Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would require the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promulgate regulations related to document requests made by other states and the federal government and maintain a database of the requests. The amendment would also require HHS to provide a record of the requests to the House and Senate Clerks.
“The top priority we should all have is the safety of our friends, family and neighbors” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) who voted for the amendment. “I will continue to work to ensure that the rights and protections that these individuals have are safeguarded by the Legislature and that everyone has access to their right to proper healthcare without interference from other states or legislative bodies.”
Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain why he proposed the amendment.
“I voted against [the amendment] because, while I agreed with the intent [of the amendment], I didn’t believe it could be implemented without a lot of further research to make it possible to implement as written,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington). “Having not spoken with HHS, we couldn’t do that in time to redraft it.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote Is against it.)
Sen. Patricia Jehlen No