Legislature Passes Police Reform Legislation
Senate President Karen E. Spilka voted to pass An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth. The legislation represents the most comprehensive and intentional legislative response to incidents involving police practices in Massachusetts communities. It creates an independent, civilian-led commission to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers, bans the use of chokeholds, limits the use of deadly force, creates a duty to intervene for police officers when witnessing another officer using force beyond what is necessary or reasonable under the circumstances, and takes steps to break the school-to-prison pipeline. It also creates a first-in-the-nation statewide moratorium on biometric surveillance systems, which include facial recognition technology.
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Senate Ways and Means Releases FY 2021 Budget Recommendations
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means announced a $45.985 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). The Committee’s budget is a responsible and balanced plan that ensures fiscal stability and recommends targeted investments to protect access to core essential services, address urgent needs, and support efforts to build an equitable recovery for the Commonwealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Senate Passes Bill to Require Insurance Coverage for Children with PANS/PANDAS
On October 29, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation that would mandate insurance coverage for children with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndromes (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). The bill, An Act relative to insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS, would ensure that children with PANS or PANDAS receive optimal care by helping patients and their families access specialized diagnostic tests and effective treatments.
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Senate President Karen Spilka nominates Lykan Bioscience for Manufacturer of the Year
On October 14, 2020, Massachusetts State Senate President Karen E. Spilka nominated Hopkinton-based Lykan Bioscience for a ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award, part of a series of awards given by the state legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus to companies across the state to promote “Made in Massachusetts.” These awards recognize companies across the Commonwealth which support outstanding innovation in the field of manufacturing.
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Legislation to Extend Unemployment Benefits to 17,000 Low-Income Recipients Signed Into Law
On Monday, October 26, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives passed An Act relative to additional unemployment benefits for the neediest recipients currently excluded from the Lost Wages Assistance program, which Governor Charlie Baker then signed into law.
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Senate Passes Legislation Ensuring Safe Patient Access to Emergency Care
On October 20, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate passed An Act to ensure safe patient access to emergency care, also known as “Laura’s Law,” in memory of Somerville resident Laura Beth Levis, who died in 2016 from an asthma attack just steps from an emergency-room door.
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Legislature Enacts $1.8 Billion Bond Bill to Strengthen the Commonwealth’s Information Technology & Physical Infrastructure
Invests in food security, education, public safety accountability
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Senate President Spilka, State and Local Leaders Announce COVID-19 Testing in South Framingham
Free pop-up test site responds to virus spread in underserved communities
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Senate Passes General Government, IT Bond Bill Conference Committee Report
The Massachusetts State Senate passed a General Government, IT Bond Bill Conference Committee Report early Saturday, August 1, 2020 which authorizes $1.8 billion in investments to modernize the Commonwealth’s general government infrastructure.
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Senate Passes Bill to Increase Reporting Requirements for Department of Children and Families
Also establishes a Foster Parent Bill of Rights and Increases Access to Mental Health Care
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Senate Advances Maternal Health Package
Legislation establishes commissions to study barriers to substance use treatment and address racial inequities in maternal mortality and morbidity; provides licensure for certified professional midwives
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Senate Passes Bill to Criminalize Female Genital Mutilation
The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday, July 30, 2020 unanimously passed legislation to criminalize the practice of female genital mutilation and cutting, also known as FGM/C.
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Senate Passes Genocide Education Bill
Establishes the Genocide Education Trust Fund to educate students on the history of genocide
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Senate Passes Bill to Limit the Use of Step Therapy
On Thursday, July 30, 2020, the Massachusetts State Senate passed legislation to limit the use of step therapy, or ‘fail-first’ protocols that too often direct patients to cheaper medications rather than those more suitable to treat their condition.
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Senate President Spilka Announces Local Aid and Chapter 70 Funding Commitment for Fiscal Year 2021
Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) announced today that the Senate, House and Administration agreed to an unrestricted local aid and chapter 70 funding commitment that provides a baseline amount for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21).
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Senate Passes ENDURE Act to Provide Relief and to Small Businesses, Support for Workers, and Investments in Infrastructure
Bill authorizes $455 million to provide relief to communities and stimulate economic development
in an effort to combat devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
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Massachusetts Legislature Passes Breakfast After the Bell Legislation
On Tuesday, July 29, 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation to fight childhood hunger and boost participation rates in school breakfast programs in schools with high percentages of students from low-income families in the Commonwealth.
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Senate Approves Commission to Revise or Redesign Massachusetts Seal and Motto
The Massachusetts State Senate on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 passed legislation that would establish a commission to study and redesign the Massachusetts state seal and motto in an effort to make it more inclusive and historically representational.
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Senate Passes Bill to Increase Higher Education Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Honoring the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
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Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance Stroke Care System
Legislation will help lead to better care and treatment for individuals suffering from stroke
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