a significant step in keeping law abiding people and families safe in their communities.” 

“The Massachusetts Chiefs Police Association is pleased to see that Senator Velis’s amendment number six regarding repeat gun offenders has been included for consideration.” shared Chief Eric Gillis, President of the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association. “We believe that accountability for both our judiciary and gun offenders is essential for the safety of the communities that we serve.” 

In the Senator’s floor remarks yesterday, he noted several recent gun crimes in Western Massachusetts that this amendment aims to address, including the arrest of an individual charged with murder just last week in Springfield. The individual had not only been convicted of a prior firearm offense but was out on bail for three separate gun charges at the time of his arrest. Senator Velis also recounted the tragic death of an infant this past fall in the City of Holyoke where an innocent pregnant woman was struck by a stray bullet while traveling on a PVTA bus resulting in devasting loss of her baby. One of the suspects charged with the infant’s horrific murder was out on bail for an unrelated open firearm charge at the time of the shooting. 

“I want to commend state Senator John Velis for having the intestinal fortitude and filing this amendment. This important language will go a long way to help protect our residents and business community from repeat violent criminal offenders that time and time again continue to create mayhem on our streets and in our community through the use of violence and guns.” Shared Mayor Domenic J. Sarno (Springfield). “Thank you, Senator Velis and the Massachusetts Senate for passing this language.  I would encourage the House to do the right thing and to also adopt this language to keep our neighborhoods and streets safe and sound.”    

“This bill included many provisions, but none may be more effective at removing weapons from those proven to intend harm than this one,” commented Senator Adam Gomez (D- Springfield).“I want to thank the Senator from Westfield for offering this amendment, empowering our law enforcement to take weapons from dangerous individuals.” 

“We cannot lose sight of all the people who live in constant fear of the gun violence happening right outside their front door or across the street from their child’s school on a daily basis by the offenders who are released over, and over, and over again,” said Senator Velis, who noted that the City of Springfield’s shot spotter had picked up 9 separate instances of gun fire on Wednesday afternoon, including a couple hundred yards away from an elementary school. “We have an opportunity today that would send a clear message to these violent repeat offenders- if you are released for a violent crime or unlawful gun offense and go back into our communities and cause more of the same havoc you will be detained until your trial, and we will not let you cause more senseless harm.” 

With the amendment included in the Senate’s final gun bill, the legislation will now be a part of the House-Senate negotiations on a final compromise bill.  

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(Westfield – 1/22/2024) Today Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) shared his outrage regarding the lack of access and visibility to the over-the-counter opioid reversal drug Narcan in Massachusetts pharmacies following the release of a Boston Globe survey of more than 60 statewide pharmacies.

This survey found that many pharmacies in the Commonwealth were inconsistent with their access to Narcan and did not have the item in stock or displayed on store shelves, despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision last spring to allow the overdose reversal drug to be sold directly to consumers and a Massachusetts law requiring all state licensed retail pharmacies to maintain a continuous supply of the lifesaving drug.

“Narcan saves lives, but only when people are able to get it. With the FDA’s monumental decision this past spring and clear state guidelines, it is absolutely unacceptable that we are not seeing Narcan stocked on all store shelves in every pharmacy across our state,” said Senator Velis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. “The very heart of the FDA’s decision and our state’s guidelines was to make Narcan more available and reduce stigma.  If you hide it and make people go back to pharmacy to ask for assistance, the entire purpose is defeated. We cannot lose sight that people’s lives are at stake.”

Senator Velis shared that he plans to reach out to the Department of Public Health about current state guidelines and will be raising this issue as part of the Joint Committee’s work this session.

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Would become third state in the nation to outlaw the inhumane procedure

(BOSTON–1/18/2024) Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation that would prohibit declawing, tendonectomy, and similar procedures from being performed on cats in Massachusetts, except in cases of medical necessity to address a condition that jeopardizes a cat’s health—as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

Declawing a cat involves amputating the first bone on each toe, and tendonectomies involve cutting a tendon in each toe that controls the extension of claws.

Cats who have had their claws removed are more likely to experience paw pain, back pain, infection, tissue death, and could be unable to use their legs properly. They are also more likely to incur nerve damage and bone spurs as a result of claw regrowth, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The procedure is commonly performed for human convenience and to prevent damage to furniture, rather than medical necessity.

“The cats of Massachusetts are our beloved friends, and thousands of our Commonwealth’s residents return home from work or school every day looking forward to a warm purr that greets them at the door,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today, the Senate acted to treat our feline friends as we would any friend—with the kindness and respect to which they are entitled—by passing legislation to outlaw the outdated and cruel procedure of declawing. As we pass today’s legislation, I am thankful to Senator Montigny for sponsoring the bill, Chair Rodrigues and Chair Cronin for their support, and the countless advocates who have brought this issue to the forefront.”

“I’m pleased this compassionate animal protection bill has been passed by the full Senate. Unnecessary declawing of cats in the Commonwealth has no place in our society and should rightfully be constituted as animal abuse. I would like to thank Senator Montigny and the animal rights activists who were largely responsible for this commonsense legislation,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“Declawing cats is a practice we need to leave in the past,” said Senator John J. Cronin (D-Fitchburg), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and all of the advocates who made this legislation possible.”

“Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane,” said Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), a longtime legislative leader for the humane treatment of animals. “But it is also a procedure that is widely misunderstood and requested by owners. By passing this legislation, veterinarians will no longer have to weigh the choice knowing that if they don’t provide the procedure an owner is likely to just look for someone who will. This is another step in my commitment to protect animals in the Commonwealth. As a state we have done far too little to punish heartless abusers and to push back against a weak court system that has too often failed to hold them accountable. There are too many people who have committed horrendous abuses to animals that have been unpunished and are walking free to continue to do harm.”

S.2552—An Act prohibiting inhumane feline declawing—would only permit licensed veterinarians to declaw a cat if they determine it is medically necessary. Veterinarians who violate the conditions for performing a declawing may be subject to disciplinary action by their licensure board.

Under this legislation, the civil penalty for violating this prohibition is $1,000 for the first offense, $1,500 for a second offense, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense. If passed into law, Massachusetts would join New York and Maryland as the third state to have enacted statewide bans on declawing. Additionally, more than a dozen U.S. cities have banned the practice and dozens of countries ban it or consider it illegal.

The bill has been praised by animal rights and animal welfare advocates around the Commonwealth.

“We thank the Senate for advancing this bill and again demonstrating their commitment to animal protection,” said Kara Holmquist, Director of Advocacy for the MSPCA-Angell. “Our animal hospital, Angell Animal Medical Center, has not performed declawing surgery for decades because it is not in the interest of the animal, often involves painful complications, and can create lifelong behavior problems. We are grateful that this unnecessary amputation will be prohibited in the state.”

“This legislation would protect countless Massachusetts cats from a painful and unnecessary surgical procedure,” said Stephanie Harris, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “New York, Maryland, and many major municipalities already ban declawing — and we hope Massachusetts will be next.”

“This legislation marks a big victory towards protecting cats from unnecessary suffering and upholds Massachusetts’ position as a leader in compassionate animal treatment. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the bill’s sponsor, Senator Mark Montigny and Senate President Spilka for their unwavering commitment to animal protection,” said Preyel Patel, Massachusetts State Director for The Humane Society of the United States.

“Declawing of cats, except when medically required, is an unnecessary surgery that causes behavioral and physical harm,” said Dr. Erin Doyle, DVM, ARL Senior Vice President of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. “The surgery is an amputation of part of the toe and can result in infection, lameness, and chronic pain. Scratching is a normal cat behavior, and there are many easy and safe options to prevent cats from scratching in a destructive way. Banning this cruel practice will prevent animals in Massachusetts from needless pain and suffering.”

“With this vote, Massachusetts is one step closer to becoming one of the most humane states in the union,” said Jennifer Conrad, DVM, of the Paw Project, a nonprofit entirely dedicated to ending the cruel practice of declawing. “Senator Mark Montigny deeply cares about what’s best for everyone in Massachusetts. He knows that this bill is good for cats because they won’t have to get their toes cut off. It’s good for people because they won’t have declawed cats who bite and/or don’t use the litter box. It’s good for veterinarians because they won’t have to declaw anymore and break their oath of doing no harm, and it’s good for the community because taxpayer dollars won’t be needed to pay for declawed cats who end up in shelters where they languish due to their behavior problems that were caused by declawing,”

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now heads to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

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Legislation would establish statewide standards for appraisals, mitigating risk for residents

(BOSTON–1/18/2024) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation to enhance consumer protections for residents receiving appraisals for their own real estate, or prospective real estate.

S.2550—An Act providing consumers with equal protection for all real estate appraisals—would require that all real estate appraisals in the state be conducted exclusively by certified or licensed appraisers. If passed into law, the bill would help build consumer trust in the appraisal process by ensuring appraisers are qualified and fall under appropriate regulatory oversight.

“As a Senate and a Commonwealth, we are investing monumentally in our state’s housing, with the goal of making buying a home more affordable for every resident,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation ensures that when our residents reach the critical moment of receiving an appraisal, Massachusetts has their backs by ensuring the property is valued fairly and accurately. I am grateful to Majority Leader Creem for sponsoring this important legislation, and to Chair Rodrigues and Cronin for their support and leadership in the committee process.”

“People are surprised to learn that under current Massachusetts law, anyone can conduct a real estate appraisal, even if they don’t have the appropriate education and experience,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “By mandating that real estate appraisals be conducted by certified and licensed professionals, we are protecting Massachusetts consumers from sham or inaccurate appraisals that can have serious financial consequences.”

“I’m delighted the Senate has approved this consumer protection legislation that will greatly benefit and protect Massachusetts homeowners from bad actors in the industry. Homeowners in the Commonwealth who are exploring a potential sale of their property should not have to worry about unnecessary appraisals or unlicensed operators who do not act in good faith,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“Purchasing or selling real estate is one of the most impactful decisions people make,” Senator John J. Cronin (D-Fitchburg), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “This legislation ensures the appraisal process is fair, accurate, and supports property owners’ long-term security.”

Under current law, Massachusetts allows any person, without having to meet any standards such as education and experience, to perform valuation services for estate settlements, divorces, business dissolutions or litigation, among other things. This exposes consumers to unreasonable risk, as an individual who is not licensed or certified may prepare unsupportable valuations while operating outside of regulatory oversight and accountability. Unlicensed appraisers also mean that there is no recourse by state’s Division of Occupational Licensure when a consumer is harmed.

According to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, forty-two other states ensure consumers are protected by requiring the use of certified or licensed appraisers for all real estate appraisals. By contrast, with licensing required only for federally related transactions such as some mortgages, Massachusetts fails to fully protect consumers. This laxity permits unlicensed individuals to conduct real estate valuation services for any other purpose.

Under the legislation, to attain and retain state certification or licensing for appraisals an individual would be required to meet national and state standards, which include:

· Completing 200 to 300 hours of classroom appraisal education and passing exams.

· Participating in 15 hours of classroom instruction on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

· Accumulating 1,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience.

· Passing a 4- to 6-hour national licensing examination.

· Completing 28 hours of continuing education every two years, including 7 hours focused on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

The effort to increase appraisal licensure has robust support from real estate appraisal professionals.

“Today’s action by the Senate brings the Commonwealth closer to providing all consumers with assurance that their real estate appraisal is performed by a qualified, licensed professional,” stated Howard Dono, MRA, President of the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers. “The MBREA appreciates the leadership of the bill’s sponsor, Senator Cynthia Creem, and Senate President Spilka for their commitment to consumer protection.”

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

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Bill would strike discriminatory laws, establish a permanent commission to recommend outdated legislation for repeal

(BOSTON–1/18/2024) Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to modernize the Commonwealth’s laws and strike outdated and non-inclusive statutes that are discriminatory against LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.

S.2551—An Act relative to archaic laws—would remove archaic laws that intrude on an individual’s privacy regarding sexual activity. The bill would remove existing statutes that criminalize sodomy and so-called ‘unnatural’ acts between consenting adults and make Massachusetts laws more inclusive of individuals who are LGBTQIA+. Terms struck include terminology such as sodomy, “unnatural or lascivious” sex acts, and “common nightwalkers”. In some cases, the language that this bill would strike from the General Laws dates back into the 1800s.

Additionally, the bill would establish a permanent law revision commission to examine common law, statutes and judicial decisions to identify anachronisms in the law and recommend needed reforms; receive and consider proposed changes; recommend changes in the law to align with modern conditions; and make recommendations to improve the openness and accessibility of state laws.

“Fewer things give me greater pride than leading a Senate that has spent years at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights, and living in a Commonwealth where we proudly embrace every individual for who they are,” Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “But while our values have changed for the better, sometimes the letter of the law has not. I am tremendously grateful for Senator Brownsberger’s diligent and painstaking work to ensure that our laws reflect the inclusive values of Massachusetts as we live them today, and creating a mechanism for removing laws that are no longer acceptable or relevant. I extend my sincere thanks to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Eldridge for their support through the committee process.

“This bill sends a message that Massachusetts is a place that cares about the freedom of individuals,” said Senator Willian N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), President Pro Tempore of the Senate. “I look forward to working with my House colleagues to get this on the Governor’s desk.”

“It’s highly important to have our existing laws and language contained therein reflect the current times we live in. The creation of a permanent law review commission will go a long way towards abolishing archaic laws from the Massachusetts General Laws,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport) Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“The commission created by this bill is essential as we continue to make progress on key policy areas and see the law change over time here in Massachusetts,” said Senator James B. Eldridge, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “This bill will repeal laws that are outdated and negatively affect the LGBTQ+ community, and I look forward to the proposals that will come from this committee as they ensure our laws are clear of contradictions, are constitutional, and ensure all of our rights are upheld.”

“Repealing homophobic and transphobic language in state law helps to build a safer and more inclusive Commonwealth,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “In Massachusetts, we take pride in being a welcoming state, and our laws must reflect our values. The archaic and discriminatory language found in Chapter 272 of the General Laws dates back to 1887 and historically was deployed to criminalize LGBTQ+ people. By removing harmful, homophobic, and transphobic language from our statutes, we ensure the letter of the law promotes equity and justice for all.”

Many of the laws addressed have not been enforced for many years due to superseding state and national law, court rulings, and Massachusetts’ decades-long transformation into a Commonwealth that welcomes all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill’s passage comes nearly a year and a half after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, in which Associate Justice Clarence Thomas suggested, in a concurring opinion, that the Court could revisit case law banning the criminal prosecution of sodomy.

The bill won praise from LGBTQ+ advocates around the Commonwealth.

“We are relieved and excited to see this legislation pass,” said Tanya V. Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality. “The Commonwealth prides itself on being a progressive, inclusive state and in that spirit, having the outdated legislation outlawing sodomy and referring to adult sexual activities as ‘unnatural acts’ stricken from our books makes Massachusetts a safer, more inclusive place for all of our residents and visitors, especially those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.”

During the debate, the Senate adopted an amendment from Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) striking a law banning blasphemy. Today’s passage marks the second consecutive session in which the Senate has acted to modernize the Commonwealth’s laws to make them more inclusive.

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

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