State Road Money Rolls to Cities and Towns

Today, cities and towns across the Commonwealth received the Governor’s support with the signing of a bill to finance municipal road and bridge improvements. The Senate and House sent a bill to the Governor Baker which provides $200 million in support for construction of road-related local priorities. 

We have structured this bill to guarantee access to funding for each community in the state; Senator Tarr was happy to offer his support of this legislation- the Chapter 90 bill, during the Senate debate. Empowering local leaders to have the authority set priorities for their own communities in road projects is achieved in the new law. 

In Cod We Trust

Today, the Senate met for the first time in a new temporary space while the Senate Chamber undergoes major renovations expected to finish in more than a year. Tradition holds that we should not meet without the presence of a cod – today we took action and upheld that custom as we began a new session in Gardner Auditorium.

Senator Tarr has been exploring the possibility of moving the brass cod that hangs above the chandelier once the chamber remodeling begins. Until that occurs we were facing a cod deficit until Senator Joan Lovely of Salem offered Senator Tarr a cod worthy of the cause, and he placed it in a suitable [lace above the Senate’s temporary rostrum.

Chief Court Officer Paul Dooley will keep the cod safe under lock and key while the Senate is out of session.

The first significant industry in the early history of Massachusetts was fishing the Atlantic. Gloucester is the oldest fishing port in America and our state continues to have a strong connection with the sea.

The importance of maritime commerce was so significant that the Senate Chamber of the State House, where the House of Representatives met from 1798 to 1895, was always adorned with a five foot long carved wooden codfish – “the sacred cod”. When the House moved to a new chamber, the Senate took up the space and added its own fish often referred to as “the holy mackerel” – though it is in fact a cod.

More than a century before the founding of our nation Massachusetts citizens sent representatives to what was then, and now, called the General Court. Established in 1630 under the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the General Court is now in its 190th two year session. God save the cod.

Senate Republican Caucus Offers Crime Lab Audit Law

Boston-  Senate Republicans today announced a bill to detect and prevent the mishandling of forensic evidence in the state’s crime laboratory.  The bill, written in the wake of more than 21,000 dismissed drug convictions connected to former state chemist Annie Dookhan, will safeguard the accuracy and integrity of lab procedures and results.

“The justice system was compromised because a so-called scientist with falsified credentials lied about her work for years.  We all want to make certain that those responsible for maintaining the integrity of criminal evidence have proper oversight,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R– Gloucester).  “Accountability and accuracy are essential in every aspect of government and we know that many people were falsely convicted of crimes and others who may have been guilty were let free.  We aim to empower state officials with the authority to conduct audits and reviews of the crime lab so that this doesn’t happen again.”

The state’s Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that cases tainted by Dookhan would be dismissed or re-prosecuted.   The discredited chemist falsified her academic credentials and admitted in court to intentionally contaminating evidence in an effort to rack up higher lab results, she was convicted of 27 charges in 2013 including for perjury, obstruction of justice, and altering evidence.

The court’s action would require prosecutors to show that they could secure convictions in retrials without using evidence handled or contaminated by Dookhan.  The court’s action comes too late for some who were sentenced because they have already served out their prison terms.

“Annie Dookhan’s mishandling of criminal lab evidence was a travesty.  Investigations into her actions and her conviction brought to light serious gaps in the management and oversight within the crime lab,” said Senator Ross (R-Wrentham), ranking Republican member of the Judiciary Committee. “A thoroughly conducted triennial review of procedures used in crime labs is necessary to take preventative measures against misconduct and abuse of the justice system.”

A 15-month investigation by Inspector General Glenn Gunha which concluded in a 2014 report found that lax lab management failed to detect the actions of Dookan.  The report identified important reforms which have been undertaken such as requiring crime lab facilities to meet national accreditation standards.

“Since the issues of evidence tainting have been identified, the State Police have assumed control of the labs and they have worked effectively to reform the way the labs operate,” said Tarr.  “The work of they are doing is commendable, and it needs to be supported with every tool available. Audits have been proven to be effective tools, and we should make sure they are done regularly because the consequences of evidence tainting are just too negative for the integrity of our criminal justice system.”

Sponsors of the bill propose requiring the Executive Office of Public Safety’s Forensic Sciences Advisory Board to initiate a comprehensive audit of all laboratories providing forensic service for the state by September 1^st of this year.  The state Inspector General, in collaboration with the state Auditor, would be directed to initiate such an audit to ensure the accuracy and integrity of lab work every three years.

The Forensic Sciences Advisory Board is comprised of representatives from the District Attorneys Association, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Commissioner of Public Health, the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists, members of bar associations, and others with expertise in forensic and biological sciences.

Senators expect the bill to gain bipartisan and bicameral support as it moves through the legislative process.

Senate Republican Caucus Acts to Protect Privacy of Internet Users

Boston-  In the wake of recent federal legislative changes allowing internet service providers to use or sell browsing history and other information collected from their customers, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and the Senate Republican Caucus are filing legislation to prevent that from happening without the customer’s consent. The bill is titled, “An Act Ensuring Internet Security and Privacy”.

On April 3, 2017, federal legislation known as “S.J. Res. 34-A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rules submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services,” became law, and as a result, regulations that had been developed by the Federal Communications Commission during the Obama Administration were prevented from going into effect. Those regulations would have prevented internet service providers such as AT&T and Comcast from collecting and selling customer information without permission. Consequently, such practices are permissible and unregulated.

“The federal government has created a situation that threatens consumer privacy, and it needs to be addressed,” said Tarr. He added that, “a customer of any of these providers should have control of their personal information, and shouldn’t have to pay for that control.”

“Consumer privacy is an issue that is on the minds of many of my constituents, and it is my hope that this legislation will address their serious concerns,” said Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham).

“As the reliance on web-based technology continues to extend into our day-to-day lives, preserving consumer privacy is vital,” said Senator Don Humason (R–Westfield). “This bill would provide Massachusetts residents with a protection against the sale of their personal information.”

“This bill is an important step in re-claiming the privacy rights of our constituents,” said Senator Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to safeguard our constituents and their privacy.”

“It is important we protect consumer’s privacy, and to ensure their information is not being sold to the highest bidder without their knowledge,” said Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Webster).

“This recent act of congress infringes on our basic rights to privacy, and in an age of increasing dependency on internet trade, consumers’ rights must be protected,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “This bill will act as a safeguard for Massachusetts residents and their personal information.” 

The new bill, if enacted into law, would specifically prohibit the collection and dissemination of a consumer’s personal information without the written consent of the consumer. It would also prohibit any charge from being imposed on a consumer that did not provide such consent.

The bill has been filed and being offered for co-sponsorship to all members of the House and Senate.

A copy of the text of the bill can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2053

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Senator Bruce Tarr’s Statement on Governor Baker signing Bill to Preserve Rape and Sexual Assault Evidence Kits

Boston- Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today after Governor Charlie Baker signed H. 4364, “An Act relative to the preservation of evidence for victims of rape and sexual assault,” into law. Tarr worked with Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), to amend the bill to require that all presently held physical evidence of rape and sexual assault is held for the entire duration of the statute of limitations, and to cause a plan to be developed for the state to store all such evidence in a central facility:

The signing of H.4364 today by Governor Baker is an important step in strengthening our criminal justice system. The power of DNA and other physical evidence is indisputable, and it should be preserved and protected so that it is available when justice demands it. Now the prosecution of these crimes can be driven by what is in the best interests of fairness and justice, and not arbitrary timelines or the chance evidence could be lost forever.

Through the passage of this law victims can focus on recovery and not continuing requests for the preservation of evidence every six months. Now action to prosecute can be taken when they are ready to deal with the judicial system, knowing that evidence hasn’t been lost or destroyed.

Now, too, our state can begin the process of developing a centralized system with the capacity to preserve all of the evidence in a safe and secure manner, eliminating any issues around preservation or the chain of custody.

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SENATOR HUMASON ANNOUNCES LEGISLATURE’S FINALIZED FY17 BUDGET

BOSTON – State Senator Don Humason announced today that the Senate and the House of Representatives have approved a finalized version of the Fiscal Year 2017 budget, which includes a number of the Senator’s priorities.

 

“It’s no secret that we’re in the midst of a difficult fiscal climate, but I am happy we are able to deliver an on-time budget that supports critical programs and services that our cities and towns rely on,” said Senator Don Humason. “I’m very appreciative that so many of my priorities were included in the Committee’s finalized proposal, and I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their collegiality and partnership throughout the process.”

 

During the Conference Committee’s deliberation, Senator Humason successfully advocated for the following local priorities, which were included in the final version of the budget:

 

• $150,000 for upgrades and repairs to Agawam Public Schools
• $50,000 for a one-stop service center for military and veteran students and their families at Westfield State University
• $15,000 for war memorial maintenance, renovations, and enhancements in Agawam, Southwick, and Easthampton
• $25,000 for safety improvements and restoration of the Westfield Athenaeum
• $50,000 to promote the Westfield International Air Show at the Westfield-Barnes Airport
• $50,000 for preparations in advance of the 350^th Anniversary of the City of Westfield
• $25,000 to support community policing efforts in the City of Holyoke
• $10,000 to offset the cost of purchasing Narcan for the Holyoke Fire Department
• $54,000 to support local violence prevention programs for the South Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative
• $100,000 to support Holyoke Community College’s Dual Enrollment Program for area high school students

 

The Committee also included a two policy-focused amendment filed by the Senator during the Senate budget. The first requires E-ZPass Transponders to be made available at all full services Registry of Motor Vehicle locations, expanding access to the devices in light of the coming transition to All-Electronic Tolling on the Turnpike.

 

The second policy priority seeks to ease elevator inspections on small elevators and chairlifts, often used infrequently in churches, clubs, and non-profits. The policy seeks to balance public safety assurances with cost savings from unnecessary inspection fees for these organizations.

 

Senator Humason also noted that statewide programs and services he is also supportive of were also included in the budget, such as:

 

• Providing $17.7 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
• $14.3 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council
• Providing $61 million for Regional School Transportation Reimbursements
• Requiring long-term insurance coverage for Lyme Disease
• $1 million for the Substance Abuse Trust Fund
• Extending protections to municipal retirees from increased out-of-pocket healthcare costs

 

“I know well that the residents and local officials in the cities and towns I represent are best equipped to tackle obstacles and meet the needs of their communities when they have adequate resources,” said Senator Humason. “I was very happy to advocate for these items in the budget because they represent direct support to the residents in my district and the municipalities they live in.”

 

Without increasing taxes, the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget funds local aid for cities and towns at $1.02 billion, a 3% increase over Fiscal Year 2016 spending. Chapter 70 education funding received a $116 million increase benefitting every school district and bringing the total to $4.63 billion. The budget also increases funding for Councils on Aging to $14.8 million and fully funds the Special Education Circuit Breaker.

 

The six-member Conference Committee tasked with reconciling the House and Senate versions of the budget released their recommendations on Wednesday, and received final approval from both branches on Thursday.

 

With approval from both branches, the budget now heads to Governor Baker for his consideration. The Governor has the ability to veto provisions within the proposal, while the Legislature would then require a vote of 2/3 of the members in each branch to override any of the Governor’s vetoes.

Senator Humason represents the 2^nd Hampden and Hampshire District, which consists of the cities of Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Westfield, and parts of the city of Chicopee; and the towns of Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick and Tolland. 

 

The Senator maintains a district office for the convenience of his constituents and encourages them to contact him at his district office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield, Massachusetts 01085, (413) 568-1366; or his Boston office, State House, Room 313A, Boston, Massachusetts 02133, (617) 722-1415.  His email address is Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov . 

 

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Southbridge Awarded Block Grant

Southbridge--- Sen. Ryan C. Fattman (R-Webster) and Rep. Peter Durant (R-Charlton) announced today that a grant of $825,000 was awarded to the town of Southbridge through the Community Development Block Grant.

 

The Community Development Block Grant gives communities across the Commonwealth funding to pursue community development projects and support the needs of low and moderate income residents.

 

“The Community Block Grant is a very strong grant for the town of Southbridge to receive. The grant itself will allow Southbridge to finalize and complete necessary town projects and will allow the town to continue with their growth”, said Senator Fattman. “ I look forward to working with the town officials and seeing the plans come to fruition.”

 

“This is a wonderful grant for the town of Southbridge. The grant will allow for the continued development and growth and will bring funds to close necessary projects within the town”, said Representative Durant.

 

 

The Community Development Block Grant Program is a federally funded grant program was created to assist small towns and cities to meet a broad range of local community development needs.

 

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SENATOR FATTMAN ANNOUNCES BIRTH OF DAUGHTER

Senate Fattman’s Wife Delivers Healthy, Happy Baby Girl

 

BOSTON--- Senator Ryan C. Fattman (R-Webster) and wife Stephanie are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Hadley Rae Fattman.

Hadley Rae was born on Friday, June 17^th at 5:11AM at a weight and height of 7.3lbs and 20 inches.

The family is happy to report that there were no complications with the child birth, and both mother and daughter are happy and healthy.

The Senator and his wife are thrilled and look forward to spending some time with their newborn girl.

If you would like to send the senator a personal congratulatory note, please send them to Benjamin.mitchell@masenate.gov, and they will be forwarded to the senator, his wife and his daughter.

 

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HUMASON HONORED FOR WORK ON PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

WESTFIELD – State Senator Don Humason recently received a Massachusetts Public Service Award from Common Cause, a leading advocacy group for transparency and openness in government, for his work on recently passed legislation that updates the state’s public records law.

 

“I appreciate this award from Common Cause in recognition of the hard work that I had the honor of sharing in with my fellow conferees,” said Senator Don Humason. “At the end of the day, our work resulted in a sensible, balanced update to an outdated law that was over forty years old.”

 

Humason was one of three Senators appointed to the Conference Committee that was tasked with crafting final legislation based on differing version of the bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Governor signed the Committee’s bill into law on June 6, 2016.

 

"We were delighted to honor Senator Humason and the other conferees for their terrific work on the public records bill. Senator Humason was an advocate for transparency from the start and was a pleasure to work with as part of the conference committee. Kudos to him and to the other conference committee members who made such a great bill possible," said Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause.

 

Senator Humason received the award at Common Cause’s annual event, entitled Building a More Perfect Democracy. Senators Lovely and Lewis, who rounded out the Senate’s Conferees, also accepted awards at the event. Additional recipients at this year’s event included economist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, former Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission Peter Sturges, and Janis McQuarrie, a citizen activist and long-time member of Common Cause. Former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis also spoke during the event.

 

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

 

Senator Humason represents the 2^nd Hampden and Hampshire District, which consists of the cities of Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Westfield, and parts of the city of Chicopee; and the towns of Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southampton, Southwick and Tolland. 

 

The Senator maintains a district office for the convenience of his constituents and encourages them to contact him at his district office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield, Massachusetts 01085, (413) 568-1366; or his Boston office, State House, Room 313A, Boston, Massachusetts 02133, (617) 722-1415.  His email address is Donald.Humason@MASenate.gov.

 

                Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause, and State Senator Don Humason

LOCAL WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS SENATORS ADVOCATE FOR HOLYOKE SOLDIERS’ HOME

BOSTON – During debate of The Veterans HOME Act, a bill focused on offering expanded benefits and services for veterans, the State Senate adopted an amendment this afternoon that aims to retain local control of the Holyoke Soldier’s Home.


The amendment, filed by Senator Don Humason and cosponsored by Senators James Welch and Eric Lesser, specifically strikes language that would have granted principal oversight authority to a new office that the bill would create within the Department of Veterans’ Services.


“There is a real sense of pride and ownership when it comes to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, both on campus and in the surrounding communities,” said Senator Don Humason. “So it was important that we did all we could to preserve local autonomy and ensure people with strong ties to the Soldiers’ Home and Western Massachusetts are able to play a lead role in its day-to-day operations and future.”


“The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke provides outstanding care for veterans in our region,” said Senator James T. Welch (D–West Springfield). “The amendment that passed today will allow the Home to continue its excellent work, maintaining local control of a unique western Massachusetts institution.”


“This is a phenomenal bill for veterans, and what we seek in this amendment is to protect local control at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Many of our veterans in Western Massachusetts are isolated from other veterans’ services, which are concentrated in the eastern part of the state,” Senator Lesser (D–Longmeadow) said on the Senate floor.


Additionally, the Senators’ successful amendment includes language that explicitly states that the Superintendent and the Board of Trustees shall not be subject to the control of the proposed Office of Veterans’ Homes and Housing.


The Holyoke Soldier’s Home is a multifaceted state-funded health care facility that has been serving eligible veterans in Western Massachusetts since its establishment in 1952. The Soldier’s Home provides an array of services to over 2,000 veterans each year.


The bill, S. 2523 An Act relative to housing, operations, military service, and enrichment, also includes provisions that will:

• Grant veterans preference in admission for scattered site housing units where no low-income family housing was developed, as well as admission to housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities in all communities;
• Require housing authorities to exclude amounts of disability compensation paid by the federal government for the purpose of computing rent of a disabled veteran;
• Provide a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of any soldier, sailor, and member of the National Guard or veteran who, during active duty service, suffered an injury or illness which was the proximate cause of death;
• Provide veterans who have a 100% disability rating for service connected blindness a property tax exemption;
• The expansion of the Public Service Scholarship to children of any military or service person missing in action and children of prisoners of war;
• Allows employees of the Commonwealth who are members of the armed forces reserves and are ordered to service for more than 30 consecutive to be paid the regular base salary reduced by the amount received as base pay for military service.  It also preserves the seniority or accrued leave time;
• Allows cities and towns to appoint a veterans agent for 3 year terms instead of the current 1 year term;
• Establishes the Office of Veterans Homes and Housing within the Department of Veterans Services;
• Creates a post-deployment commission to study ways to improve services to veterans who have been deployed overseas;
• Adds veteran status as a protected class under the statute prohibiting discrimination in employment.

The bill was passed by a unanimous vote of 37-0, and will now be reconciled with the version passed by the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor for his signature.

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Senate Republicans Strengthen Bill to Support Veterans, Servicemembers and Their Families

Veterans HOME Act Extends Commitment to Our Veterans

BOSTON- Senate Republicans today unanimously supported a Senate bill, An Act Relative to Housing, Operations, Military Service, and Enrichment, known as the Massachusetts HOME Act, which expands on the commitment the Senate has made to our veterans, servicemembers and their families.

The HOME Act contains several provisions to boost housing options for veterans, expand property tax exemptions, create new employment and educational opportunities, and other provisions. Massachusetts has the nation’s strongest benefits program for veterans.

“This bill earned bi-partisan support because it provides important benefits to veterans and their families in terms of employment, housing, property tax relief, education, and other services,” said
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Massachusetts leads the nation in our assistance programs offered to veterans, and rightly so because they deserve a support system which reflects their vital service to America and sacrifices on our behalf.”

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus successfully championed several amendments to the bill. Those provisions added veteran protections and benefits to:
• Establish a Veterans Relief Fund – Creates an option to allow cities and towns that choose to create a fund to assist local veterans and their spouses with their food, transportation, heat and oil expenses. Donations would go directly to support local veterans,
• Provide Paid Veterans Day and Memorial Day for veterans- Requires that employees who are veterans be granted paid leave if requested,
• Promote Veteran Property Tax Abatements- Creates a study on the feasibility and merits of a sliding scale property tax abatement for veterans and spouses, based upon a percentage of disability,
• Expand Access to Higher Education for Veterans- Allows veterans to pay in-state college tuition rates immediately upon establishing residency in the state,
• Preserve Local Oversight- Prioritizes local authority of and control over of the soldiers’ homes.

To honor the service of veterans and their families, the bill provides a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of any soldier, sailor, and member of the National Guard or veteran who, during active duty service, suffered an injury or illness which was the proximate cause of death. The bill also gives veterans who have a 100% disability rating for service connected blindness a property tax exemption.

As adopted, the HOME Act contains several provisions to boost housing options for veterans such as extending preference in admission for scattered site housing units where no low-income family housing was developed. The bill also requires housing authorities to exclude amounts of disability compensation paid by the federal government for the purpose of computing rent of a disabled veteran. In addition, the bill gives eligible veterans a preference in housing for the elderly and person with liabilities in all communities, not only the community in which the veteran resides.

Other provisions of this Act include:
• The expansion of the Public Service Scholarship to children of any military or service person missing in action and children of prisoners of war;
• Allows employees of the Commonwealth who are members of the armed forces reserves and are ordered to service for more than 30 consecutive to be paid the regular base salary reduced by the amount received as base pay for military service. It also preserves the seniority or accrued leave time;
• Allows cities and towns to appoint a veterans agent for 3 year terms instead of the current 1 year term;
• Establishes the Office of Veterans Homes and Housing within the Department of Veterans Services to oversee the Soldiers Home in Chelsea and in Holyoke;
• Creates a post-deployment commission to study ways to improve services to veterans who have been deployed overseas.
• Adds veteran status as a protected class under the statute prohibiting discrimination in employment.

The bill will be signed by Governor Baker after it is reconciled with the House of Representatives.

New Public Records Law Requires Public Disclosure of T Pension Funds

Today, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) issued the following statement regarding the new Public Records law and my legislative proposal which requires the disclosure of MBTA Pension Fund documents. That proposal was adopted by the Senate in its version of the Public Records bill and included in the final version of the bill that the Governor signed into law on Friday:

“The mortar in the once seemingly impenetrable walls of secrecy shrouding the $1.6 billion MBTA pension fund has begun to crack and daylight is seeping through. For decades, T pension managers have declared that they do not have to comply with the state’s public disclosure laws, all new fund directors should take special note of the transparency requirements of the new public records law.

Although tens of millions of public dollars have been annually pumped into the system, managers have refused, at every turn, to make full disclosure of documents which could verify the true condition of the fund. Accountability is paramount; the future of thousands of T employees and millions of public dollars is in the balance.

Governor Baker’s signature on the new Public Records law, included a provision sponsored and advanced by the Senate Republican Caucus, which compels existing and future MBTA fund managers to comply fully with the new records law.

Now, once and for all, the efforts of many who have sought the disclosure of relevant document including; the media, fiscal accountability organizations, and members of the Legislature have, with the Governor’s support, have built a new era of transparency for the T pension system and replaced walls with windows.”

Chapter 121 of the Acts of 2016-An Act to Improve Public Records can be found here

Senate Republican Caucus Secures Child Exploitation Protections

Boston- The Senate Republican Caucus today succeeded in securing an amendment that will raise awareness of child abuse and exploitation in a bill that changes the state’s sexual health education law.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) authored the legislation which directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to include among sexual health curriculum, guidelines for child exploitation awareness education for school districts.

“Sadly, experience has taught us that some in our society will put children at risk for abuse, neglect or maltreatment,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Tens of thousands of suspected child abuse reports are filed with the state each year and child safety experts confirm that raising awareness of the warning signs of exploitation can make a significant difference in keeping children safe.”

The Tarr amendment was inspired by Erin Merryn, a childhood sexual assault survivor and the namesake of Erin’s Law.

Erin’s Law requires public schools to include a prevention oriented child sexual abuse program. Tarr’s amendment will better inform school personnel about child sexual abuse, assist parents in recognizing the warning signs of child abuse, and empower children to guard against exploitation.

Following debate on the matter the Tarr amendment was adopted by the Senate by a unanimous vote of the members.

If signed into law by Governor Baker Massachusetts would move into a majority of states which have adopted it. 26 states have adopted Erin’s Law and it is currently pending in 17 others.

Final Formal Legislative Session Bills for 2015

On Wednesday, lawmakers on Beacon Hill will bring to a close the formal legislative session for 2015. The legislature will continue to hold sessions through the end of the year to advance bills that do not require debate or roll call votes in what we often refer to as informal sessions.

A number of bills have been advanced in House and Senate chambers; I want to provide you with an opportunity to become aware of the bills that we expect to see scheduled for debate in the Senate.

There are five significant bills which honor the valor and contributions of our veterans and military members, they are:
• H. 3243 - An Act providing free park access to Purple Heart Recipients,
• H.3173 - An Act relative to the removal of veterans, police and fire, commemorative flag holders,
• H.1306 - An Act relative to veterans' grave markers,
• H.1600 - An Act providing further penalties for intentional loss or damage to a gravestone or other gravemarker,
• H.1641 - An Act concerning the false representation of military status, stolen valor.

Other bills that will likely be voted on in the session include:
• S.757 – An Act regulating notaries public to protect consumers and the validity and effectiveness of recorded instruments (Notaries) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S757  Sets forth the terms, qualifications and requirement for notaries. Prohibits a notary, who is not an attorney, from - advising clients with regards to immigration issues, real estate closings, or providing legal advice. Creates fines for initial and subsequent violation of law up to $5,000 and up to one year in jail.

• S.2052 – An Act establishing the Massachusetts Paint Stewardship program (Paint Stewardship) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2052  This bill creates a program to collect, reuse and recycle post-consumer architectural paint. The bill requires retailers to collect an assessment on the sale of paint on containers of less than five gallons. Requires paint producers to submit to the Department of Environmental Protection a plan to implement paint stewardship

• S.2053 – An Act supporting military leave (Military Leave) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2053  Provides an individual employed in the state who serves in the Army National Guard ,the Army Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Naval Reserve, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve the same rights and privileges given under the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment act.

• S.2054 – An Act relative to social media privacy protection (Social Media) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2054   Prohibits employers, or school from requiring a person to disclose a user name or password for personal social media accounts.

• S.2048 – An Act relative to healthy youth (Healthy Youth) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2048  School districts that offer sexual health education are required to provide content that is medically accurate and age appropriate. Mandates that all schools must adopt a written policy ensuring notification to parents and guarantees an opt out mechanism for them to withdraw a child from the program without penalty.

• S.2047 – An Act to promote quality physical education (Physical Education) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2047  Age appropriate physical activity, fitness and nutrition are included in the definition of physical education. Updates the requirements that physical education be taught in all public schools including charters.

• H.3854 – An Act relative to solar energy (Net Metering) https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H3854 Net metering allows customers of electric distribution to generate their own electricity resulting in an offset in their electricity consumption and allows customers to receive credits for any electricity that they generate but do not use. Increases the current cap in utilities ownership of solar generation, creates a new “market net metering credit”, increases the private net metering cap from 4% of utilities’ peak load to 6%. Increases the public net metering cap from 5% to 7%.

The Senate may also take up H3798 – An Act relative to the trafficking of fentanyl. This bill updates the state’s drug trafficking laws to include a penalty for trafficking fentanyl. Although fentanyl is significantly more potent than drugs such as heroin or morphine, under existing law, traffickers can only be charged with the lesser crimes of dispensing. Convictions for trafficking could result in up to 20 years in state prison.

Our sessions, be they formal or informal, are always open to the public and records of our actions are available free of charge at our Website – www.MaLegislature.gov. You may contact my office for information about these and other bills that are of interest to you.

Standing With the People of Paris

Senate President Stan Rosenberg joined me in the Senate Chamber today to place a bouquet of flowers at the marble bust of the Marquis de Lafayette to show our support for the people of France.

As a courageous teen, Lafayette left France and enlisted in the Continental Army. He service under the command of George Washington and his efforts to secure independence and liberty in America, and in his native France, will forever be remembered.

With the support of Lafayette and the people of France, our capital city is known throughout the world as the cradle of liberty.   Boston and Paris share similar values in that we honor peace and the essential freedoms of an open society.   The violence and terror that was inflicted on innocent civilians will not dim the city of light – just as Bostonians stood strong after the Marathon bombing so too will Paris find that its friends and allies will stand shoulder to shoulder for liberté, égalité and fraternité.

Discussing Renewable Energy and Partnership

This morning Minority Leader Senator Tarr had the honor of joining Governor Baker in welcoming Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard to Massachusetts and the State House. Mr. Couillard was elected as Premier in 2014 and is leading the province toward further development of its hydroelectric generating capabilities, which are already substantial. Together we discussed the tremendous potential for our state to receive the benefits of this renewable, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly electricity as part of an energy portfolio that needs these elements.

The possibilities for extremely beneficial partnerships in renewable energy between Quebec and Massachusetts were highlighted again this afternoon at the 23^rd Annual Energy Trade & Technology Conference  where I again met with Premier Couillard for a luncheon and he delivered the keynote address to business and government leaders from the Eastern United States and Canada. 

Senator Tarr is confident and optimistic that by working in partnership, Quebec and Massachusetts can together help to build a future with energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fosters energy independence in ways that help our economies and our environment.

Happy Veterans' Day

Join us today in remembering, and showing respect for, our nation’s veterans.  

I salute the brave men and women who serve today, and those who have ever worn our nation’s uniform, their combined efforts have protected our freedoms and preserved our democracy. 

Massachusetts families have, since the Revolutionary War to today’s conflicts in Iraq and in Afghanistan,  offered the country strong, thoughtful, and brave men and women who have defended and secured our freedoms and protected those around the world from tyranny.

 

To protect the American way of life our Army soldiers, Navy sailors, Air Force airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard guardians accepted challenges and missions that required extraordinary actions.  Thank you for your service.

Senate Creates Child Safety Net

In response to growing national media accounts and government reports of children being handed off to strangers through Internet sites such as on Facebook and Yahoo, the Senate today took action today to end the practice by adopting a bill co-sponsored by Senator Jennifer Flanagan and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr.

“We have a solemn obligation to prevent children from being put in jeopardy by being transferred outside the safeguards and accountability of our well-developed adoption system,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester). “This bill reflects that obligation by creating a serious and appropriate range of penalties for those who would put a child in another’s hands without regard for safety and well-being.”

Re-homing, a word associated with pet owners looking for new homes for their animals, has been used to describe the practice of transferring custody of a child without the knowledge or authorization of a court or licensed adoption agency. Increasingly, children of parents no longer willing or interested in caring for them have been offered up in makeshift undocumented adoptions, sometimes to homes with sex offenders and abusers.

A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report on re-homing found that unregulated exchanges often occur because people were often unable or unwilling to meet adoption agency protocols. Absent agency background checks, children have been placed in dangerous situations.

“By addressing the issue of re-homing , which poses exceptional dangers for one of our most at-risk youth populations, we are building on bipartisan efforts to strengthen protections for children across the Commonwealth,” said Donald Humason (R-Westfield), a member of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “It is also important for us to take steps to ensure that adults interested in adopting can utilize the safest and most capable legal adoption services the Commonwealth can provide to discourage involvement in unregulated practices like re-homing.”

The bill includes criminal penalties for anyone, other than a duly authorized agent licensed placement agency, who places an advertisement to either acquire or receive a child. In addition, placement agencies will be required to provide a prospective parent with all relevant information about a child so that he or she can knowledgeably determine whether to accept the child for adoption.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus offered several amendments to the bill including a stiffening of penalties for those who would advertise alternative placement of a child for money or those who place or receive a child. First offenders will be subject to fines up to $10,000 and up to 2 and a half years incarceration. Second and subsequent offences will be subject to fines of $50,000 and $100,000 respectively. Other amendments included amendments examined options for mandated reporters to alert authorities of re-homed children, and a measure to create a commission to study barriers to adoption. While reports of re-homing have focused on disrupted adoptions, sponsors of the bill noted that the law, in its current form, does not ban the practice from occurring for biological offspring.

November is National Adoption Month and Senate backers of the bill are hopeful that the House will schedule the bill for a vote prior to the legislative recess November 18.

Senate Supplements Priorities in Funding Bill

Tomorrow, the Senate will take up a bill, Senate 2025, which will fund significant state government programs and advance a number of public policy priorities.  The $341 million proposal reflects a series of items first initiated by Governor Baker in order to fulfill functions outlined in the state budget such as training at the Department of Children and Families, final payments for contractors who cleared last winter’s snow and ice, and initiatives for public health and public safety.

MassHealth will receive $203 million to address shortfalls and to expand substance abuse coverage.

Other substance abuse related programs funded by the bill:

• $300,000 for the Trial Court to hire a project coordinator to oversee coordination, administration and financial oversight of the sequential intercept model project,
• $15.2 million to fund substance abuse and residential beds and school-based substance use screenings,
• $1.2 million for verbal substance use screening,
• $5.8  million for a substance use treatment program to provide detoxification and clinical services for civilly committed women with substance use disorders at Taunton State Hospital,
• $3.8 million to fund substance abuse counselors in schools.

In addition, other major areas of funding include:

• $31.5 million for snow and ice removal costs for Mass Department of Transportation,
• $21.7 million to close deficiencies in ten Sheriff Departments,
• $3 million to fund Department of Children and Families training services for foster families and adoptive families and congregate care and adoption support services,
• $5 million to support homelessness diversion, prevention and housing stabilization programs,
• $9.5 million for National Guard student tuition and fees reimbursements,

The bill makes a $120,000,000 deposit into the state’s so-called Rainy Day Fund and revives a special commission charged with examining housing and shelter options for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus and I have offered several amendments to the bill to provide assistance to municipalities, low-income families, and health patients, these include:

• Providing cities and town with $20 million in additional Local Aid payments for essential services,
• Creating a two year pilot program to examine ways to qualify patients needing extended hospital stays to be covered under Federal Medicare,
• Requiring the Department of Public Health to seek approval from the federal government to allow those who receive WIC benefits to use them on diapers for children. Currently, families receiving WIC cannot use the benefits to purchase diapers,
• Protecting businesses against patent infringement threats, known as patent trolling,
• Providing low-income households with $10 million in heating assistance, 
• Requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to conduct a feasibility study before adopting the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness (PARCC) standardized test, in place of the MCAS including procedures required to repeal the 2010 decision of the board to adopt the PARCC standards.  
• Promoting compliance with the health care cost transparency law which requires health insurers to provide patients with accurate pricing information.

 

The text of the bill can be read by clicking this link: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S2025