The Massachusetts Legislature concluded its 19-month formal session, passing a housing bond bill while leaving significant pieces of legislation, such as an economic development bill, a renewable energy bill, and a hospital bill unresolved. The Legislature is now in an informal session for the remainder of the year, during which a single lawmaker can impede the passing of any bills.
One of the approved bills awaiting Governor Maura Healey’s signature is the parentage law update. This bill aims to include LGBTQ+ parents and families who have used assisted reproduction and surrogacy methods, granting them parental rights such as attending medical appointments, managing finances, participating in educational decisions, and authorizing a child’s travel.
Another bill signed into law by Healey mandates that Massachusetts businesses with over 25 employees must disclose salary ranges when posting job openings, aligning the state with others that require wage transparency. The new law also empowers workers to inquire about salary ranges when applying for jobs or promotions, with the Attorney General’s Office authorized to impose fines for violations and protect employees against retaliation for seeking salary information.
Amidst the legislative wrap-up, a $5.2 billion housing bond package was passed to address the state’s housing shortage by facilitating the creation of accessory dwelling units and financing affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, a bill was signed to ensure that first responders injured in the line of duty receive full compensation until retirement if they suffer severe, permanent injuries on duty.
However, several crucial bills remained unresolved, including an economic development package supporting initiatives like a new soccer stadium and investing in life sciences and climate technology. The legislation also intended to address challenges in the healthcare sector and boost renewable energy in alignment with climate goals, like reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Lastly, a proposed bill for supervised injection sites, designed to aid individuals in drug overdose situations, failed to advance in the final stage of the legislative session.
