Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 8 to June 12.
Banning school and public library books and materials (H 5489)
The House, 153-3, approved a bill that supporters said would protect people’s access to library materials and guard against politically motivated book bans in school libraries and public libraries. The bill requires local policies to be developed using nationally recognized library standards and lays out a process around challenges to library materials. The bill also protects librarians and school library professionals from retaliation.
The Senate has already approved a different version of the measure and the House version now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Provisions in the House bill include giving students the right to receive information, including school library materials deemed educational and age appropriate; requiring that determinations about whether materials are age appropriate are made by qualified school library professionals using their professional training and expertise, and not based on personal, political or doctrinal beliefs; and requiring school districts to adopt a written policy governing the selection and use of school library materials.
The House measure also requires public libraries to adopt and publicly post written policies governing the selection and use of library materials, and mandates that the policies incorporate the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights and ensure that materials are not selected, restricted or removed based on personal, political or doctrinal viewpoint.
“Every person and student within the commonwealth deserves access to a strong and diverse selection of books professionally curated and set by national standards, not dictated by ideology or politics,” said Rep. Sean Garballey, D-Arlington, House chair of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. “By ensuring librarians are protected when performing their duties, and that our schools and public libraries have the support systems to comply with state law and national collection standards, we in Massachusetts are at the forefront of fighting against a new wave of censorship.”
Only three representatives voted against the bill — Reps. John Gaskey, R-Carver, David DeCoste, R-Norwell, and Donald Berthiaume, R-Spencer. None of them responded to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the bill.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Eliminate law that protects employees from prosecution (H 5489)
The House, 2-154, rejected an amendment striking a current law that prevents employees of schools, libraires and museums from being prosecuted for violating obscenity laws if the evidence proves that the defendant was acting in the course of his or her employment as an employee of those entities.
Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver, the sponsor of the amendment, said current law unfairly grants absolute unchecked legal immunity to government employees, rendering them completely unaccountable to taxpayers who fund them. He said the House is establishing an elite class of citizens in Massachusetts and saying to working-class taxpayers who fund schools that if they distribute explicit adult material to a minor, they will go to state prison; but if a state-certified bureaucrat does it under the vague banner of an educational purpose, they get statutory immunity and can’t be fined, fired or prosecuted.
Rep. Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleborough, who voted against the amendment, said this existing protection is a good one that shields schools, libraries and museums from obscenity enforcement when materials have legitimate educational, literary, artistic or scientific value. He argued that the underlying bill already establishes clear, meaningful standards for what materials may be included in school libraries, and that removing the existing protection would expose educators and librarians to criminal obscenity proceedings simply for doing their jobs.
A “No” vote is against the amendment and therefore supports the protection.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — No
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Safety for firefighters (H 5488)
The House, 156-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would create a public database of violations of the state’s fire prevention laws and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.
The measure is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting “hot work,” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The proposed law has been 10 years in the making and was first prompted by the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy, who died while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died.
“While we can never undo the profound loss of Lt. Edward Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy, we can honor their sacrifice by ensuring that the lessons learned from that tragic day are not forgotten,” said Rep. Daniel Cahill, D-Lynn, House chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
The Senate approved a similar bill in March 2024, but it died in the House Ways and Means Committee, which did not act on it.
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
No-cost calls for prisoners (H 5493)
The House, 28-128, rejected an amendment to a section of a $228 million fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget that provides $22.5 million to cover the additional costs associated with no-cost calls for Massachusetts prisoners. The amendment would delay the distribution of this funding until the secretary of administration and finance develops and presents a plan to keep the annual expenditure from this line item under $10 million.
“While Massachusetts prisoners are able to make unlimited phone calls free of charge, there is still a significant cost associated with this program for the sheriffs’ offices and the commonwealth,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones, R-North Reading. “Multiple sheriffs’ offices have testified that these costs are out of control and need to be reined in. This amendment would take steps to address this problem by making sure a plan is in place to cap expenses at no more than $10 million per year, which is still a significant number but is well below what the state is currently spending on the program.”
Opponents said the No-Cost Calls Law works because when prisoners are able to communicate with their families and friends, the result is better success rates and less recidivism. They argued that this $22.5 million is wisely spent on the program and means the state would be able to spend less money on its criminal justice system.
A “No” vote is against the $10 million reduction and favors the $22.5 million.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — No
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — No
Child welfare (S 3111)
The Senate, 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters say would guarantee certain basic rights for children in foster care related to their safety, education and health care. They argued that the measure safeguards the well-being of children, especially those in state care and foster care; increases access to community support for children at risk of court involvement; and strengthens the Office of the Child Advocate to support robust investigations into reports of harm or abuse to a child.
A key provision would expand the diversion of children dealing with behavioral or attendance problems to Family Resource Centers (FRCs) instead of the court system. Supporters note that FRCs provide accessible, confidential support to children and families in crisis close to home and have proven successful in helping kids and teens stay in school, connecting families with services such as mental health or substance use treatment, housing aid and legal help.
“The Senate is standing firm in its commitment to improve safety, stability and well-being for children across the commonwealth, with special attention to protecting children in foster care,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, a key proponent of the measure. “This legislation includes a Foster Child Bill of Rights, which clarifies and affirms that every child deserves to be heard, supported and treated with dignity. It recognizes the importance of supportive and affirming placements, preserving family and kinship connections whenever possible, maintaining educational continuity, honoring cultural and gender identities and ensuring children with disabilities receive the accommodations they need.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Sen. Jo Comerford — Yes
- Sen. Paul Mark — Yes
Also up on Beacon Hill
2026 sales tax holiday (S 3119 and H 5495)
The House and Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved a measure that would allow consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, without paying the state’s 6.25% sales tax. A 2018 state law, which made the sales tax holiday permanent, requires the Legislature to vote to set the dates of the holiday each year. The measure does not need the governor’s signature to take effect.
Supporters of the bill said the holiday, which has been in effect for many years, would boost retail sales and noted that consumers would save millions of dollars. They argued that the state’s sales tax revenue loss would be offset by increased revenue from the meals and gas tax revenue generated by shoppers on those two days. They noted that, according to the Department of Revenue, the 2025 sales tax holiday generated $3.65 million in indirect tax revenues due to increased economic activity.
Some opponents of the measure said the state cannot afford the up to $30 million estimated revenue loss and argued that the holiday actually generates little additional revenue for stores because consumers typically buy the products even without the tax-free days. Others said the Legislature should be looking at broader, deeper tax relief for individuals and businesses and not a tiny tax-free holiday. Some said that legislators should not vote for this tax holiday when they have not yet restored all the local aid, education and other important program cuts made over the past few years.
$4.58 billion for transportation projects (H 5375)
Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a measure that authorizes $4.58 billion in bonding for various local, regional and state transportation programs. The package includes $300 million for cities and towns for local roads and bridges — $200 million of which will be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula, while the other $100 million will be distributed based on road mileage.
Other provisions include $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program, which aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges across the state that are in the worst condition; $200 million for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts, and bike and pedestrian upgrades; and $200 million for a new deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The legislation also reauthorizes $3.18 billion in funding for several programs included in the 2022 Transportation Bond Bill, including $2.3 billion for projects on interstates and other federally aided highways; $800 million for improvements to non-federally aided roadways and bridges; $65 million for the Municipal Pavement Program for engineering, permitting, design and climate change adaptation on municipal ways; and $12 million for grants for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program for improvements to municipal streets to create additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists.
“This legislation delivers a package of fiscally responsible, strategic support for communities across Massachusetts, including a second year of historic $300 million Chapter 90 funding and transportation investments that will unlock housing,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. “We’re proud to continue investing in communities across Massachusetts and delivering long-term value for residents, families and businesses.”
Change archaic language referring to people with disabilities (H 5474)
Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to people with disabilities. Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities;” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability;” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability;” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.”
“Our laws should reflect the dignity and worth of every person,” Healey said. “It is so important that we remove outdated and offensive language in our laws because government is about serving everyone — and we need to make sure that all of our residents feel valued and respected.”
“Words are important,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, the sponsor of the legislation. “Language is constantly changing. When people tell us they feel insulted by the use of outdated words, we should listen to them and use language that respects them. Language and activism will continue to evolve, and there is always more work to do, but this is a gigantic step forward in respect.”
Pets (H 4319)
The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to a bill that would ban the commercial sale of dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in pet stores. The measure does allow pet shops to offer space to an animal rescue or shelter organization to showcase dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs that are up for adoption as long as the pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals.
Rep. Adam Scanlon, D-North Attleborough, the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the bill and its passage.
Supporters said the bill would sever the state’s ties to puppy mills and other unethical breeding of animals. They said this would put an end to a system that harms animals and misleads hopeful pet owners, allowing sick and vulnerable animals to be sold.
“[The bill] will help end the puppy mill-to-pet shop pipeline while still allowing pet shops to partner with shelters and rescues to showcase adoptable animals,” said Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy at MSPCA-Angell. “The bill also covers rabbits and guinea pigs — animals who often come from the same inhumane breeding operations and are overflowing in local shelters. By shifting to partnerships and focusing on pet supplies and services like grooming, pet shops can still operate by transitioning to a more humane business model when this bill passes.”
Autism and police stops (H 5438)
The Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, the House version of legislation designed to improve interactions between police officers and people with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. The Senate had previously approved its own version, but has agreed to the House version. This program was adopted by the Massachusetts State Police in 2024, but is not an actual law; the bill would codify the program into Massachusetts law. The proposal needs additional approval in each branch before it goes to Gov. Maura Healey.
The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill,” would create a program giving people with the disorder the option to be given a blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license and vehicle registration. On the outside of the envelope there would be written information and guidance regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder. The envelope must also include instructions for access to the envelope, including attaching it to the sun visor on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police officer during a traffic stop.
Since the program was adopted by the Massachusetts State Police in 2024, more than 12,000 blue envelopes have been distributed.
“I am overjoyed that this necessary bill to enshrine the Blue Envelopes Program in law will soon be on its way to the governor’s desk,” said Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, the sponsor of an original version of the proposal.