By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-0, approved an amendment that would require the state to designate at least one 988 crisis hotline center to provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination 24 hours per day, seven days a week for individuals accessing the federally designated 988 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline. Continue reading 988 MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House legislation, known as the Mental Health Addressing Barriers to Care (ABC) Act that will make mental health care more accessible in the Bay State. Continue reading INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS →

By Bob Katzen

The House 158-1, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters say will promote a more balanced health care market by strengthening the regulatory processes for health care expansions. The measure requires a rigorous review to ensure that when large hospital systems expand, they are not infringing on community hospital markets and raising health care costs for patients. Continue reading REGULATE EXPANSION OF HOSPITALS →

By Bob Katzen

The House 157-2, approved a bill requiring public schools to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide. The measure also establishes a Genocide Education Trust Fund to help fund the teaching. The funds would come from the Legislature, private and public gifts and grants and revenue from fines imposed for hate crimes. Continue reading REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO TEACH ABOUT GENOCIDE →

By Bob Katzen

The House 151-8, Senate 26-3, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill that redistricts the state’s nine congressional districts. The plan is based on the 2020 U.S. census and will be in effect until the next redistricting cycle following the census in 2030. Continue reading CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Health Committee held a virtual hearing on legislation that would require public buildings in Massachusetts, including government buildings, schools, entertainment venues and transportation facilities, to have at least one centrally located bleeding control kit and someone trained to use it on the premises. These kits contain basic tools such as a tourniquet, gauze and gloves to allow anyone to help stem serious bleeding before the arrival of first responders. Continue reading REQUIRE BLEEDING CONTROL TRAUMA KITS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Health Committee held a virtual hearing on a bill that would ban the marriage of anyone under the age of 18. Current law allows minors to get married if they have parental consent. Continue reading BAN CHILD MARRIAGE →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Health Committee’s virtual hearing included a bill that would establish a multi-tiered system of stroke facilities, including Comprehensive Stroke Centers, Primary Stroke Centers and Acute Stroke Ready Centers. The measure also requires Emergency Medical Services (EMS) councils to create and annually review pre-hospital protocols related to the assessment, treatment, transport and rerouting of stroke patients to the most clinically appropriate facilities. Another provision requires the Public Health Department to make available a list of all designated stroke centers to EMS providers in order to give patients the greatest possible chance of survival and recovery. Continue reading REDUCE STROKES BILL# (S 1477) →

By Bob Katzen

The Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee held a virtual hearing on a proposal that would make it illegal to sell a new manufactured fur product in Massachusetts and impose a fine between $500 and $5,000 per fur product for anyone convicted of the sale.

Continue reading STATE TO BAN SALE OF FUR PRODUCTS →

By Bob Katzen

The Public Health Committee held a virtual hearing on legislation that would require restaurants to designate a server or other individual who is knowledgeable about the relevant issues relating to food allergies, as they relate to food preparation, to coordinate food service and preparation for customers with identified food allergies. Continue reading FOOD ALLERGIES AND RESTAURANTS →

By Bob Katzen

Until recently, Gov. Baker was a strong supporter of TCI—a regional collaboration which originally captured the interest of 12 states and the District of Columbia and was envisioned to reduce carbon emissions and improve transportation.
Continue reading BAKER ADMINISTRATION WITHDRAWS FROM TRANSPORTATION CLIMATE INITIATIVE (CTI) →

Somerville’s free community digital fabrication lab, FabVille, is now open for in-person use at Somerville High School (SHS). Continue reading FabVille Reopens to Somerville Residents →

Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Hannah “Marie”(Sullivan) Mason on her passing. Continue reading Somerville Remembering Hannah “Marie”(Sullivan) Mason →

Join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services, and the Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Awareness Alliance (GSAA) on Tuesday, November 23, at 3:30 p.m. for a ceremony in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Continue reading Somerville Transgender Day of Remembrance, 11/23 →

Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Marjorie E. Tibbetts on her passing. Continue reading Somerville Remembering Marjorie E. Tibbetts →