Boston Globe: AG Campbell co-sponsors bill to ban cell phone use in Mass. public schools

"Attorney General Andrea Campbell is joining the growing nationwide push to crack down on students' cell phone use during school hours.

Campbell spoke before the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Thursday about her efforts to shield children from the harmful effects of social media, one week after she, along with several state lawmakers, filed legislation that aims to impose a “bell-to-bell” ban on personal cell phone use at all Massachusetts public schools during class time. Called the “STUDY Act,” it also would require social media companies to implement additional health and safety policies.

ban cell phone use in Mass. public schools

“By restricting cellphones during the school day and raising the bar for social media companies, we are taking bold steps to create learning environments free from distraction and a digital landscape that prioritizes the well-being of our youth,“ Campbell said in a statement last week. ”This bill is a commitment to both education and mental health for our young people, ensuring they have the tools to succeed without unnecessary harm.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/23/metro/cell-phone-ban-mass-schools/ 

State Representative Jeff Roy rolls out 2024 endorsements

United States Senator Ed Markey has endorsed Jeffrey Roy in his State Representative race in the 10th Norfolk District (Franklin and Medway). 

“I am proud to endorse Rep. Jeff Roy for re-election as the State Representative for Franklin and Medway. He has been a partner and champion on climate and energy issues, spearheading efforts to pass landmark climate and energy bills, as well as legislation to address substance use disorder, economic development, and civil rights. And he has consistently delivered critical local aid to Franklin and Medway. I look forward to continuing to partner with him."

United States Senator Ed Markey has endorsed Jeffrey Roy

In addition to Markey, Roy has been endorsed by Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Speaker of the House Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Massachusetts & Northern New England Laborers’ District Council, Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund, Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers & Scientists, Massachusetts Nurses Association, and 1999SEIU. He has also been endorsed by Franklin Town Council Chair Thomas Mercer; Franklin Town Council Vice-Chair Robert Dellorco; and Franklin Town Council Clerk Glenn Jones.

Governor Healey shared the following: 

“Representative Roy has been a highly effective and skilled legislator for more than a decade, advancing important laws addressing education, economic development, healthcare, criminal justice, and civil rights. In his role as Chairman of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee, Jeff spearheaded efforts to pass landmark climate and energy legislation to legislation strengthening protections for survivors of abuse and exploitation. His district and the Commonwealth will benefit from his continued leadership at the State House."

Attorney General Campbell noted that Jeff 

“has been a partner in the work, including protecting our environment and addressing climate change. With significant local and state government experience, he is passionate about getting things done and having an impact on all of his constituents, including his seniors, students, and those often forgotten.”

In its endorsement, the Mass State Police Commissioned Officers Association President William “Duke” Donaghue remarked that MSP COA 

“deeply appreciates your past support for law enforcement and your commitment to public safety in the Commonwealth. Your proven leadership and dedication aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure the safety of our communities and the well-being of our members.”

Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch stated: 

“The Massachusetts AFL-CIO Executive Council has officially voted to endorse your re-election. On behalf of nearly half a million members across the Commonwealth, we are proud to support candidates like you who have demonstrated a commitment to the values and principles of the Labor Movement, and create an economy that works for working people.”

"I am absolutely thrilled to receive the support and endorsement from all of these groups and individuals," noted Roy. "In my years in the Massachusetts House I have built strong and lasting relationships and have partnered with them to make Massachusetts and our communities great places to live, work, and raise a family. With their continued support, I am confident we can continue to deliver results for Massachusetts."

You can view the complete list of endorsements and testimonials at https://jeffreyroy.com/testimonials/.

Since 2013 Jeff has been part of a legislative team that has addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, civil rights and social equity, gun safety, climate change, energy, and the environment. In addition, he led efforts to:

• Draft and pass the bill accelerating a responsible, innovative and equitable clean energy transition in 2024;

• Draft and pass an act to prevent abuse and exploitation in 2024;

• Draft and pass the clean energy and offshore wind bill in 2022;

• Finalize the Roadmap Bill on climate change in 2021;

• Draft and pass the Genocide Education Act in 2021;

• Draft and pass legislation on Step Therapy and Patient Safety in 2022;

• Draft and pass legislation relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses in 2021;

• Draft and pass legislation increasing transparency and financial reporting requirements for higher education institutions in 2019;

• Draft and pass legislation that increased transparency and civic engagement by creating a searchable online database of legal notices in 2015;

• Pass legislation lowering thresholds on specialty license plates, making them available to smaller charities and causes in 2015; and

• Pass legislation to create a Regional Dispatch Center for Franklin, Norfolk, Wrentham, and Plainville in 2013.

He has also led efforts to bring millions of dollars in local aid for schools, roads, infrastructure, public safety, arts, recreation, substance use disorder, economic development, historical preservation, and food insecurity. He has also helped thousands of constituents with issues involving unemployment, health care, human services, and other matters with state agencies.

Roy is seeking re-election as the State Representative for the 10th Norfolk District (Franklin & Medway). He is the Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy and previously served as Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance. 

He is also the Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus, which promotes and encourages “Making It” in Massachusetts. Previously, he served as a member of the Franklin Town Council, and the Franklin School Committee where he held the position of Chair for 9 of his 10 years. He also chaired Franklin's Master Plan Committee from 2012 to 2013.

For more information on Jeffrey Roy, please visit http://jeffreyroy.com/

Franklin Police recognized by State for Investigation Assistance in Prescription Fraud And Illegal Distribution Scheme

"Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s Office has indicted an individual for impersonating physicians to illegally obtain prescription drugs and then selling those drugs for profit as part of an elaborate drug diversion scheme. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division, Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and Franklin Police Department.

Pascal Girault Jr., also known as Pascal Schnaider Jr. Girault, age 21, of Stoughton, was indicted on Monday, September 11, 2023, by the Statewide Grand Jury in Suffolk Superior Court on 10 counts, including possession with intent to distribute a Class E substance, identity fraud, Medicaid false claims and uttering false prescriptions.

The AG’s Office alleges that between September 2021 and May 2022, Girault routinely called pharmacies within Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex County with stolen physician identifications and posed as a physician or a member of the physician's staff to obtain prescriptions for promethazine and promethazine with codeine, which he then sold on the street for profit. The AG’s Office alleges that Girault falsified over two dozen prescriptions, 11 of which were paid for by Medicaid, and in some cases, also obtained azithromycin, an antibiotic commonly known as “Z-Pak”, in an apparent attempt to make his false promethazine prescriptions appear more legitimate."

Shared from Franklin Police -> 

https://www.facebook.com/100064353536794/posts/pfbid0R4bgAg3dQXdV4UyCaDPy15reJF7HR4V9YufQcY8SGdYYmQ75RDPgsz2vK5Xx3g52l/

State press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/individual-indicted-for-prescription-fraud-and-illegal-distribution-scheme

Franklin Police recognized by State for Investigation Assistance in Prescription Fraud And Illegal Distribution Scheme 

Governor Healey signs "temporary provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2025"

Open Meeting Law: Guidance Update – March 30, 2023

On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed into law a supplemental budget bill which, among other things, extends the temporary provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2025. Specifically, this further extension allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public body physically present at a meeting location, and to provide "adequate, alternative" access to remote meetings. The language does not make any substantive changes to the Open Meeting Law other than extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meetings from March 31, 2023 to March 31, 2025.

Shared from the Attorney General's page https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law

Governor Healey signs "temporary provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2025"

MA Attorney General asks DPU to dismiss request for 'renewable' natural gas

Via Priya (https://twitter.com/priyainmass) who is a clean energy attorney @CLF  Massachusetts, we share the following Twitter thread:

"Good news: @MassAGO has asked the Department of Public Utilities to dismiss Liberty Gas’ request for approval to receive so-called “renewable” natural gas (aka biomethane, yet another dangerous, polluting fuel) for the next 20 years. A thread: 1/6 #MAPoli

Right now, the DPU is considering what the role of gas companies will be in our clean energy future, which requires utility companies to present plans for their energy supply. (Spoiler: an ideal plan doesn’t include any climate-damaging, polluting fuels: just clean energy). 2/6

 

Much to no one’s surprise, utility companies presented plans that were fancy pretenses for business as usual. Liberty Gas was one of these companies, and like others, its plan relied heavily on using biomethane in its fuel mix. 3/6

 

According to @MassAGO, the DPU can’t approve Liberty’s request while it’s still investigating the “future of gas” And, by requesting DPU’s approval WHILE the investigation is happening, Liberty is trying to bypass thorough review of biomethane’s impacts. 4/6

 

We agree with the AG. Reality check: Biomethane used for home heating still pollutes our climate while clogging and dirtying our air. This isn’t a climate solution, this is a cover for maintaining the status quo. 5/6

 

Now, we wait to see what the DPU will do. Utility companies’ claims, especially regarding biomethane, are highly doubtful. And it won’t help MA reach our climate goals – which, at this point, is a matter of our lives. Stay tuned for what the department decides. 6/6"

The thread can be found in the ThreadReader App

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1542140059436064768.html

or at the start of the Twitter thread -> https://twitter.com/priyainmass/status/1542140059436064768

More Perfect Union: 046 - MA Attorney General Candidates (With Quentin Palfrey and Shannon Liss-Riordan) (audio)

"In this episode, the group is joined by two of the candidates running for the position of Massachusetts Attorney General; Quentin Palfrey and Shannon Liss-Riordan. The two discuss their backgrounds in government and law, the issues facing the Mass Attorney General's office currently, what they'd aim to achieve if elected and so much more. "

Audio link ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/046-ma-attorney-general-with-quentin-palfrey-and-shannon-liss-riordan

More Perfect Union:  046 - MA Attorney General Candidates

 

Franklin School Committee statement in regards to OPML complaint

 

https://www.mass.gov/advisory/state-ethics-commission-advisory-11-1-public-employee-political-activity

Based on the foregoing, there has been no violation of any law as alleged by your Complaint and the Committee does not intend to take further action in response to your requests. In accordance with the Open Meeting Law, a copy of your complaint and this response are being sent to the Attorney General's Office. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Denise Spencer, Chair 

Franklin School Committee

 

cc:     Franklin School Committee

Office of the Attorney General, Division of Open Government

Franklin School Committee statement in regards to OPML complaint

Recap: Board of Health conducts regular business, listens to resident comments on masking

Quick recap:

• Board of Health conducted their normal business approving minutes of prior meeting, hearing updates from nurse, epidemiologist and inspector. 
• Winter St demolition approvals in process, other abandoned housing being addressed in coordinated manner with attorney general
• problem with ordering at home test kits, not as easy as it was lead to be, no date yet for availability
• multiple residents commented against a mask policy in light of the request at the prior meeting for the Board to consider one.

Agenda for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_02022022_1.pdf

Board of Health meetings are generally scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month at 5 PM

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting

• Real time reporting for the Board of Health meeting underway, #boh0202  Winter St update provided, prior meeting minutes approved (twice, once 2-0; then 3-0; 3rd member arrived)
• Some audio items on the Zoom bridge worked through to be able to hear folks in the room clearly #boh0202
• Update from inspections, update from nurse, clinics being worked, COVID is still prevalent #boh0202
• Epidemiologist provides updates, working on reporting and tracking, new webpage/dashboard being put together, #boh0202
• At home rest kits ordered from lowest priced vendor, couldn't get ship dates; order cancelled, new being set, no date yet for availability, #boh0202 not as easy as it sounded.
• Property on Union St being worked collaboratively, police, fire, health, building, Attny General office coordinated - working on abandoned housing initiatives and making progress #boh0202
• Open to citizen comment, M Benson speaking to mask mandate discussion from last time to raise several issues, #boh0202 mask mandate would instill a sense of fear, not necessary
• Another citizen, (didn't catch name) anti mask comments, #boh0202 "respect the choice people have" define an exit strategy. D Videra, backing up M and Kevin, also anti mask, tremendous mental health issues, start tracking those in addition toCOVID-19
• Another citizen, (name missed) complaining that the school committee which is also supposed to be apolitical has members that just endorsed Senator Rausch so that doesn't work and is contradictory with other statements being made #boh0202
• No hands raised for other remote comments, #boh0202 Board comments, thanks for the citizen comments, good engagement, good commitment, folks need to stay safe and healthy motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0 via roll call

 

Audio recording to be available in a couple  of days

Board of Health conducts regular business, listens to resident comments on masking

Open Meeting Law Guidance Spotlight: Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications

From the MA Attorney General's Office on Open Meeting Law Guidance:

Guidance Spotlight: Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications

This month we offer guidance on the creation of subcommittees under the Open Meeting Law, and permissible communications among members that constitute less than a quorum of a public body.  We recognize that public body members want to conduct business efficiently and effectively.  However, public body members must exercise caution when communicating and carrying out the public body’s responsibilities outside of a properly posted meeting.  The Open Meeting Law prohibits deliberation outside of a posted meeting. “Deliberation” is communication among a quorum on a matter within the public body’s jurisdiction.  Because the Open Meeting Law focuses on communications among a quorum, there is no prohibition on communications outside of a meeting that do not involve or reach a quorum of members—as long as the members are not also a quorum of a subcommittee.  Therefore, it is important to understand whether members of a public body may constitute a designated subcommittee.

The Open Meeting Law defines “public body” as any “multiple-member board, commission, committee or subcommittee within the executive or legislative branch or within any county, district, city, region or town, however created, elected, appointed or otherwise constituted, established to serve a public purpose.”  G.L. c. 30A, § 18.  The Law further defines a “subcommittee” as “any multiple-member body created to advise or make recommendations to a public body.”  Id.  A public body forms a subcommittee when the body formally authorizes multiple members of the public body to advise or make recommendations to the public body.  Whether a subcommittee was created hinges on the public body’s action and whether it intended to create a multiple-member body, or whether it intended to assign the task to one person, even if another member of the public body subsequently volunteers to assist. Therefore, if a single member undertakes a task, or multiple members decide on their own to communicate about a matter or prepare a recommendation without having been designated to do so, no subcommittee is created. Furthermore, the name of a group—whether called a subcommittee, a “working group,” a “task force” or something else—will still be subject to the Open Meeting Law if it is a multiple-member body created to advise or make recommendations.  Even subcommittees that have members who are not part of the public body will be subject to the Open Meeting Law if they meet the Open Meeting Law’s definition of “public body.”

Subcommittees are public bodies in their own right, which means they must follow all of the Open Meeting Law’s requirements applicable to public bodies.  Subcommittee members should be particularly careful about any communications they have with their fellow subcommittee members in order to avoid deliberating outside of a posted meeting, as the subcommittee has its own (smaller) quorum.  The quorum of a public body, including a subcommittee, is a simple majority of its members, unless otherwise provide by law.  Therefore, although it is generally permissible for public body members to communicate amongst themselves outside of a posted meeting as long as the communications do not involve or reach a quorum (whether concurrently or serially), public body members must always be cognizant of the makeup and quorum of the public body, including any subcommittees on which they serve.

Determinations Regarding Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications:

OML 2021-176: Finding no violation of the Open Meeting Law because text message conversations did not contain or reach a quorum of the Board.  In all cases, the Board members engaged in one-on-one text exchanges during the meeting.  In addition, we find no evidence of serial deliberation among a quorum of the Board.

OML 2021-115: Subcommittee deliberated outside of a posted meeting, in violation of the Open Meeting Law, when a quorum of the Subcommittee discussed the status of a matter that was clearly within the Subcommittee's jurisdiction outside of a posted meeting.

OML 2018-128: Board did not create a subcommittee where the Board took no vote after one member offered to research a topic and another member of the public body subsequently volunteered to assist.

OML 2017-111: Board did not create a subcommittee where the Board clearly intended to assign a task to one person and another member of the public body subsequently volunteered to assist.

OML 2016-96: Working Group did not create a subcommittee where two members of the Working Group, on their own initiative, worked on projects for the benefit of the Working Group, without the Working Group taking any official action to delegate that responsibility to the two members. 

For more info on Open Meeting Law visit ->  https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law

Open Meeting Law Guidance Spotlight: Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications

Frequently Asked Questions - how to deal with rising heating and utility costs

The MA Attorney General's Office has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions page on how to deal with rising heating and utility costs this winter.

"Many residents are struggling to pay their bills, including their monthly utility bills. Electricity and Gas are essential services—that’s why it is important that customers know their rights and where they can go for help if they need it."

Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-electric-and-gas-utilities-during-covid-19

• English version PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QqpZ0o9fkNhv3WBLVJ2jq-KJZYmaqvG/view?usp=sharing
• Spanish version PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TQgZmfwrFKlTpi-8APKeA7sFLunvUge/view?usp=sharing

Frequently Asked Questions - how to deal with rising heating and utility costs

Tip of the hat to Tyngsborough for the info links ->

https://twitter.com/TyngsboroughMA/status/1456248576418500608

MA Open Meeting Law: items of interest on public participation and SEPAC meetings

What about public comment, public participation, and public hearings?

"The Open Meeting Law does not require that public bodies allow public comment or public participation during meetings -- to the contrary, the Open Meeting Law specifies that nobody shall address the public body without permission of the chair. However, the Attorney General encourages public bodies to allow public comment and/or public participation when feasible.    

Because the Open Meeting Law does not require that public bodies allow for public comment or public participation during meetings at all, the manner that public bodies may choose to accept comment or questions is outside the scope of the Open Meeting Law.  

Public hearings, on the other hand, are governed by separate laws that impose additional requirements, and may require opportunity for public comment or testimony.  Those requirements are outside the scope of the Open Meeting Law and therefore do not fall within the Division of Open Government’s jurisdiction.  Public bodies and members of the public should consult with legal counsel for guidance on the requirements for public hearings. "

MA Open Meeting Law Updated Guidance
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/updated-guidance-on-holding-meetings-pursuant-to-the-act-extending-certain-covid-19-measures 

Are Special Education Parent Advisory Council (“SEPAC”) groups public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Law?

"While a SEPAC itself is generally not a public body subject to the Open Meeting

Law, the leadership group may be a public body subject to the Open Meeting

Law. Massachusetts law requires that membership in a school’s SEPAC be

offered to all parents of children with disabilities and other interested parties. See

G.L. c. 71B, § 3. In many cases, the SEPAC establishes or elects a leadership or

governing committee. That group of elected or appointed officers will likely

constitute a public body under the Open Meeting Law, and it is therefore

advisable that such groups comply with the Open Meeting Law’s requirements. 

Now that the issue has been formally presented to this office, and after review and analysis of the applicable statutes and regulations pertaining to the establishment of SEPACs as well as the structure and function of SEPACs, we conclude that the Brockton, Brookline, and Melrose SEPACs are not public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Law. We also conclude that whether a SEPAC’s leadership group is a public body depends on the structure and role of that group.  We find that the officers of the Melrose and Brockton SEPACs do not constitute public bodies;

and that the Board of the Brookline SEPAC is a public body for limited purposes."

Document link ->  https://massago.onbaseonline.com/Massago/1700PublicAccess2/PublicAccessProvider.ashx?action=ViewDocument&overlay=Print&overrideFormat=PDF 

Learn about the Open Meeting Law or report a violation with the Attorney General's Division of Open Government.    https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law

Learn about the MA Open Meeting Law or report a violation with the Attorney General's Division of Open Government

CommonWealth Magazine "Legalization of happy hours, fireworks among approved ballot questions" for 2022

"ATTORNEY GENERAL Maura Healey’s office allowed 17 proposed laws and constitutional amendments dealing with a wide variety of public policy issues to keep moving toward the ballot on Wednesday.

Assuming sponsors can gather 80,239 signatures, Massachusetts voters will be asked in 2022 to decide whether fireworks and turbocharged happy hours should be legalized. They will decide whether retailers should be able to hold more liquor licenses, whether much higher rebates on zero emission vehicles should be offered, and whether to prohibit taxes, fees, and other measures “that would reduce or restrict the supply” of motor fuels – a question filed by Republican Rep. David DeCoste of Norwell that appears to be targeted at blocking Gov. Charlie Baker’s transportation climate initiative."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/legalization-of-happy-hours-fireworks-among-approved-ballot-questions/ 

The Attorney General's page has the complete list of ballot initiatives as proposed for 2022

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ballot-initiatives-filed-for-the-2022-biennial-statewide-election-proposed-laws-and-2024-biennial-statewide-election-proposed-constitutional-amendments

CommonWealth Magazine "Legalization of happy hours, fireworks among approved ballot questions" for 2022

MA Attorney General: Update on the Open Meeting Law

Guidance from the Division of Open Government

View this email in your browser   Update from the Division of Open Government On June 16, 2021, Governor Baker signed into law An Act Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency.  This Act includes an extension, until April 1, 2022, of the remote meeting provisions of his March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. The new law has two major parts.   First, the new law allows public bodies to continue providing live "adequate, alternative means" of public access to the deliberations of the public body, instead of holding meetings in a public place that is open and physically accessible to the public. "Adequate, alternative means" may include, without limitation, providing public access through telephone, internet, or satellite enabled audio or video conferencing or any other technology that enables the public to clearly follow the proceedings of the public body in real time.   Second, the new law authorizes all members of a public body to continue participating in meetings remotely; the Open Meeting Law's requirement that a quorum of the body and the chair be physically present at the meeting location remains suspended.   The new law provides that a municipal public body that, for reasons of economic hardship and despite best efforts, is unable to provide alternative means of public access that will enable the public to follow the proceedings in real time, may instead post a full and complete transcript, recording, or other comprehensive record on its website as soon as practicable after the meeting.  In light of the various free and low-cost technologies that could be used to provide the public with real time access, the Division of Open Government strongly recommends that a municipal public body consult with our office before determining that it is unable to provide the public with real time access to a meeting. Furthermore, this provision is not available for meetings when another general or special law, regulation or a local ordinance or by-law requires allowance for active participation by members of the public, such as in the case of certain public hearings.   All other provisions of the Open Meeting Law and regulations, such as the requirements regarding posting notice of meetings and creating and maintaining accurate meeting minutes, remain in effect. Public bodies are reminded that notice of all meetings must be posted at least 48 hours in advance, not including weekends and holidays, and the meeting notice must clearly specify how the public may access the meeting, whether in-person, remote or both.   NOTE: Due to a typographical error in the final draft of the legislation, three paragraphs in Section 20(b) were compressed into one paragraph. Based on the legislative history of the new law and the Legislature's clearly-demonstrated intent, the Attorney General interprets the sentence "This paragraph shall not apply to proceedings that are conducted pursuant to a general or special law, regulation or a local ordinance or by-law that requires allowance for active participation by members of the public" as only applying to the economic hardship exception in the prior sentence, not to the entire paragraph of subsection (b).   In partnership, The Attorney General's Division of Open Government Copyright © 2021 Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Massachusetts Attorney General's Office Division of Open Government 1 Ashburton Place, 20th Floor Boston, MA 02108

So the COVID-19 emergency order expired, what do we do for public meetings in the interim?

"The State of Emergency has ended, and the March 12, 2020, Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, which has allowed public bodies to meet remotely and to provide the public with “adequate alternative access” to meetings, terminated at 12:01 this morning. 

The Legislature is actively considering bills that would extend most or all of the provisions from the Executive Order regarding remote meetings. Unless and until such legislation is enacted, public bodies must hold meetings with at least a quorum of the public body members physically present at a meeting location which is open and accessible to the public. 

The Attorney General encourages public bodies to also provide the public with an option to view meetings remotely. Public bodies are reminded that notice of all meetings must be posted at least 48 hours in advance, not including weekends and holidays, and the meeting notice must clearly specify the location where the public may access the meeting."

For more on the open meeting law and updates:  https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law

open meeting law and updates

"The current state of unpredictability has would-be candidates already feeling out plans"

A blockbuster showdown for governor. A wide-open race to be the state’s top prosecutor. A primary between a secretary of state on the verge of history and a fellow Democrat trying to unseat him.

As summer unofficially dawns, each scenario is possible as Massachusetts’s 2022 state election cycle quietly hums to life. It’s greased by uncertainty, and fueling the potential for a gamut of history-making races and possibly, widespread change at the top of state government.

The prospects depend heavily on the decisions of the six statewide constitutional officers. Five, including Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Secretary of State William F. Galvin, have not said whether they’ll run again, and many in office remain undecided on whether to seek reelection, according to advisers and the officeholder themselves.

Continue reading the article online (Subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/31/metro/changing-guard-massachusettss-2022-election-cycle-could-be-primed-history-turnover/

In the News: "Two officials charged in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home COVID outbreak"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin: 

"Two of the top officials at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, where 76 veterans died of COVID-19 during an outbreak in early spring, have been criminally charged with neglect and causing serious bodily injury in a case that may be the first of its kind in the country.

“They risked their lives, from the beaches of Normandy to, some, the jungles of Vietnam,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, in a press conference Friday morning. “To know that they died under the most horrific circumstances is truly shocking.”

Superintendent Bennett Walsh and former Medical Director David Clinton face 10 felony counts each, five counts related to criminal neglect and five counts related to causing serious bodily harm. They face up to three years in prison for each criminal neglect count and 10 years in prison for each count tied to serious bodily injury."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200925/two-officials-charged-in-holyoke-soldiers-home-covid-outbreak?rssfeed=true

Related articles on this story:

Commonwealth Magazine: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/two-at-holyoke-soldiers-home-face-criminal-charges/

WBUR: https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/09/25/maura-healey-criminal-charges-holyoke-soldiers-home-bennett-walsh-clinton

Attorney General Maura Healey answers questions about her lawsuit that challenges a Trump administration policy that would kick international students out of the country for taking online-only courses at their universities. (Photo by Sarah Betancourt)

“This pandemic ... is precisely the kind of civil defense emergency"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"With the Supreme Judicial Court expected to hear arguments in a little over a week over a lawsuit challenging Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 executive orders, Attorney General Maura Healey has filed a lengthy defense of the governor and the legality of his actions to control the coronavirus. 

Baker has been sued by a group of business owners, religious leaders and others over the numerous executive orders he has issued since declaring a public emergency on March 10 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders have included everything from forced business and school closures to size limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings. 

The plaintiffs claim that Baker overstepped his legal authority, but Healey argued in a briefing filed with the SJC that Baker acted well within the scope of the Civil Defense Act to protect the public from the coronavirus. 

“The CDA gives the Governor extensive authority to protect the Commonwealth during a civil defense emergency,” Healey wrote. “The Act defines ‘civil defense’ broadly, and responding to the current pandemic falls within its scope because COVID-19 is a ‘natural cause’ that threatens the public health and welfare of the Commonwealth’s residents.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200831/ag-maura-healey-defends-gov-bakers-covid-19-restrictions-she-says-they--are-within-scope-of-civil-defense-act-while-marlborough-business-owner-objects?rssfeed=true

Civil Defense Act https://www.mass.gov/lists/emergency-preparedness-laws-and-regulations
or directly to the doc with this link https://www.mass.gov/doc/chapter-639-of-the-acts-of-1950-civil-defense-act-mema-law/download

Related article on the AG filing in support of Gov Baker

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/commonwealth-magazine-healey-argues.html