Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Cannabis Policy, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 59) of Susan L. Moran for legislation to allow students access to prescription cannabis, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2634).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Cannabis Policy, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 51) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative to equal opportunity for craft cooperatives; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 55) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to equitable allocation of cannabis revenue; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 56) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to the reinvestment of revenues received from the cannabis industry; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 57) of Liz Miranda for legislation to encourage equitable cannabis business ownership; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 60) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to dedicate one-percent of the recreational marijuana excise to youth substance use prevention; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 61) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to medical marijuana oversight; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1282) of Cynthia Stone Creem (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the expenditure of $500,000 from town of Brookline marijuana mitigation stabilization fund for purpose of advancing racial equity in the town of Brookline, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2635).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Transportation, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2224) of Julian Cyr and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to improve RMV fee payment, equity, and road safety; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2225) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to Steamship Authority borrowing; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 2234) of Paul R. Feeney that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a task force relative to roadside litter prevention and cleanup; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2236) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to peer-to-peer car sharing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2247) of Patricia D. Jehlen and Joseph D. McKenna for legislation relative to the annual fee for veterans' license plates; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2306) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to Purple Heart registration plates, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2632).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Transportation, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2206) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to prohibit video recording or broadcasting while driving; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2244) of Anne M. Gobi for legislation relative to electric foot scooter operating requirements; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2269) of Paul W. Mark and Vanna Howard for legislation to establish fast, frequent, and reliable passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2644).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Financial Services, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 591) of Michael D. Brady for legislation relative to communications between health insurers and patients; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 592) of Jo Ann Spera for legislation to clarify Massachusetts health coverage for ex-spouses; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 595) of Joanne M. Comerford and Mindy Domb for legislation to strengthen the control of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 596) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to trans-inclusive health care access; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 597) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to special education health care costs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 604) of Brendan P. Crighton and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to ensure access to healthcare and medically necessary food for children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 611) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to reimbursement for recovery peer specialists; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 621) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to gender-affirming hair removal treatment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 623) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to strengthen the state credit union charter; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 625) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to out-of-pocket expenses for covid-19 therapeutics; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 633) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to provide for a medical exemption for manufacturer coupons; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 634) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to promote insurance rate review transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 639) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to motor vehicle service contracts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 643) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to require certain healthcare carriers to share accountability with providers for uncollectible patient obligations after insurance; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 644) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 647) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to preserving preventive services without cost sharing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 650) of Anne M. Gobi for legislation relative to notify broker prior to termination of coverage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 652) of Adam Gomez for legislation to authorize municipalities to deposit into credit unions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 653) of Adam Gomez, Christine P. Barber, Peter Capano and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 661) of John F. Keenan that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to encourage acceptance of insurance by outpatient mental health providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 671) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to increase health insurer reporting transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 675) (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Paul W. Mark, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford, John J. Cronin and other members of the General Court for legislation to create a climate bank in Massachusetts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 676) of Paul W. Mark, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure consumer cost protection under the dental medical loss ratio; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 677) of Paul W. Mark for legislation relative to prescription-drug utilization review; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 679) of Liz Miranda and Susannah M. Whipps for legislation relative to protecting reproductive destiny; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 681) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to combat COVID-19 vaccine price gouging; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 683) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to save lives by preventing unscrupulous medical referral restrictions by profit-driven health care networks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 684) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to enhance oral health through public health dental hygienists; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 685) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to the fiduciary responsibility of lenders for non-payment of insurance premiums from escrowed accounts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 687) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to small business health insurance incentives; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 690) of Susan L. Moran for legislation to protect consumers in cryptocurrency exchanges; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 697) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to dental insurance consumer protections; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 698) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to dental insurance assignment of benefits; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 702) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation relative to the homeowners' fire insurance policies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 703) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in auto insurance premium pricing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 705) of Mark Bell for legislation relative to moving violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 712) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to small group eligibility; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 713) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to health purchasing cooperatives; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 714) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to pharmaceutical "gag clauses"; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 721) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to unilateral contract changes, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2636).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1234) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide more focused care to individuals suffering from mental health and substance related disabilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1235) of Marie Winfield for legislation to protect public health, promote accountability and prevent the violation of individual rights through the misuse, abuse and the violation of law; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1241) of John J. Cronin for legislation to strengthen emergency restraint for persons suffering dangerous or violent mental illness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1245) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to study the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline, direct care nurses; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1250) of Adam Gomez for legislation to establish a commission to study substance use disorder and treatment disparities in the minority community; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1254) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to inform prescribers of non-opioid alternative care; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1256) of Edward J. Kennedy that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to ensure delivery of mental health services to adults with acute mental illness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1257) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to require insurance providers cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1258) of Robyn K. Kennedy, David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Jack Patrick Lewis, Erika Uyterhoeven and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide appropriate care for certain populations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1259) of Jason M. Lewis and Marian T. Ryan for legislation relative to the establishment of and payments into an opioid stewardship fund; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1260) of Liz Miranda for legislation to expand access to trauma informed care and mental health first aid training; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1262) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to recovery housing in environmental justice communities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1263) of Susan L. Moran for legislation to regulate the safe use of psilocybin; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1264) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a special commission to study the prevention of heroin trafficking; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1267) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to expand access to mental health services; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1270) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to protective custody; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1275) of John C. Velis for legislation establishing a commission to study the availability of a continuum of care for persons with substance use disorder; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1276) of John C. Velis for legislation to address mental health and substance use needs, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2642).
February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1149) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to collective bargaining right; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1150) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to state employment postings; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1151) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to municipal unemployment insurance reform; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1155) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to compliance with the fair minimum wage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1167) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation relative to the penalty for employers who knowingly falsify employment or citizenship documents; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1168) of Ryan C. Fattman for a legislation relative to a youth training wage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1169) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to protect Massachusetts workers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1173) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to further regulate Sunday overtime wages; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1176) of Paul R. Feeney, Adam Scanlon, Jack Patrick Lewis, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to occupational presumption regarding healthcare workers and COVID-19; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1178) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to provide hazard pay and protection for essential workers during a "State of Emergency" declaration; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1185) of Anne M. Gobi for legislation to prohibit disciplinary actions by employers on employees serving as volunteer emergency responders; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1199) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon for legislation for a Bridge Employment Training Program (BET); (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1203) of Paul W. Mark, Jack Patrick Lewis, Michael O. Moore, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a hospital and community health center worker minimum wage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1204) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to exempt ski volunteers from minimum wage; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1210) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation relative to a prevailing wage for trash and recycling collectors, moving contractors, and motor bus pupil transporters; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1211) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation relative to plant relocation and severance; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1214) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation to restore workers' rights; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1215) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation to promote pay transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1217) of Rebecca L. Rausch, James K. Hawkins, Marc R. Pacheco, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to uplift families and secure the right to strike for certain public employees; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1218) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation relative to non-compete agreements for veterinarians; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1222) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to provide a safe harbor for contractors of services; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1223) of Bruce E. Tarr and Adam Scanlon for legislation relative to the structure of the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1225) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to clarifying legislative intent regarding the non-competition law; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1226) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to unemployment insurance; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1227) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to establish the Workforce Recovery Commission; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1228) of Walter F. Timilty for legislation relative to consumers and workers; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2418) of Julian Cyr and Sarah K. Peake (by vote of the town) for legislation relative to the prevailing wage in the town of Wellfleet, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2633).
Senate, February 12, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 817) of Brendan P. Crighton, Joanne M. Comerford, Jacob R. Oliveira, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide access to higher education opportunities for high school graduates in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 824) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish a Master of Library Science assistance program; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 830) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to reform institutional eligibility requirements for state-based financial aid; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 833) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to require disclosure of conflicts of interests in academic institutions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 836) of Liz Miranda, Jack Patrick Lewis, Jacob R. Oliveira, James B. Eldridge and others for legislation to provide access to higher education opportunities for high school graduates in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 837) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to establish the Bridge the Gap Scholarship to universalize access to community colleges; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 839) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to assist low-income students success through work-study; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 840) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to utilize supplemental funding accessed through the Massachusetts State College Building Authority; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 842) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to create a scholarship fund to increase the number of medical providers who are knowledgeable in autism; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 846) of Marc R. Pacheco for legislation relative to UMass tuition credit; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 848) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to establish the Finish Line Scholarship Program, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2646).
Report of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office (pursuant to Section 99R of Chapter 272 of the General Laws) submitting its annual report of wiretap interceptions for the 2023 calendar year
Report of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (pursuant to Section 8(g) of Chapter 161B of the General Laws) submitting its audited financial statements and supplementary information for the year ended June 30, 2023 (received January 19, 2024)
Placed on file
Report of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (pursuant to Section 8(g) of Chapter 161B of the General Laws) submitting its audited financial statements and supplementary information for the year ended June 30, 2023 (received January 19, 2024)
