LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
2021 - 2022 Legislative Session
EDUCATION
Thanks to our hardworking school administrators and dedicated teachers, Massachusetts schools continue to rank #1 nationally. Representative Galvin was proud to support the Student Opportunity Act in 2019, which will further invest in our schools and ensure all students receive a high quality education, no matter their zip code or family's economic status. Despite the pandemic, the Legislature was able to make the first deposit into the new Student Opportunity account and fully fund our schools in the FY22 Budget.
This session, the focus is on early education and affordable higher education. Early education is essential for children to have a good start, but many options in Massachusetts are too expensive for the average family. Teachers in the early education field have a difficult and important job, but are frequently underpaid and under appreciated. Representative Galvin continues to support increases in funding for early education to expand opportunities for our state's youngest residents and to retain skilled teachers. Representative Galvin also supports programs and funding to make higher education more affordable for residents and increase funding and options for technical schools.
This session, Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following:
H605, An Act providing affordable and accessible high quality early education and care to promote child development and well-being and support the economy in the Commonwealth
H1325, An Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public higher education system
H550, An Act to achieve universal pre-kindergarten
H714, An Act relative to universal school meals
H1336/H1337, An Act creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities
H1363, An Act to ensure minimum fair wages and employment stability for adjunct faculty
H695, An Act relative to physical and social recess in schools
H568, An Act to place a moratorium on high stakes testing for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency
H666, An Act to expand the capacity of career technical schools and programs
H2937, An Act in aid of libraries
HEALTHCARE
Massachusetts residents are fortunate to have access to some of the best medical care and hospitals in the word. Unfortunately, many Massachusetts residents face barriers to care. Representative Galvin is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Massachusetts residents. Recently, the Legislature expanded telehealth and COVID care options for all residents.
Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following healthcare bills this session:
H1087, An Act regarding cervical cancer and women's preventative health (Primary Sponsor)
H2289, An Act relative to Parkinson's Disease public awareness and education (Primary Sponsor)
H2290, An Act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery (Primary Sponsor)
H488, An Act relative to non-medical healthcare expenses related to prevention of COVID-19 (Primary Sponsor)
S1471, An Act relative to newborn screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus
H2386, An Act relative to improving outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest
H2253, An Act to create a timely stroke system of care to save lives
H366, An Act to provide increased access to hearing aids
H2329, An Act relative to accelerating improvements to the local and regional public health system to address disparities in the delivery of public health services
H1173, An Act relative to a dental patient bill of rights
H722, An Act relative to early-onset Alzheimer's disease
H739, An Act to improve Alzheimer's’ and dementia care in senior care options programs
H1268, An Act relative to stabilizing the Commonwealth’s nursing facilities
H1313, An Act relative to infection control in nursing facilities
H738, An Act relative to promoting innovation in eldercare services
H736, An Act promoting the betterment of resident health and safety in long term care facilities
H2122, An Act relative to the safe care of residents with active substance use disorder accessing skilled nursing care
H2292, An Act relative to preventing death by drug overdose (Primary Sponsor)
H2081, An Act to better coordinate suicide prevention services, behavioral health crisis care and emergency services through 988 implementation
H266, An Act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers
H219, An Act to enhance hospital care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities
H1311, An Act relative to step therapy and patient safety
H1089, An Act promoting continuity of care for Multiple Sclerosis treatment
H2125, An Act helping overdosing persons in emergencies
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Representative Galvin was proud to support and vote for sweeping legislation last session to tackle climate change. Building on previous climate legislation, this new law creates a blueprint for the state to expand renewable energy sectors while also creating new jobs in these fields. The new law also implements protections for environmental justice communities that have long been neglected.
This session, Representative Galvin is signed on as a co-sponsor to a variety of bills to curb climate change, protect our natural resources, and improve animal welfare. These include:
H3288, An Act transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating and transportation
H3888, An Act relative to the purchase of new and pre-owned electric vehicles
H1955, An Act relative to clean energy workforce standards and accountability
H2263, An Act to restrict the use of polystyrene
H916, An Act relative to the facilities dealing with refuse (Primary Sponsor)
H3991, An Act relative to pesticides
H898, An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management
H926, An Act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren
H904, An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices
H2148, An Act protecting the health and safety of puppies and kittens in cities and towns
H1850, An Act enhancing the issuance of citations for cruel conditions for animals
H406, An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians
H384, An Act banning the retail sale of cats and dogs in pet shops
H966, An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing
H890, An Act protecting research animals
H903, An Act relative to ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking
H864/S2481, An Act upgrading hen welfare and establishing uniform cage-free standards
H2547, An Act providing for the care and transportation of police dogs injured in the line of duty (Nero's law)
LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Representative Galvin supports economic development programs that encourage job creation, job training, and worker protections.
Below are bills Representative Galvin co-sponsored this session:
H2842, An Act to remove the film tax credit expiration date
H1972, An Act relative to apprenticeship programs
H2046, An Act relative to compliance with the prevailing wage laws of the Commonwealth
H3145, An Act relative to timely public payments for work not included in original construction contracts (Primary Sponsor)
H1978, An Act relative to prohibit contract provisions requiring subcontractors to assume liability for the negligence of others
H1970, An Act relative to transparency in employee benefits reporting in private construction
H1959, An Act to prevent wage theft, promote employer accountability, and enhance public enforcement
H2648, An Act relative to Parkinson's disease disability and death in firefighters
H237, An Act relative to fair pay for comparable work
EQUITY
Representative Galvin believes every resident should have an equal opportunity for success in Massachusetts and deserves to feel safe, seen, and respected. Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following bills this session that promote transparency, equity, safety, and inclusion:
H1819, An Act to reform the hate crime statutes
H1907, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural hairstyles
H682, An Act relative to educator diversity
H692, An Act concerning genocide education
H805, An Act fostering voting opportunities, trust, equity, and security
H3152, An Act to modernize participation in public meetings
H2531, An Act relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities
H1711, An Act prohibiting discrimination against adults with disabilities in family and juvenile court proceedings
H1709, An Act to end child marriage in Massachusetts
ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES
Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following bills to provide assistance to families experiencing economic instability:
H202, An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness
H250, An Act relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program (SNAP HIP Program)
H1436, An Act promoting housing stability and homelessness prevention in Massachusetts
H199, An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty