To the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The Senate will be in recess subject
to the call of the chair.
[GAVEL]
The Senate will come to order.
I ask that you take your seats and subdue your conversations.
One matter comes before the Senate
before its final passage requiring the adoption
of an emergency preamble.
And under the Constitution, there
is required a standing vote.
An act designating a certain bridge in the town of Lee
as the Lou Digrigoli Memorial Bridge, House number 4156.
Those members voting in the affirmative,
please rise to be counted.
13.
Those opposed, pleasae rise and be counted.
13 members having voted in the affirmative, no members
having voted in the negative, the emergency preamble
is adopted.
[GAVEL] Brief recess.
Clerk will read.
[INAUDIBLE]
That's a handsome suit.
[INAUDIBLE] in his elevation to the rank of Eagle
Scout by [INAUDIBLE] resolutions congratulating
Jonathan Christopher [? Pelimer ?]
of the town of Danvers on his elevation
to the rank of Eagle Scout, and by Mr. Rosenberg,
resolutions congratulating Dr. Jane Lynn Griesemer
on the occasion of her retirement.
The question now comes on adoption of the resolutions.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed.
No.
The ayes have it.
And the resolutions are adopted.
Reports of a committee.
The Committees on Rules two branches [INAUDIBLE]
the Senate but several Senate petitions reports
recommend that [INAUDIBLE] be suspended
with reference thereto [INAUDIBLE] for the committee.
The senator from First Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem,
moves that Senate rule 36 be suspended so that the matter
may be taken up forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the rule is suspended.
The question now comes on suspension of joint role 12.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the rules are suspended.
[GAVEL]
Will you subdue your conversations?
Will you please take your seats so that we can get on
with the business of this body?
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the rules are suspended.
The petitions will be severally referred to various committees.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means [INAUDIBLE]
the house bill establishing a sick leave bank
for Elise Sanchez O'Shea, an employee
of the trial courthouse number 4150,
reports recommend the same ought to pass,
Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan,
asks unanimous consent to suspend
the rules to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
And the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading,
third reading of the bill.
An act establishing a sick leave bank
for Elise Sanchez O'Shea, an employee of the trial
court of the Commonwealth house number
4150, its title having been changed by the Committee
on Bills in the third reading.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Report of a committee.
The committee on ways and means [INAUDIBLE]
refer the Senate bill relative to financial literacy
in schools, Senate number 249.
Reports recommend the same ought to pass
within an amendment substituting a new draft
with the same title, Senate number 2343, Karen E.
Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Spilka,
has presented an order which the clerk will read.
[INAUDIBLE] standing Senate rule 7 or any other rule
to the contrary, the Senate bill relative to financial literacy
in schools, Senate number 249, the Committee on Ways and Means
having recommended the bill be amended by substituting
a new draft, Senate number 2343 shall
be placed [INAUDIBLE] as a date for a second meeting
on Thursday, March 22nd, 2018.
All amendments shall be filed electronically
in the office of the clerk of the Senate
by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 19th, 2018.
All such amendments shall be second reading amendments
to Senate number 2343.
But further amendments in third degree to such amendments
shall be in order.
The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format
for filing all amendments consistent with this order.
After the bill is amended and is ordered to a third reading,
it shall immediately be read a third time.
And the question shall then immediately
be on passing it to be engrossed.
And no amendment shall be in order
of the third reading of the bill unless recommended
by the Committee on Bills in the third reading.
Refer to the Committee on Rules.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules [INAUDIBLE] senate order report
recommend [? the same ?] ought to be adopted--
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Second Suffolk and Middlesex,
Mr. Brownsberger, moves that the rules
be suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on the adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the order is adopted.
Report of a committee.
Report?
Yep.
The Committee on Ways and Means [? rules ?]
refer the Senate bill relative to manufactured housing
community center number 743.
Reports recommend the same ought to pass
with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title,
same number 2344--
Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
Senator for Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Spilka,
has presented in an order which the clerk will read.
Order that notwithstanding Senate rule 7 or any other rule
to the contrary, the Senate bill relative
to manufactured housing community
center number 743, the Committee on Ways and Means
having recommend the bill be amended by substituting
a new draft, number 2344, shall be
placed on the order of the date for a second reading
on Thursday, March 22nd, 2018.
All amendments shall be filed electronically
in the office of the clerk of the Senate
by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 19th, 2018.
And all such amendments shall be second reading amendments
to Senate number 2344.
But further amendments in the third degree to such amendments
shall be in order.
And the clerk shall further specify the procedure
and format for filing all amendments
consistent with this order.
After the bill is amended and is ordered to a third reading,
it shall immediately be read a third time.
And the question shall then immediately
be on passing it to be engrossed.
And no amendment shall be in order
at the third reading of the bill unless recommended
by the Committee on Bills in the third reading.
Under the rules referred to the Committee
on Rules [? reporting body. ?]
The Committee on Rules [INAUDIBLE] Senate order
reports recommend the same ought to be adopted--
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
Mr. Rosenburg moves that the rules be suspended so that
the matter [GAVEL]--
the chair cannot even hear herself,
yet alone the rest of the body.
Please subdue your conversations.
The senator from Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester,
Mr. Rosenburg, moves that the rules
are suspended so that the matter may be considered forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on the adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the order is adopted.
Paper from the House.
The Senate bill to protect access to confidential health
care, Senate number 2296 comes from the House
with the endorsement, that the House has passed a bill
to be engrossed in concurrence with an amendment striking out
all [? after the ?] enacting clause and ensuring
[INAUDIBLE] contained in House document numbered 4256 amended.
Senator from Worcester and Middlesex, Mr. Tran,
moves that the rules be suspended to allow the matter
to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
And the rules are suspended.
The question comes on concurring in the House amendment.
Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Spilka,
moves that the Senate concur in the House amendment
with a further amendment which the clerk will read.
Miss Spilka moves to concur in the House amendment
with a further amendment by inserting after section 3
a new section 3(a).
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
[GAVEL]
The amendment is stopped.
Brief recess.
The senator from the First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
It is wonderful to see you upon the rostrum
and to be gathered with you here today,
obviously in the spirit of Saint Patrick.
Madam President, pursuant to Rule 13(b),
I move there be a Republican caucus
until the hour of 2:20 PM.
Thank you.
Senate will have a brief recess for a Republican caucus
to 2:20 PM.
Order.
Question comes on the Senate concurring with the House
on the further amendment which the clerk will read.
By adding another section 3(a).
All right, senator from First Essex and Middlesex,
Mr. Tarr-- for what reason does the gentleman rise?
Well, Madam President, it appears that we now
have back to us a further amendment
on the so-called PATCH Act.
And it further appears that the covert conference committee was
at work in coming up with a modification to this bill,
and so that we can all see what was
done by virtue of the underground effort
here, hoping that we can get an explanation of that which now
pends before the Senate in the form of a further amendment
to that which left the Senate a while ago.
And I know that the gentle lady from Ashland
has been working on this.
And I know that she brings to us what
amounts to a redrafted bill.
And I'm hoping that she can give us an explanation of that
before we take further action.
Senator from Second Middlesex and Norfolk, Miss Spilka.
Thank you, Madam President.
[AUDIO OUT] send it to me via email or whatever.
But instead, it's the explanation of benefits
going to the subscriber.
This bill requires it go to the patient
to keep the confidentiality of private health care
information.
It seeks to protect that confidential information, which
is essential in helping patients feel
comfortable in accessing care and communicate
with their health care providers.
This bill is basically, in a nutshell,
closing a loophole that currently
exists in insurance carriers sending confidential paperwork
to subscribers.
We are saying we are closing that loophole
in sending that paperwork to the patient instead.
I do want to thank the people that have
been involved in this bill.
It has been a bipartisan and bicameral event,
where we have worked with the House very closely as well
to get it so fast.
If you remember, it was just four or five weeks ago
that the Senate passed this bill.
Two weeks later, the House took it up.
And two weeks later, we are now here
to finalize it and get it over the finish line
and onto the governor's desk, whether it
be this week or the beginning of next week.
So I do want to acknowledge and thank
the bipartisan, bicameral efforts here.
And the bill that passed the House
was nearly identical to what we passed in the Senate.
And the language before you does include the language
to clarify that nothing in this bill
supersedes existing law related to the informed
consent of minors.
That was an issue that we included here.
And it is in this language before you today.
The amendment that's pending before us now simply adds
in a date certain by which the division of insurance
needs to update their guidance, bulletins regarding summary
of payments forms to recollect the implementation
and requirements of this bill.
Therefore, I ask that you vote yes on this bill.
And I ask that when a vote be taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
The senator from Second Middlesex and Norfolk,
Miss Spilka, has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
Sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays
will be ordered.
And the chair will be called.
226?
Yeah.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N Brownsberger.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Brendan P. Crighton.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes, sir.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Junior.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Jason M. Lewis.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. [? Rodrigues. ?]
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
And James T. Welch.
Senator Welch?
Senator [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE]
Julian Cyr votes yes.
The senator from Hampton, Mr. Welch.
James T. Welch votes yes.
The senator from First Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser.
Oh, he's here.
Eric P. Lesser votes yes.
The senator from the fifth Middlesex, Mr. Lewis.
What do I say?
[INAUDIBLE]
Jason M. Lewis votes yes.
The clerk will call the chair.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
Yes.
[GAVEL]
On this matter, 38 have voted in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The Senate--
The Senate concurs [INAUDIBLE].
The Senate concurs--
[INAUDIBLE]
The Senate concurs in the amendment
with a further amendment.
All right, next is Mr. Ross.
Mr. Ross.
We would like to stop for a moment, if you will, [GAVEL]
and invite the senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex
district, Mr. Ross, to come up here to introduce a very
special guest that he has.
Thank you, Madam President and [? through you to ?]
the members--
come on up.
It's not every day that you have a beauty queen come in
to visit.
And certainly, it's my privilege to introduce her
to you here in just a moment.
Honorable members and the honorable Senate president,
I would like to introduce to all of you
Ms. Caitlin O'Neill of Wrentham.
[APPLAUSE]
Caitlin is a graduating senior of the University
of Rhode Island with a degree in communication studies
and a minor in public relations and journalism.
Caitlin recently had the distinguished accomplishment,
even though being a Massachusetts family,
being crowned Miss Rhode Island.
I've known the O'Neill family for a long time.
And I'm very proud to see her have this accomplishment.
Please join me in welcoming Caitlin.
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you, members.
[AUDIO OUT]
She's going to sign our book to make sure--
our journal-- to make sure that everyone
knows that she has been here.
And when she's crowned Miss America,
we'll she started in Massachusetts.
That's right.
[AUDIO OUT]
I've just been told that our queen is joined by her mother
and father, John and Judy.
Will you please stand up?
And can we welcome you?
[CHEER]
[APPLAUSE]
We're honored to have you and your beautiful daughter
here today.
[AUDIO OUT]
The House bill designating a certain park
in the city of Quincy as the Richard Dick Herbert Memorial
Park, House number 4298, comes from the House
passed to be engrossed.
Senator from Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan,
asks unanimous consent that the rules
be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
The rules are suspended.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act designating a certain park in the city of Quincy
as the Richard Dick Herbert Memorial Park, House number
4298.
The bill has been read it a third time.
The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill has passed to be engrossed.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
The House order relative to extending until Thursday, April
12th, 2018, [INAUDIBLE] Committee on Telecommunications
[INAUDIBLE] House number 4295 [INAUDIBLE]..
Senator from Fourth Middlesex, Ms. Friedman,
moves that the rules be suspended.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears is none.
The extension order [AUDIO OUT].
Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through the members--
Madam President, I want to call attention to the fact
that what now pends before the Senate is an extension
order being sought for a number of House bills,
I believe, from the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities,
and Energy.
And Madam President, once again, I
am in the unenviable position of answering my own question.
So normally, I would ask how many
bills and the date to which the extension is being sought
and the subject matter of the extension.
Madam President, to the best of my knowledge,
there are 13 bills in this extension order.
The date sought is April 12th.
And very importantly, much of the subject matter
of these bills surrounds net neutrality.
And because we have a special committee on net neutrality
and because we had a public hearing that
had to be postponed due to our weekly Nor'easter, Madam
President, the extension is sought
to allow us to fine-tune our approach to net neutrality
and also hopefully to have an opportunity once
again for public engagement.
So Madam President, this is a reasonable extension order,
both in terms of the length of time and the number of bills.
And certainly the subject matter,
which has only recently matured for our full consideration,
deserves to have this very reasonable extension.
As a result, Madam President, I hope
the extension order is granted.
Thank you, Mr. Minority Leader.
The question comes on adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the order is adopted in concurrence.
Is there any objection to proceeding
with the orders of the day?
The chair hears none.
On page 1, the first item is calendar item 155,
Senate number 2294.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item 157, Senate number 290.
The chair hears pass.
OK.
The next item is calendar item 158.
Pass.
The chair hears pass.
Page 2, the next item is calendar item 159.
Senate--
Pass.
Chair hears pass.
Next item is calendar item 154, Senate number 991.
Pass.
Chair hears pass.
Returning to passed items.
Returning to passed items--
on page one, the first item we passed over
was item 157, Senate number 290, calendar item 157.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, coming first on an amendment
as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means--
the senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through you, the members.
Madam President, what now passes before the Senate
is legislation relative to education collaboratives.
And unless I am mistaken, Madam President,
this is similar to legislation that the Senate has acted on
in the past but which has not made it
over the legislative goal line to become law.
So Madam President, this is an issue
that is critically important to the delivery of education
through this particular modality.
I know that there are some amendments on this bill.
But I'm hoping that before we go any further
that we can get an explanation.
I believe the gentle lady from Andover
is prepared to offer us an explanation.
I know that this has been a subject
that she has been working on for a number of years.
And I'm hoping that we can have the benefit
of that very diligent work in the form
of an explanation of the bill.
Thank you, Madam President.
I don't think so.
Senator L'Italen, the senator from Second Essex
and Middlesex--
Miss L'Italien.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and through you, to the members--
Madam President, my apologies.
This is the educational collaboratives bill.
A number of years ago, we made some real changes
to educational collaboratives.
We clarified and codified the reporting and operating
requirements of the collaboratives in legislation.
And we created a commission of which
our current Senate education chair, Senator Sonia
Chang-Diaz, was a member.
There was a report that was written that became this bill.
And as was mentioned previously, this has passed the House
and has not yet passed the Senate.
This bill calls for the implementation
of the recommendations put forward
by the Special Commission on Education Collaboratives, which
includes organizing collaboratives into regions
as established by the Board of Education
with one member of each region serving
as a regional liaison for three years
to identify needs, priorities, coordinate service delivery,
and work with DESE to disseminate information
to school districts.
It also would permit collaboratives to allow people
with disabilities over the age of 22
to continue at their school, which is something rather new.
Many students thrive in collaboratives
and could continue to benefit from programming after age 22,
if appropriate.
And it would need to be mutually agreed
upon by both the collaborative and the individual
and his or her guardians.
It also requires that the education commissioner
or their designee would serve as a non-voting
ex officio member of the collaborative board.
These recommendations increase transparency
and accountability.
The bill was engrossed by the house last year.
This is supported by the Association of Collaboratives,
the school superintendents, and the school committees.
And I asked when this vote be taken, it be taken
by a vote of the yeas and nays.
The senator from Second Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien,
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
Sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays
will be ordered.
So we are-- the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has offered an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
By Mr. Tarr, an amendment relative to reporting.
The senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
This amendment would require some additional reporting
on the activities of educational collaboratives.
Having reviewed the current reporting requirements
with the gentle lady who just took her seat,
it seems to me that it is an unnecessary addition.
And so I request unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
He's just withdrawn?
He's withdrawn.
The senator has just asked to have the amendment withdrawn.
All of those--
Is there an objection?
Is there objection?
Hearing none, the amendment is withdrawn.
The next item--
No.
I'm sorry.
The question now comes-- on adoption
of the Ways and Means amendment, all those in favor,
say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading as amended.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading-- third reading
of the bill.
An act relative to education collaborative Senate number
2330.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes--
A roll call has been ordered by Senator L'Italien.
A roll call has been ordered on this by Senator L'Italien.
The clerk will call the roll.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Yes Brendan P. Crichton.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Junior.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr votes yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
The clerk will call the chair.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Have all member has been recorded?
On this matter, 36 having voted in the affirmative, zero
in the negative, the amendment is passed.
The bill is passed.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
The next item is calendar item--
excuse me.
Before we get to that, please forgive me.
I'd like to call on the senator from First Middlesex
and Norfolk, who would like to introduce an important group
that we have as visitors today.
[INAUDIBLE] hit the gavel.
Right there.
[GAVEL]
I'd like to introduce a group from Boston
College, the 6th annual Eagle Model UN conference.
And the guests today are from Chicago and from Springfield--
the senator from Springfield standing over there.
That's your senator.
And over here.
And over here-- where's senator?
Oh, standing over there.
OK.
So as you can see, a large group of high school students
are visiting us today.
All together, these students have come
from Chicago and Springfield.
And we want to thank Boston College, which
is hosting its 6th annual Eagle Model UN conference.
The conference brings together over 700 delegates
from high schools around the country.
And the three international schools
are participating as well.
Today, these visiting students are branching out
to tour different historical sites around Boston.
The students we are welcoming here in the Senate--
excuse me-- have expressed a particular interest
in our state government.
I'd like to introduce and thank the Boston College
junior, Christina LaRitz.
Christina, if you want to stand up.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
Christina is the deputy secretary general
of the EagleMUNC for coordinating this very
special visit.
They've all walked here from Copley Square.
So they are getting a good look at our snow removal services
as well as our historic buildings
and want to give them all a round of applause
and tell them what a great job that they're doing.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
Good for [INAUDIBLE].
I, too, want to welcome this group from Chicago
and from Springfield.
You are our future leaders.
And it is an honor to welcome you to the oldest continuing
legislature in the country.
So we are delighted to have you here.
[APPLAUSE]
Where are we?
The next item passed over is calendar item
158, Senate number 1155.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, coming first on an amendment
as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means.
Nothing?
No?
[INAUDIBLE]
Amendments have been filed, which will
be considered at this time.
[INAUDIBLE]
I don't have anything.
[AUDIO OUT]
Several amendments been filed, which will
be considered at this time.
The First Amendment is sponsored by the senator from Plymouth
and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number one by Mr. O'Connor
ending inhumane commercial sales of cats and dogs
in Massachusetts.
The senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor.
Madam President, I ask at this time
that this amendment be held pending a redraft that we're
working on.
[INAUDIBLE]
This amendment will be laid aside temporarily
to be taken at the end.
Amendment number two offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Norfolk, Mr. Tarr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number two by Mr. Tarr, public hearings.
There you are.
Didn't see you there.
You're changing places here--
the senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
I'm not yet from Plymouth and Norfolk,
but I appreciate the expansion.
And usually, I'm not at this microphone.
First Essex and Middlesex.
I stand--
So I realize I might have thrown you off.
Madam President, I move the Senate be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Essex and Second Middlesex and Essex.
Madam President, I move that the Senate continue
to be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Senator from Second Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka.
Did they call [INAUDIBLE]?
OK.
Thank you, Madam President, through you to the members.
We are talking about Senate 1155, an act
relative to protecting puppies and kittens
in the commonwealth.
This bill basically improves several areas of current law
that deal with the sale and treatment of dogs and cats.
Currently, this is something most people are
taken by surprise at, that Massachusetts
is one of the few states that leaves
commercial breeders, including the puppy mills that we
see on TV, totally pretty much unregulated.
With more and more states recognizing
the need for this type of regulation,
by passing this bill, we will ensure
that the Commonwealth does not become a haven for their worst
breeders so that we don't want it to be regulated out
of all the other states and for the breeders
to be sending their dogs here.
Families deserve protection from unknowingly purchasing
pets that are sick and would require extensive veterinarian
bills.
I actually have gotten, just the past six months,
calls from two separate constituents independently--
[GAVEL]
Subdue your conversations.
Will you please take your seats.
We cannot hear the lady at the rostrum.
Thank you, Madam President.
I've gotten calls independently from two different constituents
in my district concerned and upset
that they had bought two puppies separately.
And each one of them was ill.
And what rights did they have?
They had already adopted the puppy.
They had brought the puppy into their home.
Their kids were really enjoying the puppy.
But it really needed a couple of thousand dollars' worth
of veterinarian fees.
Applying proper safety and breeding standards
can prevent numerous ailments that
can emotionally and financially devastate pet owners, not
to mention extremely painful situations for the pets.
This bill will ensure that kittens and puppies are
bred and sold in safe and healthy environments
by creating penalties for those who fail to do so.
The bill also strengthens the Massachusetts so-called puppy
lemon law by giving pet owners more options
if they unknowingly purchase a sick dog.
It ensures that consumers will not
be forced to make the difficult choice of giving
an animal up, putting it down, or incurring
exorbitant medical bills.
It allows owners to be reimbursed
by the seller for a portion--
a portion-- of the reasonable veterinarian bills
associated with treating a sick puppy.
The bill also prohibits the sale of puppies and kittens
under eight week old, increasing the likelihood
that they will grow into healthy dogs and cats.
And their owners will have healthy dogs and cats.
Puppies taken too early from their mothers
have displayed greater instances of behavioral issues
that last throughout the puppy's life into their adult doghood,
so to speak, and persist throughout the puppy's life.
And that can be prevented--
most of it, anyway.
It empowers the Department of Agriculture
to create rules and regulations to ensure certain breeders
maintain humane conditions.
And currently, Massachusetts has no oversight of breeders,
except for the local kennel licenses.
Finally, the bill protects consumers and animals
by ensuring that puppies and kittens sold at pet shops come
from breeders who don't have significant or repeat
violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act
or adhere to the Massachusetts minimum standards
that we will hear more from Massachusetts breeders.
So there will be standards as to what pets can be sold.
I do want to be clear that this bill does not create liability
for individual pet owners or hobby breeders
for selling their own pets or their offspring.
We worked very closely with the hobby breeders.
We've worked very closely with the coalition to get this bill
where it is.
Being a small-scale breeder years ago myself, this bill,
I believe, strikes a balance by regulating and preventing
the puppy mills while exempting people who breed their dogs
only occasionally.
Again, we've worked extensively with breeders, pet shops,
animal rights activists-- and I thank everybody--
to get to this compromise language.
And it creates the necessary safeguards
to ensure that puppies and kittens are raised
in safe and healthy situations and grow
into safe and healthy adult dogs and cats.
I hope that you will vote yes on this bill.
Thank you.
The question now comes on adoption--
Returning to the Tarr amendment.
Returning to the Tarr amendment, the question
now comes on adoption of the Tarr-- of the Ways and Means
amendment?
No, the Tarr amendment.
The Tarr amendment-- all those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
Now we're going to the O'Connor amendment.
O'Connor amendment-- returning now
to the O'Connor amendment, amendment number one,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number one by Mr. O'Connor,
ending inhumane commercial sales of cats and dogs
in Massachusetts.
Thank you, Madam President-- through you to the membership.
I want to first thank the chairwoman of Ways and Means
for another incredibly thoughtful approach to how
we protect puppies and kittens here
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The bill as written would allow pet shops
to sell dogs and cats if they originate from the United
States Department of Agriculture licensed breeding corporations
and if that corporation has not had any recent violations.
I think that in order to give the dogs and cats
the justice that they deserve, that we
should go above and beyond the USDA standards.
In my opinion, Massachusetts has always
been a leader and in the forefront of any issue.
And this is including the issue of animal cruelty
and how we maintain our animals.
The USDA standards include the confinement of dogs
to small, wire-floored cages stacked on top of each other.
The USDA standards do not require
socialization or human contact.
The USDA standards does not set a path to retire a breeding dog
or limit the amount of dogs or cats
that dog or cat could have.
And the USDA standards do not even
require exposure to sunlight.
Ultimately, the inhumane breeding facilities
that we refer to as puppy mills are allowed,
pursuant to USDA standards.
And on top of that, many of these puppy mills
are violating these low standards
and committing further abuse of the animals that are
being bred in their facility.
Violations can and have been committed for years
without enforcement across our nation.
This has been uncovered through extensive investigation
by many animal rights groups we have here in Massachusetts,
including the Massachusetts Coalition
to End Puppy Mills, which happens
to be located in my district.
There have been multiple instances where customers
are assured by pet shops that their breeders are
humane and USDA-licensed, when documents show
that their breeders have long histories of violations,
create inhumane living conditions,
and adopt barbaric methods of putting down unwanted animals.
If Massachusetts truly wants to end
our supply-and-demand relationship with puppy mills,
even if they are licensed by the USDA,
we must adopt this amendment.
Yesterday, I spoke with multiple pet shop owners
who came to my office before the redrafted amendment
to discuss what I would say is a less logical amendment
to just end the process of pet shops
in Massachusetts in general.
There are currently 12 pet shops that exist right now.
And I sat with them and basically came up
with a compromise of saying there are things that
are inside of the USDA regulations
that are unacceptable in Massachusetts.
And they said, we agree.
They say that they can't even rely on USDA regulations,
that they have to go down to the south to these breeders
and look into these facilities for themselves
because the USDA has set such a low bar.
This amendment would include in the MDAR regulations
a higher standard of regulations for Massachusetts, standards
that we make sure that puppies and kittens that
are bred that are being sold here in Massachusetts
get sunlight, that we require that there
be a limit to the litter that they can produce,
that we require that there is a path for that dog to retire
to a loving family, and that we make
sure that there's human contact and socialization.
This amendment essentially includes
into the MDAR regulations standards that we would set
and we would want to be set for the dogs and cats
that we purchase here in Massachusetts.
It humanizes this transaction that unfortunately
has been going on for far too long and once
and for all closes even more of the loopholes
that puppy mills are getting through in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
I hope this amendment is adopted.
And I hope when a vote is taken, it's
taking by a call of yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays have been--
no?
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
A brief recess.
Senate will come to order.
If there is no objection, while we are waiting,
we will take up an emergency preamble,
which the clerk will read.
Sick leave bank for Linda [INAUDIBLE] Williams,
an employee of the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Those members--
Those members voting in the affirmative,
please rise to be counted.
Five members.
Those opposed, please rise to be counted.
None members.
None.
Five--
Five in the affirmative, none in the negative.
The--
Emergency
--emergency preamble is adopted.
Brief recess.
Senate will be in session.
Several matters come before the Senate for their final passage.
An act authorizing the town of Leyden
to continue the employment of police chief Daniel
Galvis, An act authorizing the Deerfield area fire protection
district to continue the employment of fire chief
Chester Yazwinksi, an act relative to the funding
of the other post-employment benefits
liability trust fund in the town of Northbridge,
an act designating a certain bridge in the town of Lee
as the Lou DiGrigoli Memorial Bridge.
Question comes on passing the bills to be enacted.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bills are passed to be enacted.
And the bills will be signed by the president
and laid for the governor for his approbation.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
The Senate will be in session.
If there is no objection, we will lay the current matter
aside temporarily.
And if there is no objection, we will take one matter out
of order.
And if there is no objection, we will take one matter out
of order.
Is there an objection?
Hearing none, the next item passed over
is calendar item 154, Senate number 991.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, coming first on an amendment
as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means,
the senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I want to point out
for the edification of the members
that you have just put your hand on the shifter
and shifted gears.
And I want to make sure that everybody is aware of which
gear we're now in.
So Madam President, the bill that
now pens before the Senate is the item that
is in the calendar relative to social media privacy, which
I believe is largely the work of the senator from Newton.
I'm hoping that we can get an explanation of the bill itself.
And I also know our crafty friends at Ways and Means
have also worked on an amendment to this particular measure.
So however the explanations fall,
I'm hoping that we can understand
the substance of what now pends before the Senate.
And Madam President, I know that the gentle lady from Newton
is now thinking about the issue at hand.
She is consulting with experts.
And I'm hoping that that consultation will soon
be concluded and the chamber will
be filled with her erudition about the issue of social media
privacy.
Senator from First Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem.
[AUDIO OUT]
Madam President-- so the bill we have
before us today will protect students and employees as well
as applicants for jobs and to schools
against unwarranted invasion into
and potential persistent monitoring
of their personal social media accounts,
such as Facebook and Instagram.
Increasingly, employers and educational institutions
are asking applicants, employees, and students
to provide access to their personal social media accounts
or to a friend a school staff member or employer.
No current law prevents them from requiring
this for employment, acceptance into school,
or as a prerequisite to participating
in school activities.
Where an individual has taken measures
to limit public access to contents
in a personal social media account,
employers and school staffs should not
be able to condition employment or participation
in school activities upon access to that information.
This type of tracking of our private lives
by school and employers is unjustifiable and acceptable.
We would never permit employers or school staff
to search our homes, read our diaries or mail,
listen in on private gatherings with friends,
or look at our private videos or photo albums.
Our private information and communication
should not cease to be protected just
because they are stored in personal social media accounts.
What we seek to preserve as private merits
the same protections online as off.
Specifically, this bill would prohibit schools and employers
from requesting or requiring current and prospective
students and employers to provide access
to private social media accounts or compelling
them to add a school staff member or an employer
to the list of contacts associated with the school.
It would also prevent schools and employers
from taking or threatening adverse action
against a student or applicant for refusing to accede
to either of these demands.
It's important to note that the account this bill seeks
to protect are social media accounts used exclusively
for personal communications that are unrelated to education
or business purposes.
This bill does not prevent schools or employers
from using information that's already open to the public.
Or it doesn't restrict them from issuing
policies governing the use of their own electronic equipment.
And this bill also recognizes that there
will be some circumstances in which a school and employer
will have a legitimate need to seek access
to a personal social media account.
This bill contains narrowly-drawn exceptions
reflecting input from the business and education
of communities, which allows schools and employers
to request access to personal media
where it is necessary to meet legal or regulatory obligations
where they have no other means of obtaining the information.
And these exceptions contain important due process
protections for students and employers.
26 states have already enacted legislation
addressing this issue.
And bills on this topic are permitted
in many, many other jurisdiction.
Students and workers in Massachusetts
also deserve the privacy protection
that this legislation would afford.
And I urge you to vote favorably.
And I ask that when a vote is taken on this bill,
it be taken you by a call of the yeas and the nays.
Senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Senator Creem,
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number [INAUDIBLE].
Sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays
will be ordered.
We will now turn to several amendments
which have been filed by our consideration at this time--
the first amendment offered by the senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
The amendment number one by Mr. Moore
and others, law enforcement oversight.
This is OK.
The question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number two, offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number two by Mr. Tarr, Protecting public safety.
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
No.
The Tarr Amendment.
The Tarr amendment-- I'm sorry-- comes on adoption of the Tarr
amendment--
Madam President?
The title of which--
I will.
Just give me-- the title of which the clerk will read.
OK.
The senator for Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President.
We have all seen the negative consequences
of when educational institutions do not have access to--
Sorry, but I cannot hear you.
If we can sit down, if we can subdue our conversations
and hear the gentleman who's at the podium.
Thank you, Madam President, through the members--
I suspect everyone is texting, trying to beat
the deadline of this bill.
But at any rate, Madam President,
we've all seen situations where schools not having access
to very critical social media information
with regard to public safety has had very negative consequences.
And we saw a situation most recently
where not having access to that information
had tragic consequences.
And so Madam President, this amendment very
simply says that if there is a reasonable belief
of the presence of an immediate danger of death
or serious bodily injury to any person
that there will be access to that social media information.
I believe, Madam President, that in light
of what we've been seeing, this is absolutely
a critical amendment.
I appreciate the work of the gentle lady from Newton
in working with us to get to this point of consensus.
And Madam President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
All right.
Thank you.
Question comes in adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Number three, offered-- no, it's off.
It's off hold.
It's off hold-- offered by--
[INAUDIBLE]
Offered by the lady from Middlesex and Norfolk,
Ms. Spilka, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number three by Miss Spilka, corrective amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the corrective amendment is adopted.
The final amendment offered by the senator from Suffolk
and Middlesex, Mr. Brownsberger, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number by Mr. Brownsberger, admissibility.
All those in favor--
oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't see you.
The senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Why, thank you, Madam President, and through the members.
It's been a while since we've been treated
to the elocution of the gentleman who
is the distinguished Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary.
Never wanting to miss an opportunity for the same,
I'm hoping that we can get a brief explanation from him
of the pending amendment.
Senator from Second Suffolk and Middlesex, Mr. Brownsberger.
Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you for the inquiry, Mr. Leader.
This amendment would simply require
that if information is obtained in violation of this act,
it could not be used in a subsequent lawsuit.
All right.
So the question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
We to go back [? to the hold? ?]
[INAUDIBLE]
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
Thank you.
Yep.
Thank you.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, as amended.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act relative to protecting puppies and kittens,
Senate number 2331 amended.
This is social media.
Oh, social media-- I'm sorry.
[AUDIO OUT] social media privacy protection,
Senate number 2320 amended.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
A roll call has been ordered.
And the clerk will call the roll.
[INAUDIBLE] Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Brendan P. Crichton.
Yes.
Julia Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen N. Donoghue.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Junior.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Yes Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
The senator from Second Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Brady.
[INAUDIBLE]
Have all-- the senator--
Michael D. Brady votes yes.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex
district, Mr.--
excuse me-- the senator from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush.
Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, [INAUDIBLE] the affirmative?
Thank you.
Michael F. Rush votes yes.
Has everyone been recorded?
Where is she?
Yes.
The senator from Hamden, Mr. Welch.
Thank you, Madam President.
[INAUDIBLE]
Thank you.
James T. Welch votes yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
Hold on.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
Yeah.
John [INAUDIBLE] Rosenberg [INAUDIBLE]..
The senator from Second Essex and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien.
Barbara A. L'Italien votes yes.
Have all members been reported?
[GAVEL]
On this matter, 36 have voted in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The matter is passed to be engrossed.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Returning to a returning matter previously laid aside,
item 158, Senate number 1155.
Question on amendment number one.
[INAUDIBLE] comes now on amendment number one, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number one by Mr. O'Connor and redrafted,
ending inhumane commercial sales of cats and dog
in Massachusetts.
The senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President, and through the members--
Madam President, I'm trying to look
at this issue from a different perspective.
And so I'm over here at majority microphone.
But Madam President, just to refresh
the memory of the membership, this particular amendment
is one that was offered by the gentleman from Weymouth that
relates to some minimum standards for the breeders that
would offer pets for sale through retail outlets
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I believe that this is a tremendously important
amendment.
Because Madam President, when folks
acquire a pet in this manner, they
deserve to know and to have the confidence
that that pet has been raised in a humane environment.
And so this bill would require--
or this amendment, rather-- would require the Massachusetts
Department of Agriculture to set those minimum standards
and to include things like the animal
actually having to have exposure to sunlight and socialization
and not being caged 24 hours a day.
So Madam President, there has been tremendous collaborative
work on this.
And I want to thank all the parties that
have been involved in getting us to the point of consensus
that we now face.
I hope the amendment is adopted.
And Madam President, I hope that when
a vote is taken in this matter, it
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
The senator from First Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with him may please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number having arisen,
the yeas and nays will be order.
Clerk-- the clerk will ask that the chair be called.
[AUDIO OUT]
[INAUDIBLE]
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Brendan P. Crighton.
Julian Cyr.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Junior.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
33?
Report it.
The clerk will call the chair.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
The senator from Third Essex.
Brendan P. Crighton.
Yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
[AUDIO OUT]
The senator from the Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr.
[INAUDIBLE]
Julian Cyr votes years.
Has everyone been reported?
36 in the affirmative, none in the negative.
On this matter, 36 in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The amendment has been adopted.
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
And the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading as amended.
All those in favor, say aye, opposed no.
The ayes have it.
And the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act relative to protecting puppies and kittens,
Senate number 2331 amended.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
The senator from Second Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms.
Spilka.
Thank you, Madam President.
I ask that when a vote be taken, it
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Thank you.
Senator from-- sorry--
Middlesex and Norfolk has asked that when a vote is taken,
it is taken by a call the yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her, please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number of members having arisen,
the yeas and nays will be [? quartered. ?]
And the clerk will call the president--
the chair.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Michael J Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Senator Brownsberger?
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Brendan P. Crighton.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Junior.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen?
Senator Jehlen?
Yes.
John F. Keene.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
Have all members been reported?
Yes.
[GAVEL]
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
On this matter, 36 senators having
voted in the affirmative, none in the negative,
the bill is passed to be engrossed.
[INAUDIBLE]
[GAVEL]
The chair asks that we take a brief recess
and that both the Republican and the Democratic caucuses
meet together in the Senate president's
suite for a brief meeting.
Bang the gavel.
[GAVEL]
OK.
Senate will be in session.
One matter comes before the Senate for its final passage
and under the Constitution, requires
a call of the yeas and nays, an act relative to veterans'
housing in the city known as Agawam.
The chair will be in receipt of--
no.
The clerk will call--
The clerk will call the roll.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
No.
William N. Brownsberger.
Yes.
This is [INAUDIBLE].
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Yes.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Brendan B. Crighton.
Yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Senator Cyr?
Yes.
Viriato M. DeMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
[? Are you there? ?]
Yeah.
[? Back there. ?]
Eileen M. Donoghue.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.