May 2022 | The Stanley Report 

State House 

Rep. Stanley with former Leader Golden

Patriot's Day

House Passes Amendment to Support MA’s Aging Population

Rep. Stanley, Co-Chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs, is thrilled to announce that the House of Representatives passed a Health and Human Services and Elder Affairs consolidated amendment to the FY23 Budget (H.4700). This amendment will provide much-needed funding to programs and services that support the state’s aging population. The budget makes great strides in supporting the essential workforce which provides direct care in nursing facilities and in the home. 

The amendment includes funding for workforce supports, elder mental health outreach teams, elder supportive housing sites, rest homes, Meals on Wheels, Councils on Aging Grants, SHINE program and the Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care coordination program.

Rep. Stanley budget amendment acts to protect reproductive rights in MA

As the Supreme Court moves to eliminate Roe v. Wade nationally, Rep. Stanley authored the first ever successful budget appropriation supporting reproductive rights. Rep. Stanley filed an amendment which allocates $500,000 to support an experienced, grassroots network helping women access time-sensitive reproductive health care.  The amendment will provide funds to improve reproductive health care access, infrastructure, and security, including grants critical to providing reproductive health care access to Massachusetts women. Rep. Stanley is committed to continue support for additional efforts to strengthen reproductive rights of women in the wake of the Supreme Courts suppressive decisions.

The Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund, the Jane Fund of Central Massachusetts, and the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts have been filling systemic gaps in health care coverage by helping pay for reproductive care for decades. These Funds are a critical source of financial support for MA residents. But the increased demand expected from the Supreme Court actions will negatively impact the ability of these groups to continue serving the needs of all women seeking assistance, especially low-income and communities of color that need assistance most.

Elder Affairs Committee Advances Long Term Care Bill

Rep. Stanley and Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville), Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, are pleased to announce a favorable committee report on legislation to improve the quality and oversight of long-term care in Massachusetts. An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care takes a comprehensive approach to regulating the long-term care industry and addressing needed reforms in transparency and oversight. The omnibus bill also seeks to provide additional workforce supports and sets the stage for further innovation and development of alternative models of care.

The legislation draws from 20 long-term care proposals before the Committee in addition to testimony gathered over five hearings, discussions across countless stakeholder meetings, and years of internal and external advocacy. It also builds off the 2020 Nursing Facility Task Force Report, responding to several remaining needs, including establishing career ladder grants and student loan forgiveness programs; strengthening and enhancing the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) suitability standards; and providing DPH with additional tools to monitor and take punitive action on facilities. Provisions in the bill also include:

· Directs DPH to streamline regulations for small house nursing homes;

· Increases penalties that can be sought by the Attorney General in instances of abuse and doubles the statute of limitations to 4 years;

· Mandates long-term care facilities to develop Outbreak Response Plans to utilize in the event of future infectious disease outbreaks;

· Directs DPH to establish and implement a training and education program for facilities and staff regarding best practices and frequent deficiencies;

· Requires facilities to develop policies to prevent social isolation with special consideration given to those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other disabilities;

· Codifies lengths of time for medical leave of absences and non-medical leave of absences for long-term care residents to ensure continuity of care;

· Directs the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) to issue an annual report examining cost trends and financial performance across the nursing home industry;

· Directs the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to conduct an analysis of nursing personnel and staffing requirements in long-term care facilities and issue a report by June 1, 2023.

Rep. Stanley supports wage theft prevention legislation

In a letter to Chair Michlewitz and Speaker Mariano, Rep. Stanley urged the House to act on H.4681, legislation to prevent wage theft, promote employer accountability, and enhance public enforcement. H.4681 is a redraft of H.1959, legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Stanley which received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The bill is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Stanley previously submitted written support of the bill to Speaker Mariano and the House Chair of Labor and Workforce Development, Rep. Cutler.

This critically important bill will help protect our state’s workers from the practice of wage theft and misclassification that is rampant today in the construction and service sectors of the economy. Beyond protecting workers, H.4681 will generate millions of dollars in new payroll taxes and financial support for our state’s overburdened unemployment and worker’s compensation programs. It will also serve as a powerful deterrent to employers who use wage theft as a business model and protect legitimate employers who play by the rules. Critical to this legislation is the proposed language that will hold prime liable for intentional instances of wage theft and allow a private right of action for workers seeking to recover stolen wages from these employers. 

Waltham Organizations Receive MCC AAPI Grants

Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce that two Waltham-based organizations, Boston Uyghur Association and Angel Dance Company, received FY22 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Arts & Culture COVID-19 Recovery Program grants from Mass Cultural Council. Funded in the FY22 budget, this program provided $975,000 in assistance to AAPI organizations impacted by the pandemic across the Commonwealth. Rep. Stanley is grateful for his colleagues on the House Asian Caucus who prioritized this funding.

Baker Administration Launches Free Public Telehealth Program for COVID-19 Treatment

The Baker Administration, in collaboration with Color Health, launched a new free telehealth program to help residents more easily access COVID-19 treatment. Through this program, residents 18 years and older who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms are able to undergo a video consultation with a trained health care clinician to determine if they are eligible for Paxlovid, a COVID-19 treatment pill taken orally that can reduce the risk for severe symptoms and hospitalization by nearly 90 percent. The program and prescription are free, and residents do not need to have health insurance to access it. This program can be accessed here and is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese.

Rep. Stanley testifies on behalf of pesticide legislation

Rep. Stanley submitted a letter of support on behalf of H.4600, relative to pesticides, to Chair Michlewitz of the House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill, a redraft of H.3991, received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources in March and is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means. The increasing usage of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) by Pest Management Professionals is having a disastrous impact on the Commonwealth’s natural habitats and wildlife.

H.4600 seeks to prevent further usage of SGARs in the Commonwealth by requiring pest management companies to inform their clients of alternative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. This should help educate customers who may not be aware of or underestimate the environmental harms of rodenticide and its propensity of disrupting our fragile ecosystems. The bill also requires for all state-owned buildings and land to incorporate IPM strategies over SGARs, such as sealing cracks, proper trash management and proper outside upkeep to prevent nesting borrows. To better organize and track data on licensed pesticide use by pest management companies, H.4600 requires for the Commonwealth to digitize all record-keeping of SGARs usage.

Rep. Stanley supports first responder benefits legislation

In a letter to Chair Michlewitz of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Stanley urged favorable action on H.2781, legislation to provide public safety telecommunicators with the same internal benefits as first responders. The bill received a favorable recommendation from the Joint Committee on Public Safety back in March (3/21/22) and is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The bill establishes a clear definition for individuals considered public safety dispatchers or public safety telecommunicators to ensure that these professionals receive the same internal benefits as first responders. 911 dispatchers experience many of the same workplace stressors as first responders, impacting both their physical and mental health. These professionals also answered the call during the pandemic, working hundreds of thousands of extra hours to cover shifts during the pandemic. 

RMV Reminds Customers REAL ID Requirement Effective May 3, 2023

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding customers of the federal requirement that anyone traveling by plane domestically, or wishing to enter certain federal buildings, will need acceptable identification credentials, effective May 3, 2023. Acceptable credentials can include an RMV-issued REAL ID driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. The Registry is encouraging customers who are seeking a REAL ID compliant license or identification card to make an appointment at a statewide RMV Service Center to secure this credential before the federal requirement takes effect next year.

The RMV has posted helpful information on REAL ID requirements that customers can use to prepare for their in-person visits, including convenient document checklists to help pre-stage REAL ID applications, at Mass.Gov/ID. Documents required for this transaction include two proofs of Massachusetts residency, proof of a full Social Security Number (SSN), and proof of lawful presence. These required documents must be original or certified versions. The RMV recommends customers check these documents early, as well as to order replacements before license/ID expiration.

Marybeth Duffy Named Commonwealth Heroine 2022

Rep. Stanley nominated Marybeth Duffy, Director of the Waltham Council on Aging, to be a member of the Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2022. Her nomination was accepted by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. The annual Commonwealth Heroine honor goes to incredible women who are recognized as leaders and contributors to their community and the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t always make the news but truly make a difference. 

Marybeth Duffy, LICSW, is a clinical social worker who has been the director of the Waltham Council on Aging for over fourteen years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Providence College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College. She has worked in the field of geriatrics for her entire career. Her early life growing up in a four generation household with grandparents and great-grandparents seeded her appreciation and enjoyment of older adults. Her work settings have included those of a nursing home, medical hospital and inpatient geriatric-psychiatry unit. She has relished the challenges and fulfilling experiences of community work in the senior center setting. 

Massachusetts Becomes First State Certified as an Age-Friendly Employer

The Age Friendly-Institute designated the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a certified age-friendly employer, the first state government in the nation to earn this distinction. The “age-friendly” designation describes environments that promote access to services and opportunities for people as they age, and that prioritize the inclusion and participation of older adults in all aspects of life.

The Age-Friendly Institute has been certifying leading age-friendly workplaces since 2005 in its effort to support job seekers that are over 50 years old. Employers designated as Certified Age-Friendly Employers meet several criteria: values employees based on proficiency, qualifications, and contribution; maintains policies, practices, and programs supporting people age 50+; values employee knowledge, maturity, reliability, and productivity; and commits to meaningful employment, development opportunities, and competitive pay and benefits for employees 50+.

Commonwealth Launches New Internship Program to Give Thousands of Students Opportunities for STEM Work Experiences

The Baker Administration is launching a new internship program that will provide an additional 2,300 high school students with opportunities for paid work experiences in STEM fields and make it easier for companies to hire students by paying their salaries through local MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards. Approximately $4 million in grants will be awarded to the 16 regional Workforce Boards and 24 Career Centers across the Commonwealth, enabling them to pay students directly for the first time.

With this new internship program, more than 10,000 students annually will participate in state-sponsored internships when combined with the Connecting Activities program. Connecting Activities is a joint initiative of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development that supports college and career readiness for high school students by partnering with local MassHire Workforce Boards to connect schools with businesses. Each year, approximately 7,700 high school students participate in Connecting Activities internships.

Rep. Stanley Cosponsors Resolution Honoring North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

Rep. Stanley signed onto a joint resolution recognizing May 2 through May 6, 2022 as North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week and May 4, 2022 as Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day. The goal of NAOSH Week is to increase awareness of the importance of occupational safety and health to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day was approved by the American Society of Safety Professionals’ Board of Directors to express its gratitude to the thousands of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals who make it their mission to ensure that employees leave work at the end of each day uninjured and illness free. 

During the week of May 2 through May 6, 2022, the American Society of Safety Professionals’ members, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and corporate/association partners representing thousands of businesses mobilized in an effort to increase employer, employee and public awareness of being safe at work. Their goal is to encourage safe practices and to help companies and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts. On May 4, 2022, occupational safety and health professionals were recognized on Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day for their commitment to protecting people, property and the environment at work in communities across the Commonwealth.

Rep. Stanley co-signs letter regarding DCF hiring social work technicians

In a letter to Sec. Sudders & Commissioner Spears, Rep. Stanley expressed support for Local 509’s proposal of one social work technician per unit but applauded all efforts to increase the number of technicians. Social workers are burning out at an alarming rate, in no small part due to additional requirements that have been placed upon them in recent years. There are currently only about 125 social work technicians, compared to approximately 2900 social workers - approximately one social work technician for every 23 social workers.

Social work technicians can play a critical role within the Department by allowing case carrying social workers to focus more on clinical social work. Technicians can drive children to school and doctors appointments, supervise visits, conduct collateral checks, and many more essential tasks that don’t require clinical social work skills.

MSPCC Receives Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grant

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), which serves Waltham and Lincoln, recently received a FY23 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grant from the Department of Early Education & Care. The $756,287 grant will fund a network of services to support the social-emotional development and behavioral health of children in early education and care and out-of-school time settings. The ECMHC grantees will provide services and interventions to address child behavioral challenges; promote children’s well-being; and reduce suspension/expulsion in programs, including direct consultation, referrals, and coordination with community-based services. 

Rep. Stanley Cosponsors Brain Tumor Awareness Resolution

Rep. Stanley cosponsored a resolution being filed recognizing May as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Today, an estimated 700,000 people in the United States are living with a primary brain tumor, and approximately 88,970 more will be diagnosed in 2022, 1,600 in Massachusetts alone. Brain tumors can be deadly, significantly impact quality of life, and change everything for a patient and their loved ones. They do not discriminate, inflicting men, women, and children of all races and ethnicities. 

Healthy Waltham Presents Wellness Festival

Join your Waltham neighbors for a morning of fresh air, social walking, fun fitness challenges, healthy snacks and dancing on May 21 at 10am. Have fun and get active with the families of Waltham at the Waltham Wellness Festival at Prospect Hill Park, hosted by Healthy Waltham. This family-friendly community event is FREE and all are welcome. A free shuttle service is available between Waltham and Prospect Hill Park.  Healthy Waltham works to alleviate health disparities that exist in the City of Waltham and to improve the health outcomes of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Learn more.

Seasonal Highway Labor Program

MassDOT is excited to announce the creation of the Seasonal Highway Labor Program for 16 and 17-year-olds. This new program is an addition to its traditional summer program that offers seasonal jobs for individuals 18 and older. This new program will run from June 6, 2022, through August 26, 2022. The standard work week is full-time Monday through Friday and start times for shifts will vary depending upon placement. Positions are available at MassDOT Districts and Depots throughout the state of Massachusetts.