By Bob Katzen

The Senate 5-32, rejected an amendment that would change the current rule that allows a senator, who is not physically at the session in the Senate chamber, to vote remotely from any location and without giving a reason for his or her absence from the Senate chamber.

The amendment would have allowed senators who are not in the chamber to vote remotely only in cases of disability, illness, providing care for an immediate family member, pregnancy or childbirth for a senator, a senator’s spouse, partner or domestic partner. The amendment does not require the senator to provide proof or documentation of the reason for not being in the chamber.

“Legislators work best when they have the kinds of discussions and collaborations only possible through in-person interaction,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “Nearly every other state legislature, including the Massachusetts House of Representatives, meets in person. The Senate should do the same.”

Sen. Lovely said the current rule works well and does not need to be changed. She noted if there are empty chairs in the Senate chamber, it’s not necessarily because those senators aren’t in the building. They may be up in their offices or at another meeting in the building. She also noted that sometimes senators are needed in their districts on a day the Senate meets and argued that remote voting offers a rare opportunity to be with our constituents in our districts and still be recorded on a Senate vote at the same time. She noted it is rare that someone needs to operate from home for illness or disability.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen No