Click on link below to read this week’s February 27th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online February 27th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (1)
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Daily Archives: February 27, 2024
This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill
By Bob Katzen
“Nearly 70 percent of those deaths took place where we should feel safest – at home. Tragically, more than half of those deaths took place in homes without working smoke alarms. And about two-thirds of last year’s fatal fire victims were adults aged 65 or older.”
—State Fire Marshal Jon Davine on the 45 Massachusetts residents who died in fires last year. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (S 2589)
By Bob Katzen
The Education Committee gave a favorable report to and recommended passage of a measure that would require that American Sign Language (ASL) be taught in all Bay State public elementary and secondary schools to increase interactions between hearing persons and deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, as well as children with autism. Current law allows but does not require schools to teach ASL. Continue reading AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (S 2589)
FREE DIAPERS (H 149)
By Bob Katzen
Another proposal given a favorable report by the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee would create a pilot program to provide free diapers to low-income families at food pantries. Continue reading FREE DIAPERS (H 149)
DECLARE RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS (S 1412)
By Bob Katzen
The Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee gave a favorable report and recommended passage of legislation that would declare racism as a public Continue reading DECLARE RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS (S 1412)
MARIJUANA AND FIRST RESPONDERS (S 48)
By Bob Katzen
The Committee on Cannabis Policy has given a favorable report and recommended passage of a measure that would require the Cannabis Control Commission and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to study and report to the Legislature on the barriers that first responders face about their legal right to use cannabis.
Continue reading MARIJUANA AND FIRST RESPONDERS (S 48)
NOAH FERNANDES MITOCHONDRIAL AWARENESS DAY (H 4140)
By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a bill designating the Friday of the third full week of September as Noah Fernandes Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Day, in recognition of the Team Noah Foundation, whose goal is to alleviate the financial and emotional stress by providing transportation and home improvements to families with children who are affected by Mitochondrial Disease and other developmental disabilities.
Continue reading NOAH FERNANDES MITOCHONDRIAL AWARENESS DAY (H 4140)
CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (H 4396)
By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a bill that would modernize written state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities. Continue reading CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (H 4396)
INCREASE FINES FOR VIOLATING HANDICAPPED PARKING (H 3261)
By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would allow cities and towns to increase the current $300 maximum fine for parking illegally in a parking space reserved for handicapped persons. That $300 fine is set by the state and goes into the municipalities’ General Fund. Continue reading INCREASE FINES FOR VIOLATING HANDICAPPED PARKING (H 3261)
PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (S 2520)
By Bob Katzen
On November 15, 2023, the Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters say would make major changes and reforms to the state’s pharmaceutical system by “lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry.” Continue reading PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (S 2520)
HIV PREVENTION DRUGS (S 2480)
By Bob Katzen
On October 26, 2023 the Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer a short-term supply (60-days once in a two-year period) of HIV prevention drugs, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to a patient without a prescription.
Continue reading HIV PREVENTION DRUGS (S 2480)
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (S 2491)
By Bob Katzen
On October 26, 2023, the Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would require all prisons, homeless shelters and K-12 schools to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins, tampons and underwear liners in private and public restrooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.”
Continue reading MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (S 2491)
MAKE OBTAINING ID CARDS EASIER FOR HOMELESS PERSONS (S 2251)
By Bob Katzen
On July 27, 2023, the Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House legislation that would make it easier for homeless youth and adults to secure free state ID cards. Continue reading MAKE OBTAINING ID CARDS EASIER FOR HOMELESS PERSONS (S 2251)
GENDER X (S 2429)
By Bob Katzen
On July 27, 2023, the Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow Bay Staters to choose the gender-neutral designation “X” in lieu of “male” or “female” on their birth certificates and marriage certificates.
Continue reading GENDER X (S 2429)