Pat’s Bills
2021-2022 Session
S.409
An act relative to authorize common sense health practices in assisted living
This important legislation authorizes assisted living residences (ALRs) to exercise an option to provide an expanded set of basic health services to its residents: providing injections, such as Insulin; managing oxygen; application of drops or ointments; and/or changing a dressing and managing wound care. Before permitting nurses to provide direct care for one or more of these services, an ALR would have to apply for authorization to do so through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA). Additionally, EOEA would be required to consult with The Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish regulations.
S. 475
An Act supporting parents running for public office
Currently, candidates for state and local office cannot use their campaign funds for childcare. This issue came to Senator Jehlen’s attention when a single mother in Somerville ran for School Committee, a seat the Senator once held, and faced the same challenges as a parent and a candidate. The Commission on the Status of Women made this bill a priority, as it has the potential to help more women run for office.
S.774
An act clarifying rate setting processes for home health and home care services
Also known as “Enough Pay to Stay”, this legislation is intended to help attract and retain the most qualified and dedicated workforce essential to providing home and community based services to the Commonwealth’s vulnerable elders, persons with disabilities and children and individuals with medically complex needs. It does not dictate specific dollar amounts but, rather, ensures rates set by the state follow the rate setting laws and reflect the actual operating costs incurred by home health and home care providers.
S.890
An act to guarantee a tenant’s Opportunity to Purchase act-TOPA
This legislation would help preserve affordable housing and protect the rights of tenants. Through this bill, tenants would have the right of first refusal should their landlord attempt to sell the property they live in. This means that tenants who are organized can come together and purchase the building themselves and keep it in their hands. Too many times we see property owners sell their property, and the current residents get evicted and the rent in the property increased, if not outright destroyed and rebuilt. Given the housing crisis we are currently in, both as a district and a nation, keeping people in the homes they do manage to get is crucial to keeping housing affordable.
S.1055
An Act relative to compensation for victims of wrongful conviction
Twice in the last 20 years Senator Jehlen has passed landmark legislation to compensate victims of wrongful convictions, in 2004 and 2018. Yet, many provisions of the law still do not support exonerees to return to life outside incarceration. This bill establishes a program for immediate supports for exonerees that include social services, healthcare and cash assistance while they work to receive compensation from the state. In addition, the bill would lower the burden on exonerees to be successful in claiming money from the state for the decades of time they often spent incarcerated wrongfully.
S.1216
An act relative to establish a Commission on Unemployment Trust Fund Solvency
The 2020 Covid19 pandemic saw an unprecedented need for unemployment benefits, with nearly $6B in state funds paid out over 18 months. Because the taxes and rates supporting the benefits were structurally insolvent, Senator Jehlen led a successful effort to bring light to funding shortfalls through the Unemployment Trust Fund Study Commission. Over 12 months of meetings, details, and proposals on the fund were debated and discussed.
S.1445
An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools
Inspired by movements in schools both in her district and around Massachusetts, Senator Jehlen filed this bill to make menstrual products available in schools, prisons, and homeless shelters free of charge. The bill is a priority for MassNOW and the Commission on the Status of Women.
S.1599
An Act to remove barriers to medical parole
As part of comprehensive criminal justice reform passed in 2018, medical parole in Massachusetts was established to maintain public safety and eliminate wasteful public spending on incarcerating dying or incapacitated prisoners while providing a measure of public decency toward incarcerated people who are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated. This bill clarifies the current requirements in order to achieve the original intent of the law.
S.1884
An Act relative to the estate tax
With the rise in property values and the cost of living, the estate tax can sometimes cause unintended consequences for certain families who are not necessarily the target of the tax. This progressive estate tax plan would provide a tax credit for those families whose estates just barely surpass the minimum requirement to be taxed while raising taxes on the wealthiest of the wealthy estates to make up for any lost revenue.
S.2340
An Act relative to fare free buses
Transit access is a key measure to improve equity and access to good paying jobs, medical appointments, and life activities. For many people, MBTA fares and passes are major expenses that cause limited usage of the system, financial hardship, in addition to the slowing of buses because of fare collection. Following the success of many Regional Transit Authorities that experimented with fare-free pilots for buses, this legislation would require pilots to be created in every transit system in the state, including the MBTA.