Massachusetts senators meet Thursday within the first formal session of the yr the place they’re anticipated to take up three payments coping with wheelchair guarantee protections, interactions between police and individuals with autism, and fentanyl take a look at strips.
In a quick assembly Tuesday morning to shut out the primary half of the two-year 2023-2024 legislative session, Senate lawmakers teed up the trio of payments for debate later this week.
The Thursday session represents the primary main actions of the yr in a chamber the place its high chief recognized prescription drug reform and early training care as 2024 priorities.
Legislation from Sen. John Cronin, a Lunenburg Democrat, requires wheelchair producers who promote their merchandise instantly or by way of a seller to offer customers an “express warranty” that lasts a minimum of two years and canopy any wanted repairs for a “nonconformity.”
The proposal additionally directs producers to offer wheelchair clients with a short lived loaner inside 4 enterprise days for “standard” tools or eight enterprise days for custom-made, tailored or modified chairs. If a producer violates the part, the minimal guarantee interval could be prolonged to 3 years, in line with the invoice.
Cronin stated the invoice is three years within the making and handed the Senate throughout the 2021-2022 legislative session.
“Right now, in the state, the protections that exist are inadequate,” Cronin instructed the Herald. “We’ve heard so many really harrowing, horrifying stories about people whose wheelchairs break and they are left stranded for weeks or even months because they can’t access repair services.”
Another proposal directs the Registry of Motor Vehicles alongside the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and different organizations that advocate for folks with autism to design a blue envelope that gives steerage on “ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder.”
The invoice, sponsored by Sen. Jo Comerford, a Northampton Democrat, additionally requires the blue envelope to incorporate data on folks with autism who’re able to holding a driver’s license, registration, and insurance coverage card.
A proposal from Sen. Cindy Creem would legalize the use or administration of fentanyl take a look at strips to “determine whether a substance contains fentanyl or its analogues” from felony or civil legal responsibility or skilled disciplinary motion.
The proposal doesn’t apply “to acts of gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct,” in line with its textual content.
Creem stated the thought for the laws got here to her from Newton Police Chief John Carmichael Jr., who acknowledged departments and other people in Massachusetts couldn’t use the instrument. Creem stated the Department of Public Health ran a fentanyl take a look at strip pilot program that had “very positive results.”
“We certainly want to make sure that we can do anything to reduce the use of fentanyl,” Creem instructed the Herald.
Senate President Karen Spilka, in an announcement on social media, stated she needs the chamber to make free neighborhood faculty “a reality” after a Gov. Maura Healey-backed initiative on the matter grew to become legislation final yr.
The Ashland Democrat additionally stated the bulk celebration is “on track” to launch gun security laws earlier than the tip of January.
“I want to get a prescription drug reform bill to the Governor’s desk that will save lives and help people in our state who desperately need lower costs for their medications,” Spilka stated in an announcement. “And lastly, I want to enact an early education and care bill, which will benefit our kids, families, and employers.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”