Friday, June 20th Legislative & Public Health Updates
- hannanur3
- Jun 23
- 16 min read
Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, Cambridge, and public health updates. If you want even more updates, please follow me on Instagram @repdecker.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
Public Health Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Cambridge Updates
Recent Press
Services and Resources
Legislative Updates
Hearings on Bills that I Filed
I am grateful to the Chairs of the Telecommunications, Utilities, & Energy and Education Committees for holding legislative hearings this week on two of my bills:
An Act to expand the bottle bill (H.3474) would increase the bottle deposit rate from 5 to 10 cents, expand the types of bottles collected, and create a study for a bottle return and refill system.
An Act to promote safe firearm storage education and increase the well-being of students (H.548) would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a model for school districts to disseminate information about safe firearm storage to families.
Fair Share Supplemental Budget
On Wednesday, I voted with my colleagues to enact the conference committee report for the supplemental budgets passed by the House and the Senate, utilizing surplus revenue derived from the Fair Share Amendment this fiscal year. The $1.3 billion budget included $716 million for transportation and $593.5 million for education.
The transportation investments include $300 million to replenish the T's budget reserve account, $175 million in workforce and safety funding to pay for implementation of Federal Transit Administration recommendations, $40 million for physical infrastructure upgrades, and $20 million for the T's low-income fare relief program. The budget also includes $103 million in transportation-related aid to cities and towns and $73 million targeted for regional transit initiatives.
Of the $593.5 million included for education, the majority — $240.8 million — will go towards special education circuit breaker reimbursements for school districts for FY25 and FY26 costs, helping the state meet the 75% reimbursement rate set out in the Student Opportunity Act. It also includes $100 million for career technical education capital grants, $45 million for workforce, affordability and quality improvement initiatives in the early education sector, $25 million for "high dosage tutoring" to support literacy among students in grades K-3, $10 million to reduce the waitlist for English language learners, and $10 million to support a Holocaust museum in Boston. There is also $115 million for public higher education deferred maintenance costs, including $10 million to modernize labs at community colleges.
Addressing Food Insecurity in Massachusetts
This week, the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham published their fifth annual food access study, which showed that “over the last five years, food insecurity among Massachusetts households has steadily increased, rising from 19 percent in 2019 to 37 percent in 2024.” Food insecurity rates were highest among Black and Hispanic households (46 and 62 percent, respectively); LGBTQ+ individuals (56 percent); and veterans (35 percent). As the study points out, “addressing food insecurity requires a sustained, coordinated effort.” That is exactly why Sen. Sal DiDomenico and I filed An Act significantly alleviating poverty (HD4622), the ASAP Act. This omnibus anti-poverty bill targets the root causes of food insecurity and poverty by giving people increased direct cash benefits and more economic opportunities. The food access study serves to highlight the urgency of advancing evidence-based, community-driven solutions like those in the ASAP Act, which was informed by recommendations of the Massachusetts Poverty Commission as well as testimony from advocates and individuals with lived experience in poverty.
Public Health Updates
BPHC and DPH Report Possible Measles Exposure in Boston
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) have issued a warning following the visit of a person with measles to Boston on June 7th and 8th. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus, which can lead to severe complications and even death. The illness begins with flu-like symptoms, such as cough, high fever, and a runny nose, followed by a red, blotchy rash that spreads across the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is an airborne disease that spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to officials, the infected individual visited several locations in Boston, including the Westin Boston Seaport District Hotel, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Logan Airport Terminal C. DPH has been working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed. Those who are unvaccinated against measles and may have been exposed are urged to contact their healthcare provider and monitor for symptoms. As of June 12, there have been a total of 1,197 confirmed measles cases across the U.S., but no cases have been reported in Massachusetts.
Supreme Court Upholds Tennessee Law Banning Gender Affirming Care for Youth
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban that restricts access to gender affirming care for minors, a setback for transgender rights across the country. In 2023, Tennessee enacted a law, SB 1, which prohibits healthcare providers from prescribing or performing medical treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for individuals under 18 who are experiencing gender dysphoria. The case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, was brought by the Biden Administration, along with three families with transgender children and a physician who provides treatments to patients with gender dysphoria. They argued that Tennessee’s law violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which requires the government to treat individuals in similar situations equally. In a 6-3 decision, the Court concluded that Tennessee’s law does not constitute a form of sex discrimination that would violate the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, nor is it subject to a heightened level of judicial review. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that a federal civil rights law protects gay, lesbian, and transgender workers from sex discrimination in the workplace; this decision is not affected by Wednesday’s ruling. Currently, 26 states have laws similar to Tennessee’s. This decision comes amid many efforts and restrictions by the Trump Administration and other state governments targeting transgender people, from bathroom use to sports participation.
Trump Administration to End Specialized Support to LGBTQ Callers Beginning in July
This week, the Trump administration instructed the national suicide prevention hotline to stop offering specialized support to LGBTQ youth callers beginning in July, stating that those callers would have to rely on the hotline’s general services. The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that has specifically provided support to LGBTQ callers to the 988 suicide prevention line, announced on Wednesday it received a stop-work order, effective July 18, for that service. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and provides free and confidential mental health support via call, text or chat for those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Specialized support for LGBTQ callers was first introduced in 2020, after legislation passed by Congress required the 988 Lifeline to provide services and staff specifically for LGBTQ people. The 988 Lifeline has received almost 1.3 million contacts from LGBTQ people since then. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, 39% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide between 2023 and 2024, and 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care during that period were unable to get it. In a statement released this week, SAMHSA affirmed that “LGB+” youth will still be able to receive support from the general 988 Lifeline and that anyone calling the Lifeline will still have access to compassion and help. The Trevor Project has also stated that LGBTQ youth can still access its hotline, although it is unclear if it will have enough bandwidth to support the same volume of 988 Lifeline callers.
I want to directly address the loss of specialized support for LGBTQ+ callers in crisis and the Supreme Court ruling on gender affirming care. These despicable actions have caused fear, rage, and uncertainty for LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Massachusetts and across the country. To members of this community: I see you, I am with you, and my commitment to protecting your rights is unwavering. I continue to work with providers, advocates, the MA Department of Public Health, and my colleagues to ensure that LGBTQ+ residents get the care and support they need, when and where they need it.
Massachusetts Federal Judge Rules NIH Grant Cuts Illegal
A U.S. District Court Judge ruled it was illegal for the Trump administration to revoke hundreds of research grants for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday. The suit, brought forth in April by a group of scientists and health groups, alleged that the abrupt cancellation of NIH grants mentioning diversity, gender and vaccine hesitancy illegally “purged” research funding along ideological lines and threatened medical cures and advancements against the will of Congress. Grant Watch, a volunteer effort to track 2025 funding cuts, has reported that over 2,500 NIH grants have been cancelled, many of which were studies currently in progress or almost complete. Judge William Young of the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. asserted that the cuts amounted to racial discrimination and discrimination against LGBTQ people, stating that he had “never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable.” He ruled that the Trump administration’s targeting of grants focused on the health of Black communities, women and LGBTQ people was arbitrary and capricious given the lack of factual explanation provided by the administration for the cuts.
First WNV-Positive Mosquito Sample of the Season Detected in MA
State public health officials announced that the first mosquito infected with the West Nile Virus (WNV) of the season was detected on June 13 in Shrewsbury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile Virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.Symptoms can include fever and flu-like illness, although most people infected with WNV do not experience any symptoms. Individuals over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of severe disease. Additionally, there were four human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) last year, although this virus has not yet been detected this season. While there is no vaccine for WNV available for humans, prevention includes community-level control programs to reduce mosquito populations and personal protective measures to decrease exposure. The state’s Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends using EPA-registered mosquito repellents, emptying and scrubbing containers that hold standing water, installing and repairing screens on windows, and wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs. DPH also provides an online dashboard to track risk level maps for EEE and WNV based on seasonal testing.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Monday, I met with the Massachusetts Medical Society and the ACLU of Massachusetts to discuss An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment (H.2196), legislation that I filed with Chair John Lawn to establish a harm reduction program framework that includes overdose prevention centers with authorization from the Department of Public Health. We know that overdose prevention centers save lives and have seen successful models in New York and Rhode Island. I will continue partnering with advocates, providers, and colleagues to advance this critical public health initiative.
I met with Department of Corrections Commissioner Shawn Jenkins on Monday afternoon regarding newly implemented policies restricting visitation. We had a productive conversation about my concerns that limiting visitation inhibits the community connections necessary for re-integration after incarceration. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, I have been in constant communication with advocates for incarcerated people and impacted community members to understand how the policies have affected them. I also sent a letter to Commissioner Jenkins communicating my concerns about these policy changes last month.
On Tuesday morning, I attended the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition’s Annual Meeting. According to data from the Cambridge Community Foundation, there are 500+ nonprofits operating in the city. Nonprofits continue to be the backbone of our community; however, they also continue to struggle with revenue and federal cuts. I am so grateful to all of the amazing organizations that are devoted to providing services and resources to people in our community and beyond, and empowering them to thrive.
It was great to see so many organizations that I work closely with, including three that I secured funding for in the FY26 House budget: the Cambridge Community Center, Food For Free, and the YWCA Cambridge.
It was an honor to be invited to speak at the HRI 4 Mellen Street Groundbreaking. The lack of affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues facing Cambridge and the Commonwealth, and I appreciate HRI’s dedication to creating high-quality, people-centered affordable housing in Cambridge. I am proud that last session, the Legislature passed the most significant housing investment in the history of the Commonwealth with a $6.5 billion bond bill. Since my time on the City Council, I have been dedicated to working to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing or a safe shelter when necessary. I will continue to advocate for funding to support and expand affordable housing.
It was great to see so many good partners and dedicated public servants at this groundbreaking, including Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Mayor E. Denise Simmons, and Councillors Ayesha M. Wilson and Sumbul Siddiqui. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui, and I all grew up in public housing in this community, and we represent, in our own ways, the various hopes of the American dream that are realized when we invest in affordable housing. While new construction of affordable housing can generate pushback, I am so excited that 29 new families will be able to experience the breadth of resources and opportunities in the city once construction is completed.
Members of my staff stopped by the Juvenile Justice Reform Coalition’s legislative briefing in honor of Youth Justice Advocacy Day. My bill, An Act to enhance fairness and increase positive outcomes for children (H.1658), was highlighted as a priority of the Coalition. The bill would enhance oversight of juvenile electronic monitoring by requiring a court review every 30 days for GPS monitoring orders exceeding one month, unless waived. It mandates credit toward confinement for each day a juvenile is monitored and requires the Juvenile Court Department to collect and annually report detailed demographic and usage data on electronic monitoring.
I am proud to partner with several members of the Coalition, including Citizens for Juvenile Justice and Massachusetts Advocates for Children, on legislation regarding justice-involved youth. Thank you to Leader Jim O’Day for hosting the briefing.
My staff also attended a legislative teach-in on the Fairness for Farmworkers Act on Tuesday. The Act is comprised of An Act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers and An Act relative to overtime pay for agricultural workers. Together, these bills would allow farmworkers to earn minimum wage and overtime, both of which they are currently exempt from. In order to address the injustice of paying these essential workers subminimum wages, Sen. Sal DiDomenico and I included language allowing farmworkers to earn minimum wage in our omnibus anti-poverty bill, An Act significantly alleviating poverty (HD4622).
This week, I met with advocates to discuss An Act relative to toxic-free medical devices (HD.4615). This legislation aims to prohibit the manufacture and sale of intravenous (IV) solutions and IV tubing that contain intentionally added DEHP, a chemical known to be harmful to human health. DEHP can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, and it tends to leach into IV fluids from the bags in which they are stored. Research indicates that DEHP is an endocrine disruptor, is associated with an increased risk of cancer, and can negatively impact the reproductive system. I am committed to safeguarding human and environmental health from toxic chemicals, and I look forward to reviewing this and other bills to protect the environment during this session.
Prior to the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee hearing on Tuesday, I met with MASSPIRG staff Janet Domenitz and Deirdre Cummings, along with a group of young activists who came to the State House to testify in support of my bill, An Act to expand the bottle bill (H.3474). It is such a pleasure to meet young people engaged in the legislative process, and I am grateful for the energy and enthusiasm that they bring to environmental advocacy.
I was proud to attend the raising of the Juneteenth flag at the State House, hosted by my colleagues in the Black and Latino caucus. As we honor the day of Juneteenth, we must acknowledge that enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, first heard the news that enslavement ended two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
It is a time to reflect and recommit ourselves to the fight for justice and freedom in every thread of our society. We know the horrific acts committed during enslavement continue to have rippling effects on the disparities of health outcomes, wealth, and opportunity gaps.
Identifying systemic racism and continuing to address racial inequities is recognition that more work needs to be done. We can make policy and budget choices that change what are not inevitable differences but consequences of human rights violations rooted in the United States’ enslavement of African people.
On Wednesday evening, I joined Community Labor United for their annual Salt of the Earth awards. In a time where the world is on fire and we are constantly receiving concerning updates from D.C., it was refreshing to be in a space honoring incredible people doing very important work in the labor movement and the broader community. Congratulations to Mayor Michelle Wu, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) President Jimmy Williams, Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, Greater Boston Building Trades Union General Agent Chaton Green, New England Community Project Executive Directo Noemi “Mimi” Ramos, and Alternatives for Community and Environment Executive Director Dwaign Tyndal for this well-deserved recognition.
It was great to see so many friends honored and celebrating the honorees, including Representative Sam Montano, SEIU 509 President Dave Foley, and Greater Boston Labor Council President Darlene Lombos, among many others.
I was honored to march with my good friends Mayor E. Denise Simmons and Mr. Lawrence Adkins in Cambridge’s Juneteenth Parade. The parade was followed by a powerful and exuberant celebration in Riverside Press Park, where we came together as a community to recognize the legacy of Juneteenth. With that legacy comes a shared responsibility to carry on the unfinished work of building a democracy that truly ensures freedom and justice for all.
I am grateful to everyone who made this incredible event possible — my friend Stephanie Crayton and the rest of the Cambridge Juneteenth Committee; the Cambridge Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments; the performers and volunteers; and the vendors and nonprofits with tables at the park. I also appreciate the elected officials who attended, including Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Steve Owens, Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, School Committee Member David Weinstein, Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui, and Councillor Ayesha M. Wilson, who was also celebrating her son’s birthday (happy 3rd, Prime!).
It was great to see so many of you during office hours on Friday. Thank you to the Little Crêpe Café and Andala Coffee House for fueling our conversations. I look forward to more opportunities to meet and converse with you in the coming weeks.
Cambridge Updates
Hoops ‘N’ Health Moved to Rain Date, June 21
Hoops ‘N’ Health was rescheduled to its rain date, Saturday, June 21. It will take place at Hoyt Field in Cambridge (between Gilmore Street and Western Ave). The basketball tournament is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Family Health Fair is from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a free lunch as well as games and activities for the whole family. This includes kids' activities, live music, and community resources. For more information, contact Richard Harding at rharding@challiance.org.
Cambridge Arts River Festival Saturday
Join the Cambridge Arts River Festival along the banks of the Charles River on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m, with a parade beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Memorial Drive and JFK Street. There will be six stages of music, theater, dance and poetry along Memorial Drive, between JFK Street and Western Avenue, curated by Global Arts Live, Liars & Believers, Passim, Cambridge Jazz Foundation, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, The Dance Complex and the City Night Reading Series. Plus a mermaid Promenade; celebration of 250 years of milestones, innovations and firsts; interactive art-making; buskers; international foods; and an arts and crafts market. Admission is free and more information is available here.
250th Anniversary of the U.S Army Postponed to July 7
The City of Cambridge, in partnership with the Cambridge Veterans Services Office, invites residents of all ages to a community celebration honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States Army. The 250th Anniversary of the United States Army event at the Cambridge Common was postponed to Monday, July 7 at 1 p.m. This free, family-friendly event includes a bounce house, an obstacle course, food and live music, and will be held on the Cambridge Commons (1500 Mass. Ave, Cambridge).
R-Jay Jones Youth Scholarship Fund
The Cambridge Community Center (CCC) is launching the R-Jay Jones Youth Scholarship Fund to ensure that no child is turned away from our summer or after-school programs due to financial barriers. This fund honors the extraordinary legacy of Ronald “R-Jay” Jones, who has served the CCC for over 50 years. In previous years, your generosity helped fund field trips and enrichment experiences. This year, due to recent cuts in external funding beyond their control, they are shifting their focus to scholarships. Your support will help families continue to access the full range of services the CCC offers, including daily meals, social-emotional support, mentorship, physical activity, and a caring community. If you'd like to include a note to R-Jay with your gift, email it to info@cambridgecc.org with "R-Jay" in the subject line. They will make sure he receives it.
Recent Press
Before lawmakers, Vineyard woman pleas for epinephrine access
Sam Houghton, MV Times
A Vineyard woman whose husband died after being stung by a wasp during a golf charity event less than two years ago gave powerful testimony in front of state lawmakers this week, advocating for more widespread access to epinephrine — the medication that can counteract an allergic reaction.
Megan Brown testified in front of the Joint Committee on Public Health on Wednesday in Boston, asking lawmakers to swiftly support H.2500, an act relative to increasing access to the medication.
The bill, filers and supporters say, addresses gaps in accessibility by allowing schools, restaurants, summer camps, athletic venues and other entities to stock EpiPens and provide them with legal protections. According to [Rep. Thomas] Moakley’s office, the bill includes safeguards like mandatory training, liability protection for first responders, and reporting requirements to the Department of Public Health. There are no mandates on businesses or organizations requiring the use, but it simply allows them to be proactive.
Brown and Sullivan were thanked by committee members for speaking. “It matters to hear your story, and we really appreciate you being generous enough to share your pain with the Commonwealth,” Committee chair Marjorie C. Decker said.
Services and Resources
Cambridge Public Health Helpline Supports Residents with COVID-19
To speak with someone, call the confidential COVID-19 Hotline at 617-933-0797. Learn more here.
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
SafeSpot Overdose Prevention Helpline
SafeSpot is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at safe-spot.me or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
Alzheimer's Association Helpline
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit that provides support, research, and care for Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is available 24/7 for caregivers and patients. More information is available at alz.org, or by calling 800-272-3900.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. You can learn more about their services at denovo.org.
MassLegalHelp.org is a resource to help Massachusetts residents learn about their legal rights. The website does not offer legal advice or answer individual questions but has a page about options for finding a lawyer. It does provide resources for those facing legal issues, such as a landlord refusing to make repairs, appealing the denial of SNAP benefits, and questions about getting a CORI sealed.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
