Transcript Highlights:

• in the city of Lowell, came from the Senate with the endorsement that it has been referred under suspension
• Suspension of Joint Rule 12 to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
• Representative O'Leary of Lakeville moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.
• on the premises house number 5342 local approval received representative oral of Lakeville moves suspension

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a Senate message referring a petition on certain property in Lowell to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, which the House concurred in after a suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then recommended several bills for consideration, including measures on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, security bonds, police officer age requirements in Worcester and Boston, a Somerville net-zero building standard, waivers of police age limits, pre-employment medical record retention for Peabody public safety personnel, smart meters, and an additional alcohol license for Bridgewater; Rule 7A was suspended and the bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading. The House also welcomed former Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien as a guest of Speaker Mariano. Two engrossed bills were then taken up: House No. 4259, designating the Wheeler Park Tennis Courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, for which the emergency preamble was adopted by a 9-0 vote and the bill was passed to be enacted; and House No. 4602, changing the membership of the select board in Monson, which was also passed to be enacted. Finally, the House received a gubernatorial message recommending legislation on Massachusetts winning global investment, talent, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The House adopted an order to meet again Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned in formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wong moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed, nay.
• Wong moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.
• Question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.
• Gabbily-Ellington moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. On motions to suspend the rules, it adopted an order extending until March 18, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Community Development and Small Business, and it also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow referral of two petitions: one on medication administration in rest homes to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and one on concealment of the death of a child born out of wedlock to the Judiciary Committee. The House also suspended Rule 7A to proceed with scheduling and consideration of bills. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended several bills for House consideration, including measures designating Building Trades Recovery Week, providing accidental death benefits for the surviving spouse of a former Boston firefighter, recess requirements for elementary and middle school students, reporting of satisfaction of money judgments, age-waiver legislation for police applicants in Boston and Haverhill, and a bill on advertising for justices of the peace. The House ordered these bills to a third reading after second reading, and separately passed House No. 4502, amending the Town Manager Act of Arlington, to be enacted. The House then took up third-reading bills and passed House No. 4740, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and House No. 4817, authorizing Pembroke to grant an additional off-premises alcohol license, both to be engrossed. It also considered House No. 5014, establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix of the Department of Transitional Assistance; an amendment was adopted to revise the bill’s language and add an emergency preamble, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed as amended. The session concluded with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Circulators for these local initiatives would be prohibited from receiving payment based on the number
• that if serious active violence occurs on the premises, the licensee is not subject to license suspension
• that if serious active violence occurs on the premises, the licensee is not subject to license suspension
• The licensee is not subject to license suspension if the act of violence results from the concealed handgun
• But we don't want a missed payment to criminalize somebody who's poor.

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we also see language on page six where it would prevent a suspension or withholding of payments
• ><c> basically</c> withhold of payments until basically withhold of payments until basically there's<
• </c> uh misuse, abuse, fraudulent payments uh misuse, abuse, fraudulent payments that<02:35:47.640><c
• And I just heard from an ICF there was a glitch in the payments and their payments are delayed 2 weeks
• </c><03:14:33.520><c> delayed</c> payments and their payments are delayed payments and their payments

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, board staff processed applications and credit card payments manually, including one employee
• 40-hour work week manually processing credit card payments.
• As for the amount of that incentive payment, I...
• And as of federal fiscal year 2024, the department's improper payment rate was approximately 8.8%.
• So, as a result, reducing the department's payment... ...the highest match rate of 15%.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• So one of the things our district has been using is rather than suspension going home, is suspension
• What if you are escorting a child to the office or you're going to have an in-school suspension?
• If the student is around other educators... school suspension.
• So they're not truly... doing in suspension is that there is interaction with that child.
• So this really is... ...not about in-school suspension or detention or moving a student to a room by

Summary: The committee opened by explaining that several bills had been removed from the agenda because the Senate must physically possess a bill before holding a public hearing. The chair said the missing bills would be rescheduled for Tuesday. The committee then waived the five-day notice rule for considering substitute House Bills 1705 and 32010, and proceeded to hear substitute House Bill 2219 and substitute House Bill 1795. House Bill 2219, on child care operational efficiency, would allow longer mixed-age ratio periods in child care centers, waive repeat DCYF orientation requirements in certain cases when staff have recently completed the same training, and require licensing standards to include a zero-tolerance policy for imminent physical harm involving high-potency synthetic opioids and related drug residue or paraphernalia. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would help child care providers manage staffing shortages, take breaks, and reduce duplicative licensing burdens. Testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates and providers describing the bill as a low-cost way to improve retention and flexibility. Questions focused on how the fentanyl language would apply to prescribed medications. House Bill 1795 would narrow and update state law on restraint and isolation in public schools and other public educational programs. The bill prohibits mechanical and chemical restraints and restraints that restrict breathing or blood flow, bars planned isolation in IEPs and 504 plans, limits planned restraint to cases with parent request and medical necessity, and prohibits new construction or remodeling of spaces intended primarily for student isolation. Supporters, including disability advocates, educators, school psychologists, principals, and state education groups, said the bill is a needed step toward reducing trauma and disproportionality and cited demonstration sites showing reductions in restraint and isolation. Some educators and paraeducators raised concerns about staffing, training, and what tools remain available in crisis situations, while others asked for future work on professional development and resources. No vote was taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wong of Saugus moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• Wong of Saugus moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
• Question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
• Wong of Saugus moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? No.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several reports from the Committee on Rules. It adopted a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including recognitions for All Out Adventures, Alex Gillen, Marianne Labarge, the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation, and Sergeant Christopher McDermott. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of two petitions, including one on Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System creditable service and another to designate a portion of Route 20 in Oxford as the Brodor Curve. The Committee on Steering and Policy recommended a number of bills for House consideration, including measures on insurance benefits for certain Blackstone officials, highway namings in Lenox and for Bill Russell and Bob Cousy, container safety, coal rolling, right-of-way violations known as Cecilia’s Law, recognition of the Honor and Remember flag, several Boston Police age-waiver bills, a Pittsfield charter amendment, and a littering bill. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then took up engrossed and third-reading bills, passing several to be engrossed, including measures for Beckett and Swampscott, a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Angela C. DePena, a civil service examination bill for Anthony Morales, a Westrow charter bill, and a Revere ordinance enforcement bill. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of the rules.
• Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of the rules.
• The first question is on suspension of Rule 35. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of Rule 7A.

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions, including recognition of the Melanoma Action Coalition, 411 directory assistance workers, the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day observance, and Frank and Alice Susky’s 80th wedding anniversary. Members also adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424 to June 12, 2026. The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. The House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended rules to advance local bills, including a Somerset bill allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill authorizing continued employment of two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed several local bills on final action, including measures for Dartmouth liquor licenses and the Westwood charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, creating an attainable housing trust in Harwich, establishing an affordable housing trust fund in West H... (West H...bury), and regulating vacancy filling on the Marlboro City Council. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Garballey-Wonlington moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Question now is on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.
• Meridian of Grafton moved suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.
• Meridian-Agrafton moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.

Summary: The House convened, suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition by Mark J. Cusack concerning military credible service for judges, and referred it to the Committee on Public Service. The House then took up several local bills, including measures for Harwich affordable housing, a Charlemont tax on commercial recreation services, a Millis senior property tax exemption for school building construction projects, and Falmouth funding for low-pressure pumps in future sewer service areas. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered those bills to a third reading. The chamber also passed to be engrossed several bills on third reading: designating a Hopkinton bridge as the Major General Frank D. Merrill Memorial Bridge, amending the Nantucket town charter, creating a disability-related real property exemption in Swampscott, amending Arlington’s means-tested senior property tax exemption, and revising the Town of Reading Home Rule Charter. No objections were raised during these actions, and the bills advanced unanimously by voice vote. The House then considered House No. 5348, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill reported by Ways and Means with a total appropriation of $300 million. The House suspended the rules, ordered the bill to a third reading, passed it to be engrossed, and then approved it on final passage by the required separate constitutional vote, with three members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative. The House also adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question on the suspension of Joint Rule 12. The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.
• Question out comes in suspension of joint rule 12.
• relative to access to applied behavior analysis services in schools, comes from the House under the suspension
• The question comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution offered by Senator Comerford recognizing Russell Carrier’s 44 years of service to the Forbes Library. It then took up several local bills, including the Provincetown charter bill, which was passed to be engrossed, and the Greenfield charter bill, which was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition related to updating Massachusetts student transportation, referring the matter to the Committees on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The chamber then enacted two bills: one increasing the age limit for retired police officers serving as special police officers in Weston, and another dissolving a special fund in Athol. A House petition concerning access to applied behavior analysis services in schools was received under suspension of Joint Rule 12 and referred to the Committee on Education. The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in a formal session. Later, the Senate adopted an order extending the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries’ reporting deadline on Senate Document 58, concerning oyster shell recycling, until January 23, 2026. The Senate then agreed to adjourn in memory of Manuel B. Barros, with a lengthy tribute describing his life, family, faith, and community service, observed a moment of silence, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• with other child care payments.
• payments on top of our prior reimbursement rates.
• rate levels while adhering to the cost of care plus regional payment structure.
• But we are generally making timely payments to providers. Dr.
• That is not making those payments within that 21-day window.

Transcript Highlights:

• first agenda item of the day, which is Assembly Bill 52, which revises provisions relating to the payment
• Under Georgia's state law, insurers must process payments within 15 working days after receiving clean
• With the advent of electronic claim submission and payment, the extended delay in processing of claims
• care providers and insureds under health insurance policies of certain information relating to the payment
• Section 30: suspension hearing and reinstatement process.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Our suspensions, as I mentioned, they're called dampening suspensions, so as the product travels over
• That's what a suspension is for.
• Our suspensions, as I mentioned, they're called dampening suspensions, so as the product travels over
• That's what a suspension is for.
• </c><01:07:32.079><c> as</c> allow you to do that our suspensions as allow you to do that our suspensions

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• with other child care payments.
• payments on top of our prior reimbursement rates.
• rate levels while adhering to the cost-of-care-plus regional payment structure.
• But we are generally making timely payments to providers.
• But we are generally making timely payments to providers. Dr.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees on early childhood education heard a broad review of the Governor’s child care and preschool budget proposals, with testimony from the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The main topics were cost-of-care-plus and COLA adjustments, the California State Preschool Program, child care slot reductions tied to federal and Proposition 64 funding changes, disaster recovery grants for child care facilities, trailer bill proposals on family fees and absences, prospective pay, and several budget change proposals for departmental staffing and licensing. Officials also discussed the state’s transition toward an alternative methodology for setting rates based on the true cost of care. On rate reform, CDSS and CDE said the current reimbursement system remains below the alternative methodology in many counties and that providers continue to struggle with recruitment and retention. The LAO recommended aligning cost-of-care-plus increases across provider types, while CDE urged that any COLA be added to base rates rather than cost-of-care-plus payments because providers view the latter as less ongoing. CDSS said the next alternative methodology update will be developed with a contractor during fiscal year 2026-27, with public engagement and legislative input, and estimated that fully transitioning to rates informed by the methodology would take about 24 months once policy and funding are in place. CDSS also said the direct-service cost of care under the methodology was estimated at about $18.7 billion in a July 2025 report. A major point of contention was the proposed reduction of 4,167 child care slots due to lower federal CCDF funding and reduced Proposition 64 revenue. CDSS said it expects to absorb the reduction through unspent funds and relinquishments so currently enrolled children are not disrupted, while the LAO supported the reduction as a way to avoid worsening the structural deficit. Members strongly objected to the slot cuts, arguing the administration has repeatedly proposed reductions after prior budget agreements and emphasizing the economic and family benefits of child care. The committee also discussed preschool enrollment trends, including growth in three-year-old enrollment and a sharp increase in two-year-olds served under a temporary provision, with CDE warning that the temporary two-year-old authority expires in 2027. The committee also reviewed an $11.5 million Proposition 64 proposal for child care infrastructure grants for facilities impacted by 2025 state disasters, especially the Los Angeles fires, and members asked for trailer bill language to make the funds flexible for repairs, equipment, insurance, and permitting. On trailer bill items, the panel discussed codifying family fee reimbursement rules, defining excessive unexplained absences to allow disenrollment after prolonged nonuse, and expanding temporary provider absences; CDSS said the absence policy is meant to mirror federal CCDF rules, while CDE said it is already pursuing its own rulemaking. The hearing also covered prospective pay, with CDSS and CDE saying they are waiting for final federal guidance before moving ahead; LAO said the state could save ongoing costs if the federal requirement is rescinded. Finally, the committee reviewed staffing and support budget requests for CDSS and other implementation items, and held several items open for further discussion before the May Revision. Public comment overwhelmingly urged full funding for child care slots, true cost-of-care payments, and ongoing support for early education programs and county offices of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wangasagas moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• Wangasagas moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• Wangasagas moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• Wangasagas moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no. The ayes have it.

Summary: The House first adopted a series of congratulatory and honorary resolutions, including recognitions for Renee Spencer, several Eagle Scouts, the Italian Consulate in Boston for Italian National Day, and the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary. It also adopted an order extending until December 31, 2026, the time for the Committee on Health Care Financing to report on certain House documents. The House then considered the FY2027 appropriations bill (House No. 5501) returned from the Senate with a full substitute amendment. The House voted not to concur and instead appointed a committee of conference, naming Representatives Mikelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Smola of Warren on the House side. The chamber also advanced several local bills from the steering policy and scheduling report, including measures on police age requirements in Bradford G. Merkel, Beverly, Stoneham, Newton, Monterey, Norwood, and Westfield, as well as a Westford digital legal notices bill. Several bills were ordered to third reading or passed to be engrossed, including the Tewksbury charter change on the town manager residency requirement, the Monterey police employment bill, the Norwood special police bill, and the Bridgewater alcohol license bill. House No. 5288, authorizing Westfield to establish an age limit for firefighter appointments, was amended to add an immediate effective date before being passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to reconvene Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Wangasog has moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Barbara Senator will move suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
• Representative Wangasog moved suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.
• Representative Wangasog moved suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.

Summary: The House took up several committee reports and local bills, first adopting a resolution commending Hope and Comfort, Inc. for Hygiene Insecurity Awareness Week and then approving an extension for the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to report on pending House documents. The chamber also advanced two local matters to third reading: a bill relocating harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor and a bill authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer. The House then acted on a series of bills on final passage or engrossment. It adopted the emergency preamble and passed a sick leave bank bill for Paul Starvowski of the Department of Correction, enacted a bill expanding the select board in Weston, and enacted a bill exempting certain affordable housing and branch library space in Dorchester from public enforcement. It also passed to engrossment a bill allowing Acton to increase the residency limit for police and fire personnel. Several Bridgewater-related bills were amended and advanced: a bill establishing an annual stipend for the Bridgewater City Council was amended to require local acceptance before taking effect and then passed to engrossment as amended; a bill on temporary absence of the town manager was also amended and passed to engrossment as amended; and a sick leave bank bill for Kathleen Rodericks was amended to add an emergency preamble and strike Section 2 before passing to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House enacted the Paul Starvowski sick leave bank bill, adopted an order to meet the following Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wong asks unanimous suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• Wong asks unanimous suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• Question is on suspension of Joint Rule 12. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
• Wong asks unanimous suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wangasagas moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• Juan Gavsaga moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no.
• Wongasaga moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no. The ayes have it.
• Wangosagas moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; opposed, no. The ayes have it.

Summary: The House first adopted a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including honors for Renee Spencer, several Eagle Scouts, the Italian Consulate in Boston for Italian National Day, and the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary. It also adopted an order extending until December 31, 2026, the time for the Committee on Health Care Financing to report on current House documents. The House then took up a Senate amendment to House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill. The House voted not to concur in the Senate’s amendment and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference; the House conferees named were Representatives Mikelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Smola of Warren. The chamber also advanced several local and personnel bills, including measures on police age requirements and appointments, a Beverly police chief continuation, Westford digital legal notices, a Tewksbury town manager residency requirement, a Monterey police officer continuation, a Norwood special police officer measure, a Bridgewater alcohol license, and a Westfield firefighter age limit. Most were ordered to third reading, engrossed, or enacted; the Westfield bill was amended to take effect upon passage before being engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We project with the passage of this bill that the portion of the fare that will be dedicated to payment
• Amendment 4 and 11 authorize the commissioner, in lieu of suspension or revocation of a license, to levy
• Doctors are just looking for a fair payment in a reasonable amount of time.
• They can't look at government payment rates.
• It focuses strictly on reimbursement and payment terms, where states have clear authority.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The question now comes on referring the matter to the suspension of Rule 12. I don't know 12.
• Paper from the House: the motion comes on suspension of General Rule 12.
• Question comes on suspension of General Rule 12. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• The question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12. The chair has it. All in favor say aye.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including one honoring Thomas Dayhill on his 100th birthday. The chamber also took up a petition and bill to promote safety of dogs in kennels; after suspending the applicable rules, the matter was referred to the Municipalities and Regional Government Committee. In addition, the Senate advanced a House bill establishing a sick leave bank for a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office employee, ordering it to a third reading after suspending the rules. The Senate later welcomed the Hingham girls crew team, recognizing them as the 2025 Massachusetts Public School Rowing Association Spring State Champions. The introduction highlighted the team’s season, including early-morning practices, weather-related cancellations, and their championship performance in difficult conditions, and members were invited to congratulate the athletes. The Committee on Ways and Means reported a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, Senate No. 2529, with direct appropriations of $532,508. The Senate adopted an order setting the bill for second reading on June 18, 2025, with amendments due electronically by June 16, and providing for immediate third reading after amendment. The Senate also adopted a resolution designating August 9 and 10, 2025 as a sales tax holiday, and referred a petition concerning accidental death benefits for the surviving spouse of former Boston firefighter Matthew M. Troy to the Committee on Public Service after suspending Joint Rule 12. The chamber then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.