Arc Platform
2007-2008 Legislative Session
*The Arc is the primary sponsor, or one of the primary sponsors, of bills marked with an asterisk*
This will be the third 2-year Legislative Session during which this bill will be filed. The bill would require national background checks for all individuals who apply for work with DMR or its vendor agencies. Filed by Rep. Martin Walsh.
April 2, 2008: Reported favorably out of Judiciary Committee.
H109 - An Act to Ensure the Humane Treatment of Disabled Persons*
This bill, filed in various iterations for the last 20 years, would ban aversive therapy in Massachusetts. Filed by Rep. Barbara L'Italien.
January 16, 2008: Hearing held by Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Visit our Aversive Therapy page for more information on this issue.
 See 2006 testimony by Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and Coalition for the Legal Rights of People with Disabilities **
See 2006 testimony by Disability Law Center **
Creates a commission to investigate and make legislative recommendations on the adequacy and effectiveness of laws and regulations governing the use of behavior modification techniques, including aversive procedures and the principles of applied behavior analysis across all publicly operated and/or funded agencies. Filed by Sen. Brian Joyce and Rep. John Scibak.
Jan. 16, 2008: Hearing held by Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities.
H2244, S1124 - An Act relative to behavior analysts* (new bill)
Creates a new state licensing requirement for "Associate behavior analyst" and "Behavior analyst." Such individuals must demonstrate active status; must have fulfilled all requirements for renewal and recertification as a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst©; and must conduct their professional activities in accordance with accepted standards, such as the Ethical Standards of Psychologists of the American Psychological Association, and the Guidelines for Responsible Conduct of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board©. Administration and oversight of licensure shall be maintained by the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure. Filed by Sen. Brian Joyce and Rep. John Scibak.
Jan. 16, 2008: Public Hearing held by Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
March 18, 2006: Sent to study by Committee on CFPD.
H37 - An Act relative to the development of underutilized facilities and state-owned property formerly operated by the Department of Mental Health or the Department of Mental Retardation for supported housing for chronically mentally ill and disabled*This will be the third Session during which this bill will be filed. The bill proposes a mechanism to capture the proceeds of the sale or disposition of surplus property for use in creating housing for persons served by the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Supported by the Citizens' Housing And Planning Association (CHAPA) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Massachusetts chapter. Refiled by Rep. Kay Khan.
March 20, 2008: Referred to Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets.
H135 - An Act creating a means for tracking the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts* (new bill)
This bill would establish the means to gather more data towards assessing the unmet needs of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Filed by Rep. Tom Sannicandro.
Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
June 27, 2007. Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Directs DMR to develop a model for the implementation of self-directed services and supports. Filed by Rep. Tom Sannicandro.
Referred to Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Discharged and sent to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
June 27, 2007: Reported favorably and referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.
See testimony by Megan Rasbold-Gabbard - June 27, 2007
Referred to House Chamber for vote on the floor. Hearing schedule TBA.
S2481 - An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts; Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals*
This bill is part of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow's legislative agenda (The Arc is on the Alliance's Governing and Legislative Boards). The bill expands the existing Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) by creating a program to replace toxic chemicals with safer alternatives in consumer products and other businesses. It will target the most toxic chemicals in wide use in Massachusetts which are currently replaceable with feasible safer alternatives for many of their current uses.
Filed by Sen. Steve Tolman and Rep. Jay Kaufman.
June 11, 2007: Reported out of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture.
See fact sheet on this bill
This is a re-file of a bill that would gradually phase in parity between the wages of state and vendor employees. Currently, state employees are compensated at a rate that is generally one-third higher for direct care positions. Filed by Rep. Antonio Cabral.
Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
May 2, 2007: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
H3349, S1382 - An Act Further Regulating Parking for Handicapped Persons
This bill is a technical clarification for an existing Massachusetts General Law pertaining to the cross hatch access aisles adjacent to handicap parking spaces. Handicap parking spaces are required to be at least eight feet wide (not including the cross hatch access aisles, where no parking is acceptable). The corresponding sign should be of white lettering against a blue background clearly indicating the reservation with the following phrase: "Handicapped Parking: Special Plate Required. Unauthorized Vehicles May be Removed at Owner's Expense." These spaces should be located near a door or entrance way, and/or near curb ramps and walkways. Filed by Sen. Cynthia S. Creem and Rep. Mary Grant.
June 13, 2007: Senate Bill referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
June 21, 2007: House Bill referred to Joint Committee on Transportation.
H2221 - An Act Authorizing Dental Hygienists to Practice in Public Health Settings
This bill is an amendment to the already existing Massachusetts General Law allowing registered dental hygienists to practice in public health settings if necessary. The hygienist is required to enter into a collaborative communicative agreement with a licensed dentist, state or local government, or institution in order to ensure patient safety. Public hygienists will be reimbursed by Medicaid for any work performed, but they must likewise refer patients to the proper facilities should further treatment be necessary. This bill does not allow hygienists to work independently of licensed dentists, with a few exceptions, such as working for a local or state government agency or institution. Filed by Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli.
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health.
October 24, 2007: Hearing scheduled
H1876 - An Act to change the title of the Department of Retardation
This bill would change the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services. This is a re-filed bill with new language that addresses concerns expressed by The Arc during the previous session. Filed by Rep. Michael A. Costello.
Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Discharged and referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
June 27, 2007: Hearing scheduled
The Arc's testimony - June 27, 2007
IMPORTANT: Please note that language changing the name of DMR to Department of Developmental Services (the same as this bill proposes) was inserted into the Senate's FY09 budget. If the House adopts the same language in Conference Committee, the name change will become law and will negate the need for H1876. Please go to our Action Center to support this change.
This bill will ensure that all law enforcement personnel throughout the state receive appropriate training in techniques that allow for successful interventions with people who have both mental illness and other intellectual disabilities, including autism. Filed by Sen. Cynthia Creem. Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security. Hearing held April 25, 2007.
S286 An Act to maintain transition age requirements for students with disabilities
This bill will maintain transition age requirements for students with disabilities (age will remain 14 as per current DOE requirements). Filed by Sen. Ed Augustus. Referred to Joint Committee on Education. Hearing held October 16, 2007.
The Arc has submitted testimony in support of following legislation, which is consistent with our platform but has not been formally adopted by The Arc:
H1511 - an Act reinstituting the death penalty in the Commonwealth
Refiled bill, originally sponsored by Mitt Romney and characterized by the former Governor as the "gold standard for the death penalty in the modern age." Filed by Rep. Bradley Jones. Referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Reported ought NOT to pass by Joint Committee on Judiciary. Bill defeated by full House 110-46. Click here for roll call.
"Dover amendment" education-use exemption component of state zoning statute.
S83 and S118, both entitled: An Act Protecting Disabled Persons from Financial Exploitation
Check back for status updates and action alerts as the Legislature continues work on these bills!
Last Updated 3/17/08
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