Category: Uncategorized

Happy August everyone, 

As we again begin to experience some hot days here in the Pioneer Valley, I would like to remind you all that my office is available to assist anyone who is in need of help finding a nearby cooling center. Please do not hesitate to call my office for assistance (413) 572 3920.  

I am thrilled to share with you all that just as the 193^rd formal legislative session came to a close this past Wednesday the legislature passed a comprehensive version of the HERO Act. The final legislation is a product of collaboration – taking the strongest elements from the Governor’s original bill, the House’s bill, and the Senate’s own diligent work to create a comprehensive package that will expand services and resources for veterans, active-duty service members, and military families throughout the Commonwealth. These measures include expanding the eligibility of Chapter 115 benefits, ensures that veterans can receive reimbursement through Chapter 115 benefits for behavioral health treatment, protects Veterans against predatory claim shark companies, and much more. Massachusetts has a long history of prioritizing the needs of our Veterans and Servicemembers and I am elated that the HERO Act is on its way to the Governor’s desk to continue this tradition. 

Amid the marathon of passing final legislation this week, my staff was able to join Westfield resident Agnes “Sis” Duquette for a celebration of her 100^th birthday on Tuesday over at Armbrook Village. During the birthday celebration, Team Velis presented Agnes with an official State Senate citation to recognize this remarkable milestone. Happy Birthday Agnes!  

This week my team hosted office hours at the Southampton COA on Wednesday.  Next week, we will be at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  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.   

Sincerely,   

John Velis 

Legislation expands harm reduction programs, sober home resources, access to naloxone

(BOSTON—7/30/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation expanding support for residents coping with substance use disorder to stem the toll of an opioid crisis that takes thousands of lives each year.

S.2898, An Act relative to accessing harm reduction initiatives, enables cities and towns to establish a wide range of measures proven to reduce the harms of drug use, including needle exchange programs and drug screenings. It makes strides in studying sober home oversight and resources to support those in recovery, and widely expands access to overdose reversal drugs like naloxone.

“The unfortunate truth is most people in our Commonwealth know someone who is struggling or has struggled with addiction, and it is absolutely heartbreaking how many loved ones we continue to lose to this disease,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “At the most fundamental level this bill is about keeping people alive until they are ready to begin recovery and supporting all those in their recovery journey. In addition to increasing access to overdose reversal tools like Narcan and expanding harm reduction programs throughout the Commonwealth, the legislation passed by the Senate today establishes a comprehensive licensure process for recovery coaches that will provide better oversight for the profession and expand access to these truly vital providers. I am incredibly grateful to the Senate President, Chair Rodrigues, and all of my Senate colleagues for their collective work on this legislation that will truly help save lives in Massachusetts and support individuals with substance use disorders throughout their recovery.”

“A single overdose in Massachusetts is one too many,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Opioids have stolen life from parents, children, siblings, and friends. The legislation approved by the Senate today makes powerful strides towards mitigating this crisis by helping those coping with substance use disorder reduce harm, find treatment, and achieve recovery that lasts a lifetime. I am grateful for the work of Chair Rodrigues, Senator Cyr, and Senator Velis, on this legislation that will save lives.”

“The substance abuse epidemic in Massachusetts has been going on for far too long now,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I’m pleased the Senate has addressed this issue head on. This comprehensive bill puts a strong focus on overdose prevention, harm reduction, and proven opioid recovery programs. The bill also wisely emphasizes the importance of structured peer support programs that provide ongoing mentorship and resources for lasting substance abuse recovery services. People afflicted by substance use disorders desperately need our help and this legislation will do just that, and more.”

The bill allows cities and towns to opt in to a number of new harm reduction programs. Those programs include:

· Needle exchange programs

· Primary care services, including disease prevention and health screenings

· Access to, or referrals for, evidence-based treatment options

· Drug testing services

· Overdose reversal care

To further support individuals in recovery, the Senate’s bill mandates DPH to conduct a study on sober homes in the Commonwealth, focusing on the safety and recovery of sober home residents. The study would examine and make recommendations for improving training for operators and staff, creating safe recovery environments, overseeing sober homes, and creating licensure programs for counselors and recovery coaches.

The bill creates licensure programs for alcohol and drug counselors and recovery coaches, which would be administered by DPH. Additionally, it requires the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services to study and report on barriers to certification, credentialing, and other employment and practice requirements for recovery coaches.

To increase and expand access to opioid reversal treatments like Narcan, the bill would:

· Require health insurance plans to cover opioid overdose reversal drugs without cost-sharing or prior authorization.

· Mandate pharmacies in areas with high incidences of overdose to maintain a continuous supply of opioid overdose reversal drugs and notify DPH if the supply is insufficient.

· Require substance use disorder treatment facilities to educate on and dispense at least two doses of opioid overdose reversal drugs to individuals upon discharge.

· Mandate hospitals to educate on and prescribe or dispense at least two doses of opioid overdose reversal drugs to individuals with a history of opioid use or opioid use disorder upon discharge.

A previous version of this bill having passed the House of Representatives, the two branches will now reconcile the differences between the bills, before sending a final version to the Governor’s desk.

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Legislation expands mental health, midwifery, doula offerings

(BOSTON—7/30/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to strengthen access to physical and mental health care for pregnant people and new parents in Massachusetts, an expansion of support systems that is intended to keep parents and newborns healthy as they are welcomed into the world.

S.2899, An Act relative to increasing access to perinatal health care, builds on and improves existing perinatal health resources across the Commonwealth, including mental health resources, midwifery, and doula services.

“Expecting a child is one of the most exciting and anxious experiences in someone’s lifetime,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “At that moment, no individual should bear the additional burden of not having access to the care they need to stay healthy, or worse, the care to ensure the health and wellbeing of their new child. The Senate’s actions today bring us one step closer to a Commonwealth that delivers care to all expecting individuals—a step that will allow more people to focus on excitement, rather than concern, when they are expecting. I am grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his work on this legislation, and Senators Friedman, Lovely, Miranda, Rausch, and Cyr for their leadership.”

“The Senate has made maternal health a priority for this session, and this legislation creates a pathway for bringing down maternal morbidity that predominantly affects women of color in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The bill increases access to freestanding birth centers, freeing up hospitals for higher risk individuals who need those critical care services. In addition, there is an increased awareness on postpartum depression by mandating primary care providers offer full screenings and evaluations. Alternate birthing services and certified midwife provider services now have full insurance coverage under this legislation.”

“Far too often, we see and hear stories that demonstrate how important it is that we act to reduce maternal health disparities and barriers to access safe and adequate maternal health care,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “While we still have a long way to go, this legislation makes important strides towards these efforts from the moment pregnancy starts through a year after birth, while increasing access to perinatal health care with reforms to midwifery licensure and birthing centers.”

“I would like to thank my colleagues for all their hard work to get this bill to the floor. Maternal health is not a privilege but a right for everyone regardless of economic status and access,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), Assistant Senate Majority Leader. “Our work on this doesn’t end today. We took this important step, now we as a Commonwealth must become a leader on robust maternal health options for everyone.”

“Today, the Senate passed the maternal health omnibus bill that directly elevates the voices of Black women and birthing people who served on the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health,” said Senator Liz Miranda (D-Roxbury), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion. “Racism, not race, is the primary driver of poor maternal health outcomes and once again, the Senate went further to align with diverse

communities and center Black women’s voices by establishing a universal postpartum home visiting program, and by codifying Medicaid coverage of doula care. Black and brown communities are experiencing a public health crisis of severe morbidity and mortality, and the Senate is responding with passing a bill that is carefully designed to reduce the stark racial inequities we experience in our communities. I am immensely proud that through the collective work of community, coalitions, and those who are working to create a safe and nurturing place where all birthing people feel empowered and protected.”

“This reproductive justice bill gives me immense pride, pleasure, and gratitude,” said Senator Rebecca L. Rausch (D-Needham), Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “In a single legislative package, we are squarely addressing our maternal health crisis, uplifting patient choice in maternal care, improving patient outcomes, reducing inequities in maternal health care, lowering costs, enhancing access to pediatric care, boosting post-pregnancy mental health care, and much more. Plus, we’re finally joining the more than three dozen other states that already license certified professional midwives. Today is a great day in Massachusetts, as we pass additional legislation to support people deciding for themselves whether, when, and how to parent.”

“Massachusetts has some of the best health outcomes in the country, but we have a glaring and persistent disparity in maternal health outcomes, especially when it comes to the experience of Black mothers,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. “The maternal health bill passed by the Senate will expand access to care for all mothers and ameliorate the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis here in Massachusetts. I am proud to stand behind so many brilliant women colleagues in advancing this vital legislation.”

In an effort to proactively address mental health needs, the legislation requires MassHealth and commercial insurance coverage for post-pregnancy depression screenings. It also mandates the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop and maintain a comprehensive digital resource center on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

It requires postnatal individuals receiving care from a postnatal professional to be offered a screening for post-pregnancy depression. Pediatricians will also offer screenings to postnatal individuals during infant wellness visits.

The bill allows earned sick time to be used for pregnancy loss, failed assisted-reproduction, adoption, or surrogacy. Further, it establishes a grant program to award funds to community-based organizations to address mental health conditions and substance use disorders for medically underserved perinatal individuals.

To improve access to midwifery care, the bill creates a licensure program for professional midwives to be certified by DPH. Licensed certified professional midwives will be authorized to dispense certain medications and administer necessary controlled substances under a statewide standing order to be issued by DPH. Additionally, the legislation mandates insurance coverage for services provided by certified nurse-midwives, making midwifery care more accessible and affordable.

The bill requires MassHealth to cover doula services for pregnant individuals, postpartum individuals up to 12 months following the end of pregnancy, and adoptive parents of infants until the infants reach one year of age. This provision recognizes the vital role that doulas play in supporting perinatal health and ensures that more families can benefit from their care.

Further notable provisions of the legislation include:

· Requiring DPH to create regulations for the operation and maintenance of birth centers licensed as freestanding birth centers.

· Codifying and expanding access to the DPH universal postpartum home visiting program.

· Prohibiting the administration of ultrasound services unless supervised by a licensed healthcare professional providing medical care for pregnant individuals.

· Changing the frequency of covered pediatrician wellness visits from annually to once per calendar year.

A previous version of this bill having passed the House of Representatives, the two branches will now reconcile the differences between the bills, before sending a version to the Governor’s desk.

Bill enhances oversight, requires outbreak planning, and creates an LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights

(BOSTON—7/25/2024) The Massachusetts Senate today approved sweeping reforms to the Commonwealth’s long term care and assisted living sectors, taking a powerful step towards delivering the high quality and safe care that Massachusetts seniors deserve. S.2889, An Act relative to long term care and assisted living, substantially strengthens oversight and enforcement while also requiring facilities to create outbreak plans should a health issue arise.

The bill also creates an LGBTQ+ bill of rights for aging residents to prohibit discrimination based on their LGBTQ+ identity or HIV status. After robust debate, the bill passed 39-0.

“Today the Senate took an important step forward to ensure that our aging residents have safe, equitable, and high-quality care,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is far too common—and unacceptable—for residents in assisted living facilities to receive subpar care. By boosting transparency and accountability, the Senate is continuing to create a compassionate Commonwealth where all residents can age with dignity. I am grateful to Senator Jehlen for her leadership on this legislation, Chair Rodrigues, and each of my colleagues for their support of our state’s residents.”

“Long term care reform was a long-standing priority for the Senate this session, and I’m glad we were able to get it done,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This comprehensive package passed by the Senate today addresses many of the inequities that are prevalent in the long term care sector. With this legislation, we will now have a much stronger licensure process and stricter oversight on non-performing entities. We also make permanent basic health services at assisted living facilities. This reform bill will bring much needed stability into long term care and assisted living facilities across the Commonwealth.”

“I am grateful to all those—Senate leaders, legislators, and so many advocates and industry representatives—who have worked for many years to pass this bill that will improve care and stability in nursing homes and assisted living residences,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs. “The pandemic revealed starkly the lack of nursing home preparedness for the spread of fatal diseases. Many of us knew someone or relatives of someone who passed during that disaster. Even homes with consistently high ratings lost many residents. This bill offers measures to address issues in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community when looking for care; bariatric care; and pooled trusts. It also ensures facilities that are not compliant with safe

standards face consequences and are held responsible. I am grateful for the work of the Senate President, the Chair of Senate Ways and Means, my staff, and the many advocates that we have worked with and heard from over the years.”

The bill includes provisions related to basic health services administered in assisted living facilities and oversight of long term care facilities, including the following.

Assisted Living Basic Health Services. The bill makes it easier for residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities to get timely and efficient care by allowing Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) to offer basic health services such as helping a resident administer drops, manage their oxygen, or take a home diagnostic test. The legislation requires ALRs create service plans that demonstrate the residence has the necessary procedures in place, such as staff training and policies, to ensure safe and effective delivery of basic health services.

The legislation enhances oversight and compliance of ALRs by lowering the threshold for ownership interest disclosure from 25 per cent to five per cent. Under the new law, applicants are required to demonstrate that any prior multifamily housing, ALR, or health care facilities in which they had an interest met all the licensure or certification criteria. If any of these facilities were subject to enforcement action, the applicant must provide evidence that they corrected these deficiencies without revocation of licensure or certification.

This bill also gives the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) new powers to penalize non-compliance by allowing them to fine ALRs up to $500 per day. This is in addition to existing EOEA powers to modify, suspend, or revoke a certification, or deny a recertification. Finally, it adds whistleblower protections for staff and residents who report anything happening at an ALR that they reasonably believe is a threat to the health or safety of staff or residents.

Long Term Care Facilities. The bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to inspect each long term care facility every nine to 15 months to assess quality of services and compliance. It also requires DPH to review the civil litigation history, in addition to the criminal history, of the long term care facility applicants, including any litigation related to quality of care, patient safety, labor issues, or deceptive business practices.

S.2889 requires DPH to review the financial capacity of an applicant and its history in providing long term care in Massachusetts and other states. It requires applicants to notify DPH if it is undergoing financial distress, such as filing for bankruptcy, defaulting on a lending agreement, or undergoing receivership.

It allows DPH to limit, restrict, or revoke a long term care facility license for cause, such as substantial or sustained failure to provide adequate care, substantial or sustained failure to comply with laws or regulations, or lack of financial capacity to operate a facility. It also gives DPH the power to appoint a temporary manager if a long term care facility owner fails to maintain substantial or sustained compliance with laws and regulations. This manager would be brought on for at least three months, at the facility owner’s expense, to bring the facility into compliance.

The bill requires long term care facilities to submit outbreak response plans to DPH with clear protocols for the isolation of residents, lab testing, visitor screening, preventing spread from staff, and the notification of residents, family, and staff in the event of a contagious disease outbreak.

The bill prohibits long term care facilities from discriminating against residents based on LGBTQ+ identity or HIV status, whether through the denial of admission, medical or non-medical care, access to restrooms, or through room assignments. It also requires staff training on preserving LGBTQ+ rights and care.

Versions of the bill having passed both chambers of the Legislature, the two branches will now reconcile their differences before sending a bill to the Governor’s desk.

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Bill boosts salary transparency, tackles unfair compensation for women and people of color 

(BOSTON—7/24/2024) Today the Massachusetts Legislature took a powerful step towards closing the gender and racial wage gap in the Commonwealth by passing An Act relative to salary range transparency. The legislation requires employers with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a position and protects an employee’s right to ask their employer for the salary range for their position when applying for a job or seeking a promotion. 

When signed into law H.4890 would make Massachusetts the eleventh state to mandate pay transparency by requiring employers to disclose salary ranges, according to the National Women’s Law Center. H.4890 builds on the Legislature’s 2016 passage of the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, which prohibited wage discrimination based on gender and brought long-sought fairness and equality to workplaces in the state. 

“With the passage of this legislation, Massachusetts is now one step closer to ensuring equal pay for equal work,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Pay transparency will not only make our workplaces more equitable, it will also make Massachusetts more competitive with other states. I’d like to thank Leader Gregoire and the members of the conference committee, as well as all my colleagues in the House, Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for their important work on this legislation.” 

“This is simple: everyone deserves equal pay for equal work, regardless of your gender, race, ethnicity, or background,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is far too common for women and people of color to be paid less than their coworkers nationwide, and Massachusetts is not immune. By passing this bill, the Legislature stands united behind every worker—and with every business—in our steadfast commitment to the fundamental principle that every person has the right to be treated and compensated fairly in the workplace. I’m thankful to Senator Jehlen for her work on the conference committee, each of the conferees, Speaker Mariano, and our partners in the House for their work on this critical legislation.” 

“With the passage of this conference report we are doubling down on our commitment to wage equity in the Commonwealth, ensuring a level playing field and competitive salaries for employees,” said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), First Division Chair and House Chair of the Conference Committee. “As a late addition to this conference committee due to the result of the departure of Chairman Cutler, I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this bill reaches the Governor’s desk prior to the end of the legislative session.” 

“The 2016 Equal Pay Act was a huge step forward in closing pay gaps and it worked. One study from 2020 showed salary history bans alone increased pay by as much as 5% increase for all job changers, an 8% increase for women and a 13% increase for Black workers,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville), Senate Chair of the Conference Committee. “This bill takes the next steps in providing more information for job seekers and ensuring that women and people of color enter wage negotiations with more information at their fingertips to secure better offers. With the data collected we’ll learn about inequities that persist and be able to identify ways to solve them. I’m grateful this was a priority of both the House and the Senate and for the work of my colleagues and look forward to this bill being signed by Governor Healey.”  

The bill requires employers with more than 100 employees to share their federal wage and workforce data reports with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), which would then be responsible for compiling and publishing aggregated wage and workforce date to help identify gender and racial wage gaps by industry. 

In Greater Boston, the 2023 gender wage gap was 21 cents, according to the Boston Women’s Workforce Council. This gap becomes more pronounced when comparing white men and women of color, where Black/African American women face a 54-cent wage gap, Hispanic/Latina women face a 52-cent wage gap, and Asian women face a 19-cent wage gap. 

“True progress towards justice and equality demands that we not only acknowledge the critical importance of wage equity, particularly for women and people of color, but actively strive to achieve it,” said Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley (D-Mattapan), House Conferee and sponsor of the bill. “By achieving wage equity, we empower individuals and strengthen our communities, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to a more equitable future.” 

“I am proud of this Conference Committee for working collaboratively, productively, and diligently to reach a final agreement on the historic and nation-leading wage equity legislation we enacted today,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), Senate Conferee and sponsor of wage transparency legislation that was folded into the underlying bill. “Wage and income inequality continues to exacerbate an uneven economy for working people, especially women and people of color. By instituting salary range transparency in job descriptions and collecting aggregate demographic data to track wages across industries, we can empower workers and begin to close the gender and racial wage gap that persists across our economy and erodes the integrity of work. I thank the coalition of labor, community, and business leaders, under the guidance and unwavering persistence of former Lt. Governor Evelyn Murphy, for working together to refine this legislation and ensure that Massachusetts will continue to attract and retain the skilled and diverse workforce that keeps our economy humming and our Commonwealth thriving.” 

“This legislation is an important step to eliminate gender and racial wage gaps,” said Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), a House Conferee. “Providing information on the salary range for a position will help women and people of color negotiate for better pay, and as the House Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, I am excited that one of the Caucus’ priority bills is closer to becoming law. I thank House and Senate leadership, and my fellow conferees, for their work to advance this legislation.” 

“I am supportive, as always, of legislation which promotes equity and fairness within our Commonwealth. This Act provides the language which entitles the Massachusetts workforce to access imperative information regarding salary ranges, fostering a job market which is not only more transparent, but more inclusive” said Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (R-Weymouth), a Senate Conferee. “In requiring employers to disclose pay ranges, alongside making aggregate wage data information public, this is an important step forward in closing the wage gap. I am looking forward to continuing to work to advance important reforms in pay equity. Ensuring equal opportunity for all Massachusetts workers is beneficial not just to those employees of the state, but to our overall economy.” 

Having passed both chambers, the bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for her signature. 

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Legislation authorizes $1.26B in bonds, allocates $400M in federal funds

(BOSTON—7/24/2024) Today the Massachusetts Legislature enacted the FutureTech Act, taking action on a $1.26 billion bond authorization to modernize the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure and create safer and more accessible experiences for residents and employees alike.

Funding and projects included in H.4889, An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts, would allow state agencies to deliver services more efficiently to residents, enhance cybersecurity on statewide platforms, and broaden access to services used by hundreds of thousands of residents statewide. The bill would also invest in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and create a fund to secure anticipated federal funding to bolster health and human services-related projects.

“Today the Legislature is investing in a safer, more efficient, and modernized digital experience for residents and state employees alike,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our technology infrastructure is a lynchpin for nearly every service and resource our state delivers, and enhancing it is a fundamental step toward increasing access and creating systems that work for everyone. I’m grateful to Senator Comerford for her leadership on the conference committee, as well as the conferees, Speaker Mariano, and our colleagues in the House, and I look forward to the Governor signing this important bill into law.”

“Ensuring that the Commonwealth is investing heavily in our technology infrastructure is critical, as protecting against cybersecurity threats, and enabling state agencies to operate with an increased level of efficiency, are vital aspects of our effort to make Massachusetts more safe, effective, and prepared in a world dominated by increasingly sophisticated technologies,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for filing this legislation, as well as Chairman Finn and each member of the conference committee for their critical input, and for guiding this bill through the legislative process. I am grateful to all of my colleagues in the House, and to Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the importance of this bill, and for voting to send it to the Governor’s desk for her signature.”

“The FutureTech Act will help position Massachusetts as a leader in current and emergent technologies,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Conference Committee. “This legislation will modernize the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure with an eye toward accessibility, equity, and emerging technologies. I am grateful for the partnership of House chair Michael Finn and the Senate conferees, Senator Ed Kennedy and Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, for their work to achieve a strong bill. I am also thankful to Senate President Karen Spilka for the opportunity to chair this conference committee on behalf of the Senate.”

“The passage of the FutureTech Act of 2024 signifies Massachusetts’ commitment to modernizing our information technology infrastructure, enhancing our cybersecurity efforts, and ensuring a brighter, more interconnected future for our residents,” said Representative Michael J. Finn (D-Springfield), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets and House Chair of the Conference Committee.

“This important legislation takes major steps towards improving the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure,” said Senator Edward J. Kennedy (D-Lowell), a member of the conference committee. “Because of these investments, the residents of Massachusetts will benefit from a safe and modern informational technology environment in all state agencies. I’m grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and my colleagues on the conference committee for their collaboration in developing a final version of this legislation.”

“The FutureTech Bond Bill is a forward-looking bill that ensures that the Commonwealth’s technology infrastructure is up to date and secure. These investments in innovative technologies will improve the efficiency of state government and benefit everyone in Massachusetts,” said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), First Division Chair and a member of the conference committee.

“Information technology is essential to the operations of our state, and it must be efficient, secure, and as user friendly as possible,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), a member of the conference committee. “The investments and policy measures in this bill will contribute to the advancement of those goals.”

“I am immensely proud of the dedication and effort demonstrated by the conference committee to bring this report to fruition,” said Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham), a member of the conference committee. “This achievement stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. By working together, we have shown our shared commitment to serving the best interests of the Commonwealth.”

The FutureTech Act lays a foundation for technology innovation in the Commonwealth by implementing transformative projects like the Business Enterprise Systems Transformation (BEST) and the Commonwealth Digital Roadmap, both of which would be targeted at streamlining state operations and making essential government services quicker and more efficient.

It would support a new project to consolidate and modernize the Division of Occupational Licensing’s (DOL) licensing database, which currently relies on outdated infrastructure, paper files, and manual data entry. Once full implemented, new systems will accelerate licensing and renewals.

The bill also includes authorizations to continue investments for the Employment Modernization Transformation (EMT) rollout, which will provide employers and those seeking unemployment insurance with a new portal to manage unemployment insurance claims. With phase one already rolled out, future improvements will include easier uploads, a mobile-friendly design, and enhanced accessibility features.

The FutureTech Act builds on Massachusetts’ longstanding leadership in emerging technology by allocating funds for future AI projects and supporting initiatives like the Municipal Fiber Grant Program, which boosts innovation and extends efficiencies to cities and towns.

Having passed both branches of the Legislature, the legislation will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.

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Bill ensures firefighters, police officers, and EMTs receive pay after injury from violent acts

(BOSTON—7/24/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to ensure that first responders who are permanently injured by violent acts in the line of duty receive their full regular compensation until they reach retirement age. S.2887, An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes, enshrines into law financial security for first responders and their families after a critical or life-threatening injury occurs while serving their state, county, city, or town.

“Every day when our first responders leave for work, they do so not knowing what the day will bring,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today, the Senate has acted to ensure that these first responders and their families have financial security if the unthinkable does happen before they return home. I’m grateful to Senator Friedman for her leadership on this legislation, Chair Rodrigues, and all of my colleagues for their support.”

“I’m pleased that the Senate has closed this loophole in the Commonwealth’s retirement system by installing full accidental disability retirement benefits for injuries sustained by violence upon a first responder,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Our brave first responders deserve this protection, as they put their lives on the line every day and are often subject to violent attacks while performing their jobs. Any member who sustains permanent bodily injury should not have their retirement compensation penalized if they are a victim of a violent attack.”

“The push for authorizing full disability pensions for first responders violently injured on duty dates back to my time working with and for my predecessor, Senator Ken Donnelly,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “As a former firefighter, there was no bigger advocate of honoring the service and sacrifice of Massachusetts’ first responders than Ken, and I am honored to have been able to play a role in getting this bill through the Senate, further cementing Ken’s incredible legacy. This legislation will change the lives of first responders and their families in the Commonwealth who have had to suffer through tremendous hardship.”

The legislation authorizes any employee considered a member-in-service of a retirement board to be eligible for accidental disability retirement if they sustain a catastrophic, life-threatening, or life-altering and permanent bodily injury, and are no longer able to perform their duties. Retirement boards would review evidence deemed appropriate, such as a medical panel finding that the member is physically unable to perform the essential duties of their job due to a violent act injury, and that this inability is likely to be permanent.

The bill also requires that following any incident involving exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, a member must receive notice of critical incident stress management debriefing programs. This provision ensures that first responders have access to the mental health support they need after traumatic events.

Having previously been passed by the House, the bill will need one more enacting vote in each branch before being sent to the Governor for her consideration.

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