Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ votes on one roll call from the week of July 13 to July 17. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week.
Pets (H 5589)
The House, 151-1, approved a bill that supporters say will strengthen animal welfare protections, modernize veterinary technician licensing and support responsible pet ownership.
The House version of the measure does not include a major provision that is in the version of the bill already passed by the Senate. Supporters of the Senate version say that the Senate version would end the inhumane puppy-mill-to-pet-shop system by banning commercial sales of cats and dogs in pet stores. The House version now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Provisions of the House measure include modernizing the state’s dog licensing and kennel oversight laws by strengthening inspection requirements; improving reporting from licensing authorities; ensuring that dogs housed in kennels are properly licensed; and establishing a clearer legal process for addressing cases of animal neglect. Law enforcement and animal control officers will be able to petition courts for timely intervention when animals are suffering from neglect, allowing courts to order appropriate care, remove animals from dangerous situations when necessary or permanently prohibit individuals from owning animals in serious cases.
The bill strengthens protections for animals used in research by expanding adoption opportunities for dogs and cats after research concludes. Other provisions prohibit a manufacturer or contract testing facility from using a traditional animal testing method if there is an alternative method when testing a product, product formulation, chemical or ingredient; updates Massachusetts law governing pet insurance by adopting nationally recognized consumer protection standards; establishes penalties for transportation network companies like Uber and their drivers who unlawfully refuse service to riders accompanied by service animals; and establishes a statewide pet ownership program for older adults living in public housing. The program prohibits blanket bans on pets while allowing housing authorities to adopt reasonable pet policies that protect residents, animals and housing facilities.
“If there is any issue that we can all agree on, it’s that all of our furry friends deserve long, happy lives,” said Rep. Jack Lewis, D-Framingham, House chair of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. “This legislation is a strong step toward that goal. We are employing robust measures to promote good caretaking and penalize bad actors, such as expanding policy related to veterinary technicians and pet insurance, banning the use of animals in household product safety research and adding new oversight to the kennel industry. I am especially proud of the wide bipartisan support that this bill garnered, highlighting our collective unity on this issue.”
“This is more of the state putting its thumbs on the scales with local communities,” said Rep. John Gaskey, R-Carver, the only member to vote against the measure. “Animals are being transformed from pets into four-legged humans, and while I hate the idea of someone having to give up a pet to go into state housing, the burden this places on others is one that is being overlooked, not to mention the additional costs of repairing and rehabilitating housing for the next resident after a pet owner leaves. The restrictions on small businesses are too much. Pet stores track their animals and maintain health records prior to selling. If the state would just enforce the laws we already have, this would be unnecessary.”
A “Yes” vote is for the bill.
- Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes
- Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes
Also up on Beacon Hill
No roll call votes on three major bills
The Senate approved three major bills by a voice vote, without a recorded roll call.
The three bills would ban the use of DEHP, a toxic chemical that is commonly added to plastic intravenous bags and tubing (H 5550); support the safety of frontline health care workers (S 3171); and help older adults age in place by improving the home care industry that assists elders with basic care like cooking, dressing and bathing (S 3170).
In the Massachusetts Senate, it only takes one senator to request a roll call vote. A roll call vote is then ordered if at least one-fifth of the senators present support the motion to have a roll call or if a number of members equal to the total number of members of the minority party (currently five Republicans) support the motion — whichever is less.
It is impossible to determine how a senator votes on a voice vote.
Senate President Karen Spilka, or the senator who is filling in for her at the podium, orchestrates a voice vote with a simple: “All those in favor of the bill say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The Ayes have it and the bill is approved.” Or: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No.’ The No’s have it and the bill is rejected.”
The senators, in fact, don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors.
Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, was the leading voice debating in favor of two of the three proposals on the Senate floor. She did not request a roll call vote on either of those bills.
Toxic medical devices (H 5550)
The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a bill that would ban the use of DEHP, a toxic chemical that is commonly added to plastic intravenous bags and tubing and linked to breast, liver, lung and testicular cancer. Many IV bags currently contain DEHP, which is added to improve the plastic’s flexibility. The measure also prevents manufacturers from replacing DEHP with similar ortho-phthalates and encourages the transition to safer alternatives while preserving limited exemptions for specialized blood collection and cell therapy products.
“The Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act was filed because patients should never have to worry that the tools meant to heal them are exposing them to a cancer-linked chemical, especially when safe alternatives already exist in use right here in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, Senate sponsor of the legislation. “Seeing this advance through the Legislature brings Massachusetts to the brink of leading the nation on exemplary medical care.”
“We are once again elevating the standard of care in the commonwealth and we should all be proud of that,” said Sen. Bill Driscoll, D-Milton, Senate chair of the Committee on Public Health. “When implemented, this will improve the health of patients by decreasing exposure to toxins and known carcinogens.”
Workplace violence in health care facilities (S 3171)
The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved legislation that supporters said would bolster the safety of frontline health care workers by improving security protocols at hospitals and doctors’ offices across the state; help law enforcement make timely arrests for assaults at health care facilities; extend new supports to health care employees who are assaulted on the job; and shield victims’ personal information from assailants.
A key section would establish that employees who suffer workplace violence are entitled to paid leave for any time spent seeking medical treatment and aiding in the prosecution of their attacker, without using any vacation, sick or personal time.
“Every 36 minutes, a health care worker in Massachusetts is assaulted or threatened on the job,” said Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, Senate sponsor of the legislation. “That is not [in] the job description, and it never should be a reality for any professional. The bill the Senate passed today is built on legislation I have filed session after session on behalf of our nurses, our frontline caregivers and our hospitals. It requires every facility to assess its own risks with its own workers, build a real prevention program and ensure accountability. It gives an assaulted worker paid leave, privacy and a lawful response.”
“No health care worker should ever be subjected to violence in the course of their duties, working long hours to selflessly care for their patients,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues, D-Westport, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It’s alarming that almost seven out of 10 nurses have reported workplace violence, an unacceptable statistic that must end now. Our dedicated health care workers will now have updated workplace violence prevention programs and a stronger support system to ensure a safe and professional workplace environment.”
The House has already approved a different version of the bill and a conference committee will likely be appointed to craft a compromise version.
Home care (S 3170)
The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved a proposal that supporters said would help older adults age in place at home by improving the home care industry that assists elders with basic care like cooking, dressing and bathing.
A key provision would establish a licensure process, which would include fingerprinting and background checks for home care agencies to ensure that consumers receive quality non-medical services, and that home care workers are protected. Massachusetts is currently among a handful of states that do not regulate home care agencies.
Other provisions help connect people in need of care with a properly checked home care service by requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to share a list of verified and licensed agencies on its website; creating a committee — the Home Care Worker and Consumer Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee — to advise the Executive Office of Health and Human Services on new regulations and how to handle safety concerns for both consumers and home care workers; and creating a special commission to explore the idea of a possible state program that people would pay into and from which older and retired adults would receive long-term services or support.
“Home care is such an important component to our overall system, allowing people to remain in their homes with dignity and receive the care they need to maintain their daily lives,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues, D-Westport, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “By creating a licensure process, both the caregiver and the client benefit, ensuring the best care for our residents, and increasing the level of integrity for the home care worker. This legislation closes a loophole that will now mandate that these important health care workers be under proper state regulations and oversight.”
“Everyone — consumers and workers — will be safer with home care licensure,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-Somerville, Senate chair of the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the Senate sponsor of the legislation. “If you qualify for state-paid home care, the agency who sends you workers is required to train and supervise them and meet other standards. But if you’re private pay, you may have to find someone in a hurry. There are a large and growing number of agencies, many for profit. They can send care workers who would come into your home and help with grocery shopping and even intimate help with showering. We don’t even know how many such agencies there are. And they don’t have to meet any standards. The bill is supported by home care organizations, SEIU 1199 and consumer groups. Most of us will need long-term care at some point, and many of us will find it very hard to afford.”
“As Massachusetts’ population ages, the demand for home care is rising,” said Cari Medina, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “Older adults and people with disabilities who receive care at home, and their families, deserve protection from fly-by-night home care operations that cut corners and mistreat workers to make a quick buck.”
Expand membership to include LGBTQ member (S 116)
The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to the House a measure that would expand the number of board members on the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board from its original 21 members to 23 members. The bill would designate one of the additional seats to the executive director of the Commission on LGBTQ Youth or a designee, and would designate the other additional seat to an individual with past juvenile justice involvement from a list provided by Kiva Centers and the Parent/Professional Advocacy League.
“I am thrilled to see my juvenile justice legislation pass through the Senate so we can ensure this critical board will have a voice representing LGBTQ youth and give more voice to individuals with lived experience in the juvenile justice system,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett. “LGBTQ youth are more likely to be seriously mistreated by others in the juvenile justice system, face excessive punishments, and are at higher risk of being rejected by their families and harassed in school settings. It is absolutely essential that we have someone from the LGBTQ community helping advise state agencies on how we can best support these youth.”
Allow consumers to use insurance adjusters (S 785)
The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to the House legislation that would prohibit an insurance company from including in an insurance policy a rule prohibiting the insured from hiring or using a public insurance adjuster or a public insurance adjusting firm.
“When a family loses a home to a fire or a flood, they are living through the worst time of their lives, and they may need the expertise of an insurance adjuster to help understand their own policy and the claims process,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem. “Massachusetts has utilized licensed public insurance adjusters for more than a century, and having public adjusters at our side, works. I filed this bill so that families in Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem — and across the commonwealth — decide who stands with them when they file a claim, to get the best outcomes they deserve.”
Legion of Merit license plate (H 5529)
The Transportation Committee held a hearing on a bill that would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to establish a Legion of Merit license plate bearing the words “Legion of Merit Recipient,” to be given at no cost to recipients of the National Legion of Merit Award — a highly prestigious military decoration awarded to qualifying service members of all eight uniformed services and to foreign dignitaries who have distinguished themselves through exceptionally meritorious conduct. The surviving spouse of a deceased Legion of Merit recipient may also retain the plate until he or she remarries or fails to renew the registration.
Rep. Todd Smola, R-Warren, the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his proposal.