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.
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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.
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This session, Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following:
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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
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H1325, An Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public higher education system
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H550, An Act to achieve universal pre-kindergarten
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H714, An Act relative to universal school meals
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H1336/H1337, An Act creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities
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H1363, An Act to ensure minimum fair wages and employment stability for adjunct faculty
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H695, An Act relative to physical and social recess in schools
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H568, An Act to place a moratorium on high stakes testing for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency
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H666, An Act to expand the capacity of career technical schools and programs
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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.
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Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following healthcare bills this session:
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H1087, An Act regarding cervical cancer and women's preventative health (Primary Sponsor)
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H2289, An Act relative to Parkinson's Disease public awareness and education (Primary Sponsor)
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H2290, An Act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery (Primary Sponsor)
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H488, An Act relative to non-medical healthcare expenses related to prevention of COVID-19 (Primary Sponsor)
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S1471, An Act relative to newborn screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus
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H2386, An Act relative to improving outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest
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H2253, An Act to create a timely stroke system of care to save lives
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H366, An Act to provide increased access to hearing aids
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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
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H1173, An Act relative to a dental patient bill of rights
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H722, An Act relative to early-onset Alzheimer's disease
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H739, An Act to improve Alzheimer's’ and dementia care in senior care options programs
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H1268, An Act relative to stabilizing the Commonwealth’s nursing facilities
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H1313, An Act relative to infection control in nursing facilities
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H738, An Act relative to promoting innovation in eldercare services
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H736, An Act promoting the betterment of resident health and safety in long term care facilities
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H2122, An Act relative to the safe care of residents with active substance use disorder accessing skilled nursing care
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H2292, An Act relative to preventing death by drug overdose (Primary Sponsor)
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H2081, An Act to better coordinate suicide prevention services, behavioral health crisis care and emergency services through 988 implementation
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H266, An Act relative to a loan repayment program for human service workers
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H219, An Act to enhance hospital care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities
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H1311, An Act relative to step therapy and patient safety
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H1089, An Act promoting continuity of care for Multiple Sclerosis treatment
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H2125, An Act helping overdosing persons in emergencies

ENVIRONMENTALÂ 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.
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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:
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H3288, An Act transitioning Massachusetts to clean electricity, heating and transportation
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H3888, An Act relative to the purchase of new and pre-owned electric vehicles
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H1955, An Act relative to clean energy workforce standards and accountability
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H2263, An Act to restrict the use of polystyrene
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H916, An Act relative to the facilities dealing with refuse (Primary Sponsor)
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H3991, An Act relative to pesticides
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H898, An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management
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H926, An Act relative to improving pesticide protections for Massachusetts schoolchildren
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H904, An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices
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H2148, An Act protecting the health and safety of puppies and kittens in cities and towns
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H1850, An Act enhancing the issuance of citations for cruel conditions for animals
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H406, An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians
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H384, An Act banning the retail sale of cats and dogs in pet shops
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H966, An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing
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H890, An Act protecting research animals
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H903, An Act relative to ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking
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H864/S2481, An Act upgrading hen welfare and establishing uniform cage-free standards
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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.
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Below are bills Representative Galvin co-sponsored this session:
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H2842, An Act to remove the film tax credit expiration date
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H1972, An Act relative to apprenticeship programs
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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)
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H1978, An Act relative to prohibit contract provisions requiring subcontractors to assume liability for the negligence of others
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H1970, An Act relative to transparency in employee benefits reporting in private construction
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H1959, An Act to prevent wage theft, promote employer accountability, and enhance public enforcement
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H2648, An Act relative to Parkinson's disease disability and death in firefighters
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H237, An Act relative to fair pay for comparable work
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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:
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H1819, An Act to reform the hate crime statutes
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H1907, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural hairstyles
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H682, An Act relative to educator diversity
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H692, An Act concerning genocide education
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H805, An Act fostering voting opportunities, trust, equity, and security
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H3152, An Act to modernize participation in public meetings
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H2531, An Act relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities
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H1711, An Act prohibiting discrimination against adults with disabilities in family and juvenile court proceedings
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H1709, An Act to end child marriage in Massachusetts
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ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES
Representative Galvin has co-sponsored the following bills to provide assistance to families experiencing economic instability:
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H202, An Act improving emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness
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H250, An Act relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program (SNAP HIP Program)
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H1436, An Act promoting housing stability and homelessness prevention in Massachusetts
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H199, An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty
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