Recent Bills – Chapter supported/opposed
Legislative Report
The Chapter has provided testimony and/or letters of support or opposition for the following budgetary and legislative items:
- Budget - Universal Immunization Program, State Budget Line Item 4580-1000 – The Chapter supported an increase of $23,000,000 in addition to $62,000,000 allotted for existing vaccines. This increase would cover new vaccines (HPV, Rotavirus, and Meningococcal). The HPV vaccine was not funded.
- Budget - The Chapter was instrumental in restoring funding for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP).
- Amendment – The Chapter supported Amendment 432 – “Childhood Immunization Registry” which would ensure compliance with national vaccination recommendations for all children in the state
This amendment was not adopted.
- Omnibus Mental Health Reform Bill - The Chapter supported “An Act Improving and Expanding Behavioral Health Services for Children in the Commonwealth” – H. 1872 and S. 1133. This bill proposes to:
- Identify Affected Children Early
- Treat in Most Appropriate Settings
- Improve Insurance Coverage
- Improve Delivery Of State Services
This bill was passed and was signed into law.
- The Chapter opposed “An Act Relating to Advance Practice Nurses” – S. 1236 – This bill gives nurse anesthetists the ability to “order and interpret tests, order therapeutics and prescribe medications” in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board of Registration in Nursing.
This bill did not pass.
- The Chapter supported - An Act Relative to the Regulation of Snow and Recreation Vehicles – S.2772. This bill would restrict the use of ATVs by children under the age of 16.
This bill did not pass.
- The Chapter supported H. 4376 “An Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition” which will establish healthy standards for snacks and beverages sold in vending machines, school stores, and cafeteria a la carte lines.
This bill did not pass.
- The Chapter supported H. 4346, entitled, “An Act Protecting the Public Health,” which is also known as the Trans Fat Bill to restrict the use of trans fats in foods served in restaurants and hotels in the Commonwealth.
This bill passed the house and the senate
- The Chapter supported “An Act Relative to Food Allergy in Restaurants - S.136. This goal of this bill is to help restaurant establishments in Massachusetts better manage food-allergic consumers.
This bill did not pass.
- The Chapter opposed a bill entitled “Act Relative to a Board of Registration in Midwifery” - S2636. This bill would require that three types of midwives to be licensed by the Commonwealth under a Board of Midwifery
This bill did not pass.
- The Chapter supported “An Act to Promote Cost Containment”S. 2526 – This bill addresses the lack of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in Massachusetts.
This bill passed.
- The Chapter supported “An Act Relative to Child Passenger Safety “- S. 2018 which would require children under age 8 to be placed in a booster seat and secured by a seat belt.
This bill was passed.