There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on some of the bills that were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in the 2019 sessions.
Of the more than 6,000 bills that have been filed for consideration, only 148 have been approved and signed by the governor. Only 25 of those were bills that affect the entire state, while the vast majority were either sick leave banks, local land-taking measures or other local-related measures applying to just one city or town.
Sick leave banks allow public employees to voluntarily donate sick, personal or vacation days to a sick leave bank for use by a fellow worker so he or she can get paid while on medical leave. Land-takings are local land measures that usually only affect one city or town.
Here are five of the 25 important, statewide-related bills signed into law:
House 148 to 8, Senate 34 to 0, approved and on April 8, Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would prohibit psychiatrists, psychologists and other health care providers from attempting to change the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of anyone under 18. Conversion therapy exposes the person to a stimulus while simultaneously subjecting him or her to some form of discomfort. The therapy is primarily used to try to convert gays and lesbians to be straight.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
House 154 to 1, Senate 39 to 1, on Sept. 19, overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a bill that would allow unions to charge non-members for the cost of some services and representation. The measure would also give unions several new rights, including access to state workers’ personal contact information with their home addresses, home and cellphone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses.
The bill was filed as a response to a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees case that public employees cannot be forced to pay fees or dues to a union to which he or she does not belong. Freedom of speech advocates hailed the decision while labor advocates said it was an unjust attack on unions.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
House 155 to 1, Senate 37 to 3, on April 25 overrode Gov. Baker’s veto of a bill that repeals the current law that denies an additional $100 in welfare benefits to children conceived while — or soon after — the family began receiving welfare benefits, or if they had received family welfare benefits in the past. The law was adopted in 1995 as part of a welfare reform package that was aimed at discouraging families already receiving public support from having more children.
A “Yes” vote is for repealing the cap.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
House 158 to 0, Senate 37 to 0, approved and on Nov. 14, the governor signed into law legislation that would require colleges and universities to post financial information online in a publicly accessible fashion, undergo regular budgetary screening and alert state officials if they face imminent closure. The possible closure information would remain private to allow struggling institutions to recoup without alarming the public. The measure also requires board members at every college and university to undergo regular fiduciary and accreditation training.
If the board determines that a school does in fact face closure, the school would be required to create a contingency plan with details outlining how students can complete their programs, how their records would be maintained and how deposits would be refunded.
The board would impose a fine of up to $1,000 per day if it determines that an institution has failed to comply with this new law. The board would also have the power to suspend state funding to the institution or revoke degree-granting authority.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
House 119 to 33, Senate 32 to 6, and on Nov. 22, Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would ban the sale of flavored vaping and tobacco products — including mint and menthol cigarettes — and impose a 75 percent excise tax on e-cigarettes. Businesses that don’t comply with the bill’s provisions could have their Lottery licenses temporarily suspended.
The bill also requires commercial health insurers and MassHealth to cover the costs of smoking cessation programs and nicotine replacement therapy. Another provision raises the penalties on retailers for illegal tobacco sales.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.
Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes
Rep. Paul Mark — Yes
Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes
Sen. Adam Hinds — Yes
Five bills have been stuck in committee for months.
The Higher Education Committee has not acted on a bill that would give free college tuition including mandatory fees to Massachusetts residents who have a high school diploma or equivalent; have been admitted or are already enrolled in a public college or university or at certificate, vocational or training programs at a public institution; and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A hearing on the proposal was held on April 30.
No action has been taken by the Judiciary Committee on a bill that would repeal a current law passed in 1990, which created professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under existing law, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority and the American Student Assistance can request that a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certificate, registration or license be suspended, revoked or canceled for default on educational loans made or administered by either group. A hearing on the bill was held on May 13.
On May 16, the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held a hearing on a bill that would prohibit cities and towns from publishing the name of a veteran who owes the municipality taxes. Instead, the veterans’ service officer of the city or town would contact the veteran privately and provide him or her with information regarding their overdue tax situation. Many cities and towns publish the names of their taxpayers who owe the municipality back taxes. The committee has not acted on the bill.
The Elections Laws Committee held a June 20 hearing on a measure that would require eligible voters to cast a ballot in any November general election or face a fine of $15 that would be added to the non-voter’s state tax liability for each election missed. The proposal also clarifies that the voter does not have to actually vote for anyone and is allowed to leave the ballot blank.
The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee recommended passage of legislation requiring any food establishments that have had their kosher certification revoked to post a sign on the front door or window stating, “Kosher Certification Revoked.” The bill has been stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee since May 15.
Sponsor Rep. Ruth Balser, D-Newton, said she filed the bill because it was brought to her attention that a kosher grocery store in her district had lost its kosher certification but did not remove the kosher sign from its storefront.