2007 - 2008 Legislative Accomplishments

TAX RELIEF

GROUP INSURANCE COMMISSION (GIC) FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 67 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In acknowledgment that the skyrocketing cost of providing health insurance to municipal workers has become a drain on the coffers of cities and towns across the Commonwealth, the House and Senate passed legislation to allow municipal workers and retirees to opt into the state government's Group Insurance Commission (GIC) healthcare plan, which will yield millions of dollars in savings to municipalities that can be used to provide much needed property tax reductions.

PENSION RESERVES INVESTMENT TRUST (PRIT) FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 68 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
Maintaining its commitment to cities and towns, the Legislature approved a bill to permit the state to take over poorly performing municipal pension systems, a measure that will provide significant savings to municipalities and help provide further property tax relief.

SALES TAX HOLIDAY
CHAPTER 81 OF THE ACTS OF 2007 and CHAPTER 211 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate provided consumers with a two day sales tax break in August of 2007 and again in August 2008 and delivered a shot-in-the-arm to businesses during otherwise slow weekends. By all reports, the "holidays" were successful for retailers and consumers.

PROPERTY TAX CLASSIFICATION
CHAPTER 169 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Legislature acted to reinstate the current property tax rate for businesses at 175% of residential rates in a further effort to help stem the rising tide of residential property tax rates.

DAIRY TAX CREDITS
CHAPTER 308 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To keep the Commonwealth's dairy farms thriving, the Legislature passed a bill to create a commission to analyze and recommend ways to update farming technology and create a dairy farmer tax credit program to boost sales through targeted marketing campaigns.

TAX AMENSTY
CHAPTER 461 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In an effort to reduce the budget deficit for fiscal year 2009, the legislature approved a two month tax amnesty program. Beginning at the end of February, the Department of Revenue offered to waive penalties for 159,000 tax delinquents if they pay their back taxes by April 30.

CONSERVATON TAX CREDITS
CHAPTER 509 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The legislature established a state income tax credit for landowners who voluntarily donate qualifying conservation land to a municipality, the state, or a nonprofit conservation organization. Qualifying lands include those that protect drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and those that boost the tourism, agricultural and forest industries.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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BAY STATE COMPETITIVENESS FUND
CHAPTER 54 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Fund is an initiative in the fiscal year 2008 budget that will use $100 million from the fiscal year 2007 surplus to allow Massachusetts to remain a leader in business development. The funds will be used to help existing industries grow, encourage new industries to move in, and ensure we have the workforce needed to step into new jobs. This includes funding to promote the life sciences industry, emerging technology, clean energy, workforce training, and education as well as affordable housing.

FILM TAX CREDIT
CHAPTER 63 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
To increase revenue and spur job growth in the Commonwealth, the House and Senate passed legislation to provide the movie industry with incentives to film here through meaningful tax credits. The impact was immediate, with several movies being filmed in Massachusetts in the summer and fall of 2007 to take advantage of the credits.

AID TO COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY
CHAPTER 160 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Legislature voted to provide financial support to the commercial fishing industry through an appropriation of $500,000. The funding will be used to create a plan for "sector fishing," which will allow individual fishers to combine their quotas.

INVESTMENT IN LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR
CHAPTER 130 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed a 10-year, $1 billion bill to invest in the state's burgeoning life sciences sector. The economic development package takes a targeted approach to expanding the number of high-paying jobs, drawing biotech companies to Massachusetts, and retaining talented scientists and researchers at state institutions.

BROADBAND EXPANSION
CHAPTER 164 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature voted to expand broadband access to under served parts of the state in order to provide all residents with the same economic and educational benefits afforded to those who already have unlimited broadband access.

MASSACHUSETTS CREATIVE ECONOMY COUNCIL
CHAPTER 354 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The legislature established the Massachusetts Creative Economy Council which will develop a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in the Commonwealth.

PUBLIC SAFETY

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IMPROVING JUROR SERVICE
CHAPTER 78 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The House and Senate approved legislation to alleviate the current strain on jury resources and allow courts to impanel more juries, bring cases to trial more quickly, reduce or eliminate backlogs, and improve the swift and fair administration of justice.

IDENTITY THEFT
CHAPTER 82 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
To protect Massachusetts residents from the growing problem of identity theft, the House and Senate passed comprehensive legislation to notify the public of data breaches, establish security freezes on accounts subject to identity theft, and set standards for disposal of records containing personal data.

BAN ON INTERNET HUNTING
CHAPTER 83 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Legislature adopted a bill that aligns Massachusetts with 22 others states to ban the hunting of live animals through the Internet and establish a fine of up to $2,500 or imprisonment for 2½ years if a person is found to have participated in Internet hunting.

" BABY SAFE HAVEN" LAW
CHAPTER 86 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
This law makes permanent legislation originally passed in FY 2004 that provides a safe alternative for parents who might otherwise abandon their babies. Parents may surrender their newborns, 7 days of age or younger, to appropriate personnel at hospitals, police departments, or certain fire stations.

BUFFERZONE EXPANSION AROUND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CLINICS
CHAPTER 155 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
To ensure that patients and healthcare workers are able to access reproductive health clinics without being harassed, humiliated, or threatened, the House and Senate passed legislation to establish a 35-foot buffer zone around entrances and driveways of reproductive health clinics. The legislation builds on existing law to more than double the size of the current buffer zone and establishes a fixed rather than floating no-protest area, 35 feet from the property line of the clinic.

BOOSTER SEAT BILL
CHAPTER 79 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In a move to increase the safety of child passengers and bring Massachusetts into line with federal motor vehicle standards, the House and Senate passed legislation requiring children to ride in either car seats or booster seats until the age of eight.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LEGISLATION
CHAPTER 176 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
Acting to toughen the laws meant to protect our most vulnerable children from abuse and neglect, the Legislature passed legislation that creates a new cabinet secretary dedicated solely to child welfare, establishes minimum educational requirements for social workers and their supervisors, orders training of mandatory reporters, and increases criminal penalties.

CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION
CHAPTER 205 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation to better protect children from sex offenders through the enforcement of tougher sentences and enhanced tracking of online predators.

CREATION OF STATE 911 DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 223 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In an effort to support and improve public safety, this legislation creates a state-wide 911 department and improves funding for 911 services though a uniform 911 surcharge for landlines, wireless phones, and internet lines.

REGULATION OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS TANKER IMPORT TERMINALS
CHAPTER 295 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To improve public safety, the House and Senate passed legislation to require a minimum 5,000-foot distance from an LNG tanker to homes, schools, hospitals and elderly complexes.

SUDDEN, UNEXPLAINED CHILD DEATHS
CHAPTER 336 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate approved this legislation that establishes a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Advisory Council. The council will study SIDS and make recommendations on ways to improve the consistency of training for first responders, develop protocols for medical examiners, and expand the social services provided to families.

SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER
CHAPTER 418 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To improve roadside safety, the House and Senate passed legislation which requires drivers to clear the right lane when vehicles with flashing roadside lights are parked along highways. This provides roadside safety professionals, including state troopers and emergency medical technicians, with a safe margin to help motorists.

ANIMAL FIGHTING AND CRUELTY
CHAPTER 452 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To deter animal fighting events and to protect the safety of animals in the Commonwealth, the House and Senate passed a bill which increases the penalties for aiding or being present at an exhibition of fighting animals.

FINES FOR PARKING AT BUS STOPS
CHAPTER 465 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To deter people from parking at bus stops, the House and Senate raised the fine for parking in a bus stop to $100. Vehicles parked illegally in bus stops make it impossible for buses to reach the curb, slowing other traffic and making it difficult for people with disabilities to use buses.

BICYCLE SAFETY
CHAPTER 525 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In recognition of the importance of road safety for bicyclists and motorists alike, the House and Senate passed legislation which seeks to standardize statewide regulations on traffic laws regarding bicyclists. This legislation requires law enforcement officers to be trained in bicycle safety and mandates that the Municipal Police Training Committee develop guidelines for traffic enforcement for bicyclist safety.

DOMESTIC ABUSERS
CHAPTER 534 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
Recognizing the seriousness of violence within homes, the House and Senate created a new category of crimes against persons: assault or assault and battery by a family or household member against a family or household member.

CELL-PHONE/TEXT-MESSAGING DRIVER BAN
H. 4477 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
Aiming to increase the safety of our communities and our roads, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would prohibit the use of cell phones without the use of a hands-free device and ban the sending of text messages while driving.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

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TIDELANDS/CHAPTER 91
CHAPTER 168 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The House and Senate passed legislation to ensure a new, public-driven review process for large-scale projects being built on the Commonwealth's tidelands.

REGULATION OF HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONTAINING PHOSPHOROUS
CHAPTER 47 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To protect consumers and the environment from toxins in household cleaning products, the Legislature voted to regulate the distribution and sale of cleaning products containing phosphorous.

OCEAN MANAGEMENT BILL
CHAPTER 114 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and State created a first-in-the-nation ocean planning process to safeguard our marine resources while also lifting the prohibition on the construction of renewable energy facilities in state ocean waters. The law establishes an ocean advisory commission and an ocean science advisory council to assist the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs during the ocean planning process. The Secretary must promulgate a final ocean plan by December 31, 2009. The law also ensures that existing uses of the ocean, such as fishing and boating, are protected.

GREEN COMMUNITIES ACT OF 2007
CHAPTER 169 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature approved bold energy reform legislation to promote the use of cleaner, renewable energy in Massachusetts. The bill establishes energy goals for the Commonwealth and acts to implement those goals through state-wide clean energy initiatives and reforms. The bill provides incentives to individuals, business owners, and municipalities to invest in energy-saving technologies and aims to reduce energy consumption at the state-level.

BIOFUELS INCENTIVE PACKAGE
CHAPTER 206 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation to promote the use of advanced biofuels through a first-in-the-nation state gas tax exemption on cellulosic biofuels. Cellulosic biofuels are defined as fuels made from agriculture materials that yield at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS
CHAPTER 298 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature passed legislation to cap harmful greenhouse gas emissions and put in place a long-term plan to curb emissions in the Commonwealth.

GREEN JOBS
CHAPTER 307 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In an effort to expand the number of jobs in the Commonwealth's burgeoning clean energy sector, this legislation establishes the Massachusetts Green Energy Technology Center to serve as the state's lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in Massachusetts through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.

ENVIRONMENTAL BOND BILL
CHAPTER 312 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature approved a $1.64 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth's "green infrastructure" through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

IMPROVE SCHOOL CAMPUS AIR QUALITY
CHAPTER 386 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate ensured improved air quality around schools by prohibiting unnecessary idling on school property by buses and commercial and personal vehicles. Violators will be fined $100 for an initial offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. All funds will go into the newly created Environmental Education Fund.

CHARLES RIVER WATER QUALITY COMMISSION
CHAPTER 498 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The legislature created a commission to study the water quality of the lower Charles River Basin and to evaluate the feasibility of making the river safe for swimming.

INFRASTRUCTURE

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IMMEDIATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND BILL
CHAPTER 27 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The House and the Senate passed a $1.47 billion bond bill to address the immediate capital improvement needs of the Commonwealth, authorizing planned projects that addressed critical repair needs, secured federal grant funds, and improved government efficiency through enhanced information technology.

EXTENDING THE LIFE OF BONDS TO 30 YEARS
CHAPTER 34 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Legislature voted to pass a bill that would extend the life of bonds to 30 years in order to save the Commonwealth money when financing the capital improvement needs of the state.

TRANSPORTATION BOND BILL AND REFORM LEGISLATION
CHAPTER 86 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate approved a three-year, $3.5 billion bond bill to finance state transportation projects. Reforms to the state's transportation construction system aim to yield savings and maximize efficiencies in the current system. The bill calls for the administration to create regulations and guidelines for police details on state public work projects while allowing city and town officials to gauge the need for flagmen or police details on municipal projects.

HOUSING BOND BILL
CHAPTER 119 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature passed a $1.3 billion bond bill to create, preserve, and encourage production of affordable housing and to fund capital improvements throughout the Commonwealth. The five-year capital plan will foster long-term economic growth across the state and make home ownership more accessible to all residents.

MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS BOND BILL
CHAPTER 172 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate voted to finance transportation projects across the Commonwealth. Highlights of the $1.5 billion bond bill include: $67 million for design and construction for Fitchburg commuter rail project; $10 million for specific municipal road and bridge projects; $7 million for a mobility assistance program; $50 million in public works money; and $20 million for transit-orientated development grant program.

BRIDGE REPAIR BOND BILL
CHAPTER 233 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To preserve existing transportation infrastructure and improve the safety of state bridges, the Legislature passed the $3 billion bridge repair bond bill to fund projects throughout the Commonwealth.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT BOND BILL
CHAPTER 304 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed a $3 billion bond bill to address general government needs, including information technology and courthouse repairs.

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

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REORGANIZATION OF GOVERNOR'S CABINET AND SELECTED EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES
CHAPTER 6 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In a move to increase efficiency, the Legislature voted to reorganize the structure of the Governor's cabinet as proposed by Governor Deval Patrick, elevating energy, housing, and working people's issues to the cabinet level.

EXPANDED ACCESS TO BIRTH CERTIFICATES OF ADOPTEES
CHAPTER 109 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
To simplify the process of obtaining birth certificates, the House and Senate passed legislation to allow adoptees, 33 years or older, to access their birth certificates without a court order.

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
CHAPTER 130 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
To promote a standard and up-to-date system of health records for those enrolled in state health and human service programs, the Legislature passed a bill which would establish a task force to create electronic health records for these individuals.

LABOR REORGANIZATION PLAN
CHAPTER 145 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In order to increase efficiency among state agencies, the Legislature approved Governor Patrick's reorganization of the Labor and Workforce Development secretariat.

BEACON HILL ARCHITECTURAL COMMISSION
CHAPTER 450 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and the Senate changed the quorum requirements for the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission so that an alternate for any organization can fill the seat of an absent commissioner. Previously, only an alternate appointed by the same organization as the missing commissioner could fill the vacant seat, resulting in quorums being difficult to reach and applications being delayed for a month or more.

UNIFORM PROBATE CODE
CHAPTER 521 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The legislature modernized the state's probate laws by establishing a uniform code that will increase the efficiency of the probate system by eliminating archaic, confusing, and time-consuming procedures. The law increases uniformity with other states, adds protections for those under guardianship and the beneficiaries of trusts, eases the administration of probate matters for judges and court personnel, and reduces delays.

AID

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INCREASED BENEFITS TO THE FAMILIES OF POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS
CHAPTER 110 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In the wake of the tragic on-duty deaths of two Boston firefighters, the Legislature approved a bill authorizing municipalities to raise funeral expense reimbursements to families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty from $5,000 to $15,000.

SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
CHAPTER 143 THE ACTS OF 2007
To sustain and expand public libraries, the Legislature approved an appropriation of $500,000 for municipal libraries facing fiscal hardship.

LIHEAP FUEL-ASSISTANCE APPROPRIATION
CHAPTER 174 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The Legislature acted to avert a home heating crisis by approving $15 million in emergency funding to help more than 100,000 elderly residents and low income families stay warm during the winter of 2008. The appropriation supplemented the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

INCREASED VETERAN PARTICIPATION IN WELCOME HOME BONUS
CHAPTER 186 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In 2005, the Legislature passed the Welcome Home Bill. The statute provides for a one-time, tax-free bonus for veterans who are Massachusetts residents and were active duty on or after September 11, 2001. For active service in Iraq or Afghanistan, veterans are eligible to receive $1,000. For veterans who served elsewhere either at home or abroad, a $500 bonus is available. With only one half of eligible veterans collecting their Welcome Home bonus, this legislation adds a check box on state income tax forms to help better identify veterans who are eligible for the bonus.

EQUALITY

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EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS
On June 14, 2007, the Legislature convened a joint session of the House and Senate for the purpose of a constitutional convention. During that session, the Legislature voted on A Proposal for an Initiative Amendment to the Constitution to Define Marriage. The question was defeated 151-45.

REPEAL OF THE SO-CALLED 1913 LAW
CHAPTER 216 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
Delivering a major victory to advocates of same-sex marriage, the Legislature repealed a 95-year-old law that prevented gay and lesbian couples from outside of Massachusetts from marrying in the Commonwealth.

MASSHEALTH EQUALITY
CHAPTER 217 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed the MassHealth Equality Bill to provide married same-sex couples with equal access to the state's MassHealth Program.

FORECLOSURE RELIEF

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MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE RELIEF LAW
CHAPTER 206 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In the midst of a national and statewide mortgage foreclosure crisis, the House and Senate passed legislation to help stem the number of mortgage foreclosures by encouraging banks to help borrowers, providing a new 3-month window to cure defaults, and mandating tough new licensing standards for mortgage loan originators.

EDUCATION

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REORGANIZATION OF COMMONWEALTH ’ S EDUCATION GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
CHAPTER 27 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature passed legislation to reorganize the Commonwealth's education system, from pre-K through higher education. The bill, filed by Governor Patrick, creates a cabinet-level secretary of education to coordinate seamlessly each sector of education.

REORGANIZATION OF EARLY EDUCATION QUALITY & CARE SYSTEM
CHAPTER 215 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation to complete the creation of and give enabling powers to the Department of Early Education and Care. This legislation provides the new department with the tools needed to make system-wide improvements and establishes a strong platform to bring the Commonwealth universally accessible, high-quality pre-school.

HIGHER EDUCATION BOND BILL
CHAPTER 258 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature passed a $2.2 billion capital bond bill to free up scarce operating resources which will now be put toward controlling the costs of higher education.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
CHAPTER 285 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation ensuring that school age children with disabilities are entitled to transitional services and measurable post secondary goals beginning at age 14 or earlier if appropriate.

SCHOOL AND DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY
CHAPTER 311 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To strengthen and better coordinate school district accountability and assistance for all public schools, the Legislature passed legislation to promote stronger alignment between required school district performance audits and state targeted assistance for struggling schools and districts.

DROPOUT PREVENTION
CHAPTER 315 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
To bring focus and attention to the serious high school drop-out problem facing many communities, the House and Senate passed a drop-out prevention bill that requires mandatory reporting by school districts and establishes a drop-out prevention and recovery commission. The commission is charged with the responsibility to identify successful programs and policies and make recommendations for the establishment and support of such programs in the Commonwealth.

PLACEMENT OF TWINS IN SCHOOLS
CHAPTER 335 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
This law allows parents or guardians of twins or higher order multiples to chose whether the siblings are placed in the same classroom or separate classrooms.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
CHAPTER 363 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation that directs school committees to allow parents of children with disabilities or parent-designated independent evaluators and educational consultants to observe the child's current program or any proposed program for the child.

MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION COMMISSION
H. 4800 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
The House passed legislation to revive and continue the special commission relative to middle level education in the Commonwealth.

HEALTH CARE

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CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE
CHAPTER 168 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature raised the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack in an effort to discourage non-smokers, especially youth, from taking up the habit and to cause more current smokers to quit. The additional revenue will offset the costs of providing healthcare to patients suffering from chronic illness.

MENTAL HEALTH PARITY
CHAPTER 256 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed landmark mental health parity legislation that will require health plans to cover depression, post traumatic stress disorder, autism, and eating disorders to the same extent as all other medical conditions.

WAGE INCREASE FOR HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS
CHAPTER 257 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
In order to retain and attract qualified people to the field, the Legislature passed legislation to raise wages for human service workers.

HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT
CHAPTER 305 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate voted to move the Commonwealth into the next phase of health care reform with legislation aimed at curbing health care costs and improving the overall quality of our health care system.

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH BILL
CHAPTER 321 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature approved legislation to allow children suffering from mental illness to access care through their insurance plans, expand access to mental health screenings, and provide early educators with the tools needed to better serve students suffering from mental illness.

LOWERED LEGAL AGE OF BLOOD DONORS
CHAPTER 342 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation to allow minors age 16 and up to donate blood with parental consent.

ORAL HEALTH
CHAPTER 530 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed omnibus legislation to expand access to oral care, understanding that overall health cannot be achieved without good oral health.

SUICIDE PREVENTION
H. 5084 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
The House passed legislation to create a special commission to study and resolve ways to curb the number of suicides in Massachusetts.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

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GIFT CERTIFICATE LAW
CHAPTER 58 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature voted to update consumer protections in the state gift certificate law by allowing gift certificates to be redeemable at full face value for a period of seven years without deductions or service fees.

FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS IN RESTAURANTS (CP)
CHAPTER 527 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
Recognizing that many food allergy reactions result from food served in or provided by restaurants and other food service establishments, this law aims to improve the way such establishments address the needs of customers with food allergies by increasing food allergy awareness and training among restaurant staff. The law also directs the Department of Public Health to develop a voluntary program for restaurants to be designated as "Food Allergy Friendly." The list of restaurants with this designation will be available on the department's web site. Participating restaurants will need to publish a list of all ingredients in every item they serve.

TICKET RE-SALE
H. 4263 ENACTED BY THE HOUSE
The House overwhelmingly passed legislation designed to simplify existing laws on the resale of sports, concert, and other event tickets while giving broad new protections to consumers victimized by counterfeiters and frauds.

PROTECTIONS AGAINST PREDATORY INSURANCE SALES TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
H. 4508 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
The House unanimously passed legislation to protect military service members from insurance fraud. The bill was filed in response to Congressional findings that predatory life insurance sales to military personnel had occurred on military bases nationwide.

OTHER

PROTECTING PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY
CHAPTER 142 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In order to provide clients of licensed mental health counselors with the same right to confidentiality as clients of psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, the House and Senate passed legislation to protect confidential communications in certain legal proceedings between clients and counselors.

DARFUR DIVESTMENT
CHAPTER 151 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
In an effort to help weaken the government-sanctioned genocide occurring in Darfur, the House and Senate voted to divest the state's employee pension funds from companies providing financial support to the Sudanese government.

COMMONWEALTH CORPS
CHAPTER 192 OF THE ACTS OF 2007
The House and Senate passed Governor Patrick's legislation to establish the Commonwealth Corps, a statewide volunteer and service organization aimed at encouraging residents of Massachusetts to lend their time and service to communities in need. The program will recruit college students, professionals, and retirees to volunteer on a full-time or part-time basis to provide services for the elderly, the homeless, after-school programs, and municipal projects.

COMMISSION TO END HOMELESSNESS
CHAPTER 158 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The Legislature approved $10 million to establish a Commission to End Homelessness that will implement a multi-year housing and support services strategy to end homelessness.

CORPORATE TAX REFORMS
CHAPTER 173 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House voted to adopt corporate tax reforms proposed by Governor Patrick anticipated to yield $217 million in new revenue to the state.

PET RENTAL BAN
CHAPTER 253 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation to ban the leasing of pets to safeguard consumers against the rental of sick or potentially dangerous animals, and to protect animals from being leased to people who have not undergone a screening process to determine if they are capable of having an animal under their care.

PUBLIC BREAST FEEDING
H. 1568 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
To protect the rights of nursing mothers, the House passed legislation to guarantee women the right to breast feed in public.

PURCHASE OF FLAGS
CHAPTER 516 OF THE ACTS OF 2008
The House and Senate passed legislation mandating that all United States and Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags displayed at public institutions in the Commonwealth must be manufactured in the United States. Flags are considered to be manufactured in the United States if a substantial majority of the main components are assembled into the final product in an assembly plant in this country.

NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE
H. 4952 ENGROSSED BY HOUSE
The House voted overwhelmingly for Massachusetts to take part in the National Popular Vote compact. Once this is approved by enough states to make up a majority of the electoral college (270 votes), in the presidential election, the votes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia would be added together to determine the national popular vote. The states that participate in the NPV compact would give their electoral college votes to whomever wins the national popular vote, guaranteeing the presidency to that candidate.

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