The Massachusetts State Senate passed a reorganization plan to create a state Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, a cabinet-level position which will assist the Commonwealth with meeting its long-term goals in addressing the housing crisis and expanding safe, accessible, and affordable housing for residents.
Read MoreThe Senate passed a bill that includes bond authorizations for transportation needs across the state, including the state’s Chapter 90 program, which provides municipalities with a reliable funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed a $388.6 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation funds vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity, housing instability, the state’s long-term COVID-19 response, economic development, essential support services for incoming immigrants and refugees, and more. Notably, the bill extends initiatives first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as outdoor dining, remote public meeting access, and support for assisted living residences.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate passed a $368.7 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation funds vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity, housing instability, the state’s long-term COVID-19 response, economic development, essential support services for incoming immigrants and refugees, and more. Notably, the bill extends initiatives first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as outdoor dining, remote public meeting access, and support for assisted living residences.
Read MoreMassachusetts Governor Maura Healey ’98, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka ’80, Federal Defender for Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island Kyana Givens ’02 and US Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins ’97 were featured in the Winter 2023 issue of Northeastern Law.
Read MoreSenate President Karen Spilka, the third woman to be elected to the presidency of the Massachusetts State Senate, hosted a Galentine’s Day event on Monday, February 13, 2023 billed as a lighthearted evening of fun and stories to celebrate leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters who identify as women.
Read MoreOn February 9, 2023, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a comprehensive rules package updating the Senate and joint rules to incorporate the best practices learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. This package reflects the societal shift toward hybrid operations while building on the Senate’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and equity.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, January 4, 2023, Senator Karen Spilka was re-elected President of the Massachusetts State Senate after the Senators of the 193rd General Court were sworn in.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would support parents running for public office by recognizing childcare as a valid campaign expense.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation to prevent individuals who default on their student loans from having their license or professional certification revoked as a result.
Read MoreThe Legislature on passed legislation that protects open and public spaces throughout the Commonwealth and ensures their conservation for future generations. This legislation, known as the Public Land Preservation Act, permanently preserves and protects the amount of land designated as open spaces and prevents it from being used for other purposes.
Read MoreLeaders from MetroWest Medical Center and Tufts Medicine today announced continued progress in their plans to ensure that cancer services remain open in Framingham without any disruption to care in the community.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Legislature passed a wide-ranging $3.76 billion relief package to provide targeted energy assistance, support ongoing transportation needs, and invest in the state’s small businesses, caregivers, health care system, affordable housing, and efforts to fight climate change.
Read MoreThe Senate passed two bills to help people with disabilities live independently in Massachusetts. The first takes steps to ensure that people with physical disabilities who rely on wheelchairs are not stranded for long time periods in the event of the breakdown of an in-warranty wheelchair. The second recognizes supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship, allowing certain people with disabilities to retain greater decision-making power over their lives.
Read MoreThe Massachusetts Senate enacted 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.
Read MoreSenate President Spilka’s 55+ Fair: Health and Wellness for Active Agers and Those Who Love Them will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Keefe Regional Technical School (Keefe Tech), located at 750 Winter Street in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Read MoreLegislative leaders and advocates joined Governor Baker for the ceremonial bill signing of the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care, comprehensive legislation to continue the process of reforming the way mental health care is delivered in Massachusetts, with the goal of ensuring that people get the mental health care they need when they need it. The Governor officially signed this legislation into law on August 10, 2022.
Read MoreFollowing action by House and Senate lawmakers, An Act to Improve and Modernize the Information Technology Systems and Capacities of the Judiciary was signed into law this week. The legislation makes a once in 25-year investment in modernizing the technology and security of court houses across Massachusetts. Additionally, this bill responds to the controversial U.S. Supreme Court New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen decision by tightening Massachusetts safety standards to comply with the decision while ensuring that local police chiefs personally interview each applicant for a license to carry.
Read MoreThe Legislature passed the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care (ABC), comprehensive legislation to continue the process of reforming the way mental health care is delivered in Massachusetts, with the goal of ensuring that people get the mental health care they need when they need it. The Mental Health ABC Act is driven by the recognition that mental health is as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth and should be treated as such.
Read MoreThe Legislature passed legislation, An Act relative to equity in the cannabis industry, that encourages and facilitates participation in the cannabis industry from communities disproportionally harmed by marijuana criminalization by creating a Social Equity Trust Fund. The bill also strengthens the host community agreement process and clarifies procedures for permitting social consumption sites.
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