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MASSACHUSETTS NOW
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2007-2008
Legislation Mass. NOW Supports
House Bill 597
Title An Act Providing Health Education in Schools.
Summary This legislation would make health education a part of the core curriculum in Massachusetts public schools. Schools would be required to teach age appropriate, and medically accurate, health education in grades K-12. By adding health education to the core curriculum, all students in public education will learn about important subjects such as, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, safety and injury prevention, reproduction and sexuality, substance abuse, and violence prevention. Health education will not be included on the MCAS, and this bill will not interfere with a parent’s right to opt their child out of any part of sex education.
Sponsor Representative Alice K. Wolf
Status: Sent to Study
History 01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Education
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
04/05/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JED - 05/29/2007 1:00 PM A-1
02/11/2008 - H Accompanied study order Joint Committee on Education
03/13/2008 - H Accompanied study order, see HB4601 2007-01-10 - H Filed
House Bill 1869/ Senate Bill 1070
Title An Act Further Defining Comparable Work
Summary This legislation clarifies the meaning of comparable work as “solely based on whether the two positions entail comparable skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions between employees of the opposite sex”. This legislation assists in ensuring that women are being paid equally for the same or comparable work.
House Sponsor Representative Alice K. Wolf
Senate Sponsor: Senator Patricia Jehlen
Status Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
House Bill History: 01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
02/01/2008 - Hearing Scheduled JLW - 02/13/2008 10:00 AM B-2
Senate Bill History: 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
05/24/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JLW - 06/13/2007 10:00 AM B-1
House Bill 989
Title: An Act Providing for Certain Standards in Health Care Insurance Coverage
Summary: This critical legislation will require health insurance companies to provide comprehensive coverage for the treatment of eating disorders. When the Mental Health Parity law passed the legislature in 2000, it listed biologically based mental illnesses that would receive insurance coverage equal to coverage for physical disorders. Eating Disorders were left off that list, despite the fact that anorexia is the deadliest of all mental illnesses. Of the 11 million people in the United States diagnosed with an eating disorder, approximately 90 percent of them are women.
Sponsor: Representative Kay Khan
Status: Sent to Study
History: 01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
09/27/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JFS - 10/31/2007 1:00 PM A-1
02/12/2008 - H Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Financial Services
02/27/2008 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
04/30/2008 - H Accompanied study order
05/15/2008 - H Accompanied study order, see HB4749
House Bill 1722
Title An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes
Summary This legislation will add gender identity and expression to the categories protected by Massachusetts’ non-discrimination laws. Gender identity and expression will be added to the state’s hate crime laws, as well as to education, public accommodations, credit, housing and employment non-discrimination laws. This bill ensures that transgender people are fully protected by the laws of our state.
Sponsor Representative Carl M. Sciortino
Status Study Order
History :01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
01/11/2008 - Hearing Scheduled JJU - 03/04/2008 1:00 PM A-1
03/19/2008 - H Accompanied study order Joint Committee on Judiciary
House Bill 2826/ Senate 2386
Title An Act to authorize the human resources division to undertake a study of the state's job classification system.
Summary This legislation will require the human resources division of the state to complete a study on the state-job classification system and make necessary changes. The state job classification system has not been updated in over twenty years. Due to this, there is a lack of pay equity because some jobs are not being given enough weight. Also, by re-classifying jobs, the state could retain more young people in the state through updating the job descriptions and qualifications. This legislation also includes the creation of a State Workforce Advisory Council who will assist the chief of human resources in undertaking these job analyses. The results of this report will be released on June 1, 2010.
House Sponsor Representative Alice K. Wolf
Senate Sponsor: Senator Harriet Chandler
Status House Committee on Ethics and Rules
House Bill History 01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Public Service
04/19/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JPSR - 07/26/2007 10:30 AM B-2
10/04/2007 - H Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Public Service
10/09/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Rules
03/18/2008 - H Discharged and referred to House Committee on Rules
Senate Bill History: 10/29/2007 - S New draft of bill, see SB1858
10/29/2007 - S Ordered to a third reading
10/30/2007 - S Passed to be engrossed
11/01/2007 - H Received in the House
11/01/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Rules
03/18/2008 - H Discharged and referred to House Committee on Rules
Senate Bill 102
Title Requiring Immunization of Children Against Human Pampilloma Virus
Summary This legislation will require that all female children be immunized against Human Pampilloma Virus (HPV) prior to entering the sixth grade. For those female children eligible, the state would cover the cost of the immunization. The HPV vaccine, also known as Gardasil, is proven to prevent certain kinds of cervical cancer that are caused by HPV. The vaccine is effective against four different strands of HPV, including the ones that cause the most cervical cancers. Of the strands, two of them cause 70% of cervical cancer worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, 11,000 women within the United States are annually diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV. Of those 11,000 women, 4,000 will die as a result of the cancer. This vaccine can significantly reduce the number of women who die from cervical cancer each year in Massachusetts. By mandating the vaccine for all female children, we are ensuring that in the future fewer women will have to suffer from a preventable cancer.
Sponsor Senator Richard T. Moore
Status Sent to Study Order
History 01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Children and Families
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
03/29/2007 - S Discharged and referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
04/02/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
05/02/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JHC - 07/11/2007 1:00 PM B-1
01/23/2008 - S Accompanied study order
02/25/2008 - S Accompanied study order, see SB2508
House Bill 901/Senate Bill 622
Title An Act Relative to Equitable Coverage for Annuity Policies
Summary This legislation would mandate that any state-regulated annuity policies sold in Massachusetts, or to any Massachusetts resident be gender-neutral in the terms and conditions of contract; benefits; and premiums. An annuity is a contract with an insurance company in which the buyer makes a premium payment and the insurer agrees to a future payout as either: a lump sum or as income for life or for a fixed period. An annuity is not a life or health insurance plan, or a savings account. They are mostly purchased to supplement a retirement income. Under the current status quo, women have to pay higher premiums in order to receive the same payouts as men; or women pay the same premium and receive a smaller payout. This is due to the belief that women live longer then men, when in fact 84% of men and women die around the same time. Only approximately 8% of women die later than men. These kinds of practices contribute to the feminization of poverty, especially among older women. In Massachusetts, a woman’s retirement benefits are, on average, only half the size of a man’s. This important legislation will help eliminate this gender discrimination in the insurance industry.
House Sponsor Representative Ruth Balser
Senate Sponsor: Senate President Therese Murray
Status Laid before the Governor
House Bill History: 01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
09/21/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JFS - 10/10/2007 1:00 PM B-2
02/12/2008 - H Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Financial Services
03/04/2008 - H Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
07/22/2008 - H Accompanied bill, see SB2729
Senate Bill History: 06/04/2008 - S New draft of bill, see SB622
06/04/2008 - S Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Financial Services
06/04/2008 - S Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
06/09/2008 - S Reported favorably by Senate Committee on Ways and Means
06/09/2008 - S Ordered to a third reading
06/11/2008 - Senate Session SS - 06/12/2008 1:00 PM Senate Chamber
06/12/2008 - S Passed to be engrossed
06/16/2008 - H Received in the House
06/16/2008 - H Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
07/22/2008 - H Reported favorably as amended by House Committee on Ways and Means by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text contained in a duplicate of HB901
07/22/2008 - H Referred to House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling with the amendment pending
07/22/2008 - H Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
07/22/2008 - House Session HS - 07/23/2008 11:00 AM House Chamber
07/23/2008 - H Withdrawn (House Ways and Means amendment)
07/23/2008 - H Ordered to a third reading
07/23/2008 - H Passed to be engrossed (116/36)
07/24/2008 - H Enacted by the House
07/24/2008 - S Enacted by the Senate
07/24/2008 - G Laid before the Governor
Senate Bill 737
Title An Act Relative to Establishing a Campus Rape and Sexual Assault Prevention Advisory Council
Summary This legislation would direct the Board of Higher Education to create a Campus Rape and Sexual Assault Prevention Advisory Council that would establish uniform guidelines and provide support for state institutions of higher education and campus organizations that assist rape and sexual assault victims. The Board of Higher Education will oversee the advisory council and will invite various members of the college community, from administrators to students working with rape and sexual assault survivors, to be members on the council.
Sponsor Senator Pamela P. Resor
Status: House Committee on Ways and Means
History 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
03/23/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JHE - 10/02/2007 11:00 AM A-2
10/18/2007 - S Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Higher Education
10/18/2007 - S Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
03/18/2008 - S Amendment(s) adopted (Senate Committee on Ways and Means)
03/18/2008 - S Ordered to a third reading
03/18/2008 - Senate Session SS - 03/20/2008 1:00 PM Senate Chamber
03/20/2008 - S Postponed until next session
03/26/2008 - Senate Session SS - 03/27/2008 1:00 PM Senate Chamber
03/27/2008 - S Passed to be engrossed
03/31/2008 - H Received in the House
03/31/2008 - H Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Senate Bill 800
Title An Act Concerning Marriage Laws
Summary This legislation will repeal several sections of the Massachusetts General Laws that, in essence, prevent out-of-state residents from getting married in Massachusetts. It repeals those provisions that would prohibit a couple from another state from getting married here, even if their marriage would be null and void in their home state. By repealing these provisions, even those couples whose marriage would be voided in their home countries would be allowed to marry in Massachusetts.
Sponsor Senator Jarrett T. Barrios
Status: Ordered to a Third Reading in the House
History 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
01/11/2008 - Hearing Scheduled JJU - 03/04/2008 1:00 PM A-1
03/19/2008 - S Accompanied study order Joint Committee on Judiciary
05/01/2008 - S Accompanied study order, see SB2632
07/14/2008 - S Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
07/14/2008 - S Ordered to a third reading
07/14/2008 - Senate Session SS - 07/15/2008 1:00 PM Senate Chamber
07/15/2008 - S Passed to be engrossed
07/15/2008 - H Received in the House
07/15/2008 - H Referred to House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling
07/22/2008 - H Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
07/22/2008 - House Session HS - 07/23/2008 11:00 AM House Chamber
07/23/2008 - H Ordered to a third reading
07/23/2008 - House Session HS - 07/24/2008 11:00 AM House Chamber
Senate Bill 831
Title An Act Relative to Public Health
Summary This legislation would repeal several archaic laws that have unconstitutional and unenforceable restrictions on abortion and contraceptives. These laws include a prohibition of abortion, of advertising contraceptive and abortion, of selling contraceptives or abortion services. The bill would also remove the word “married” from a law that restricts the purchasing and use of contraceptives exclusively to married couples.
Sponsor Senator Harriette L. Chandler
Status Joint Committee on Judiciary
History 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
01/11/2008 - Hearing Scheduled JJU - 03/04/2008 1:00 PM A-1
03/19/2008 - S Accompanied study order Joint Committee on Judiciary
Senate Bill 1073/ House Bill 1803
Title Establishing Paid Sick Days
Summary This legislation would entitle all employees in Massachusetts 7 days of paid sick days each year. These paid sick days could also be used for care of a sick child, parent or spouse. The bill also authorizes employers to require certification of illness when 3 or more paid sick days are taken consecutively. In addition, up to 7 unused paid sick days can be carried over to the next year. Those employers who are already providing 7 or more paid sick days are already in compliance with this legislation. This bill could provide those workers who do not receive paid sick days the opportunity to care for themselves and their loved one when they are ill.
Senate Sponsor Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
House Sponsor: Representative Kay Khan
Status : Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules
Senate Bill History 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
10/12/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JLW - 11/06/2007 10:00 AM B-2
04/07/2008 - S Note: Extended until 4/18/08
04/22/2008 - S Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (carrying HB1803)
05/05/2008 - S Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
05/06/2008 - S Discharged and referred to Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules
House Bill History: 01/10/2007 - H Filed
01/10/2007 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
01/10/2007 - S Senate concurred in committee referral
10/12/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JLW - 11/06/2007 10:00 AM B-2
04/07/2008 - H Note: Extended until 4/18/08
04/22/2008 - H Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (attached to SB1073)
Senate Bill 1353
Title An Act Relative to Public Safety
Summary This legislation, also known as the “Buffer Zone Law”, would establish a 35-foot buffer zone around the entrances and exits to all reproductive health facilities in Massachusetts. The current Buffer Zone law only allows for an 18-foot buffer zone outside clinics, and includes vague language about also keeping a 6-foot zone around any entering or exiting patient or staff member, but that zone can be entered with consent of the person. The language is so vague, that many judges and prosecutors find it difficult to charge anyone with violating this law. This bill will help further protect the staff and patients of reproductive health facilities in the state.
Sponsor Senator Jarrett T. Barrios
Status Signed by Governor and Made into Law
History 01/10/2007 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
01/10/2007 - S Filed
01/10/2007 - H House concurred in committee referral
04/25/2007 - Hearing Scheduled JPSF - 05/16/2007 10:00 AM B-2
10/22/2007 - S Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
10/22/2007 - S Referred to Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules
10/23/2007 - S Amendment(s) adopted (Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules)
10/23/2007 - S Ordered to a third reading
10/23/2007 - S Passed to be engrossed
10/25/2007 - H Received in the House
10/25/2007 - H Referred to House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling
10/31/2007 - H House Session HS - 11/01/2007 11:00 AM House Chamber
10/31/2007 - H Placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
11/01/2007 - H Ordered to a third reading
11/01/2007 - H Committee report accepted
11/01/2007 - H Amendment(s) adopted (Committee on Bills Third Reading - Striking out Section 1)
11/01/2007 - H Amendment(s) adopted (Rep. Costello)
11/01/2007 - H Passed to be engrossed (122/28)
11/07/2007 - H House concurred in Senate amendment(s)
11/05/2007 - S Further amendment(s) adopted (Chandler - inserting an emergency preamble)
11/05/2007 - S Senate concurred in House amendment(s) as amended
11/07/2007 - H House emergency preamble adopted (65/22)
11/08/2007 - S Senate emergency preamble adopted (2/0)
11/08/2007 - H Enacted by the House
11/08/2007 - S Enacted by the Senate
11/08/2007 - G Laid before the Governor
11/13/2007 - G Signed by the Governor
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Senate Bill 1353
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