Governor Baker Signs Executive Order to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care Services

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Friday signed an executive order protecting Massachusetts abortion providers from prosecution by other states that have made providing an abortion a criminal act.

The order prohibits executive agencies from assisting another state’s investigation into anyone receiving or providing an abortion. It also bars abortion providers from losing their license or being disciplined based on an out-of-state charge. And it bars the state from cooperating with extradition requests from states pursuing criminal charges against people involved with providing reproductive health services that are legal in Massachusetts."

Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/uncategorized/baker-signs-abortion-executive-order/

Direct link to Executive Order -> https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-executive-order-to-protect-access-to-reproductive-health-care-services

Governor Baker Signs Executive Order

Reopening Update: State to Lift Most COVID Restrictions May 29

Face covering order to be rescinded, replaced with CDC guidance

Reopening Update: State to Lift Most COVID Restrictions May 29th, Face Covering Order to be Rescinded & Replaced with CDC Guidance Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that business and capacity restrictions will be lifted effective May 29th. The Commonwealth's face covering order will be also be rescinded on May 29th, and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance. Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers. Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th. Business Restrictions Lifted Effective May 29th, all industries will be permitted to open. With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted. Capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded. All industries are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene protocols. Face Covering Guidance The Administration will rescind the current face covering order and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29th. The new advisory will be consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance. Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. The new advisory will recommend fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations. Face coverings will still be required for all individuals in the following settings: On public and private transportation (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations) In healthcare facilities/ healthcare providers In congregate care settings, including health and rehabilitative day services. Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers Youth and Amateur Sports Face Covering Guidance: Effective May 18th, the youth and amateur sports guidance will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes ages 18 and under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29th, all youth and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted. Click here for complete Youth Sports guidance. K-12, Early Education and Summer Camp Guidance: Effective May 18th, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care will be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and to allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and childcare settings. This guidance will remain in effect beyond May 29th. Click here for DESE Guidance Click here for EEC Guidance The Administration will release updated guidance for summer camps, effective May 29th, which will include no longer requiring masks for outdoor activities. State of Emergency Order Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th, and the Administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period in order to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency. Complete reopening information can be found online at Mass.gov/Reopening. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you: Jason Palitsch, Executive Director (774) 760-0495 x105 Jason@495Partnership.org Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership | 200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 1003, Westborough, MA 01581 Sent by jason@495partnership.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker suggests he may lift emergency COVID order August 1"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER suggested for the first time Monday that he may lift the COVID-19 state of emergency at the same time as he allows businesses to fully reopen, which is now scheduled for August 1. 

Baker said his administration is still figuring out various issues around the emergency order, which has allowed him to put in place a wide range of state guidelines governing everything from gathering sizes to business closures. But, Baker said, “It’s our view that by the time we get to August 1 … that would certainly be a time at which we’d go to some sort of standard that would be a traditional public health standard, not something that would operate under the rubric of an [emergency order].” 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-suggests-he-may-lift-emergency-covid-order-august-1/

 

Press Conf direct link -> https://youtu.be/ORBEJhkVPjM

In the News: Gov Baker issues executive order on child care and activates 1,000 National Guard

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Friday that gives working parents more child care options for children engaged in remote learning when school resumes this fall. 

The order allows the Department of Early Education and Care to authorize currently licensed after-school and out-of-school programs to operate during the school day. Current law prohibits such programs for school-aged children from offering care during regular school hours. 

It will allow YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, family child care homes and other facilities to care for school-age children who are learning remotely. 

The state will also exempt informal remote learning parent cooperative arrangements organized by families, if the groups are supervised by unpaid parents."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200829/state-expands-child-care-options-for-start-of-school-year?rssfeed=true

Related article from the Boston Globe

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/28/metro/state-allow-remote-learning-pods-kids-programs-outside-schools/

"One thousand members of the Massachusetts National Guard were activated to state active duty on Friday by Gov. Charlie Baker.

In a statement, a spokesperson said only that the National Guard members were being activated, “in the event that municipal leaders require their assistance.”

While no specific reason was cited for the activation, Baker’s decision comes on the heels of protests and deadly violence in Wisconsin following the shooting of Jacob Blake."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200829/gov-baker-activates-1000-national-guard-members?rssfeed=true

Commonwealth Magazine: state guidelines “confusing and disappointing”

 From CommonWealth Magazine we share articles of interest for Franklin:

"UNDER NEW STATE GUIDELINES issued Tuesday night, Somerville should be preparing to bring students back to school in person next month. It isn’t.

Somerville, a dense urban area outside of Boston, is ranked as “green,” or low-risk, on a new state map measuring COVID-19 rates. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says green communities should have full-time in-person learning, or at least a hybrid model if there are extenuating circumstances. 

Somerville already decided to start with fully remote learning, and Mayor Joe Curtatone called the new guidelines “confusing and disappointing.” “To look at a color-coded map and say that should be a bright line as to whether to bring back students, staff, teachers to school really disregards all the other variables we must analyze…when we make these decisions,” Curtatone said."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/not-every-school-district-is-buying-bakers-guidance/

"Baker said Trump’s proposal is credible, but it takes money that states are already counting on to cover their COVID-19 costs and uses those funds to pay for the enhanced unemployment insurance benefit.

“That FEMA money, as far as most states are concerned, is what’s there for us to apply to be reimbursed for the costs we incurred in March, April, and May during the original emergency,” Baker said.

The same goes for using CARES Act funds to pay for the state’s share of the enhanced unemployment insurance benefit, Baker said. The governor said the CARES Act funding in most cases has already been designated for other needs. “It’s using most of a pot of money that’s already designated for a very particular purpose,” he said.

Baker said he would prefer that Congress step up and pass a comprehensive stimulus plan. “It’s really important that there be a fourth [stimulus] package,” he said."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-opposes-trumps-stimulus-alternative/

Baker-Polito Administration Issues New Travel Order Effective August 1st

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

"Massachusetts will impose new restrictions on travelers from most of the United States next week, threatening fines of $500 per day for those who do not quarantine or prove they tested negative for COVID-19, the Baker administration announced Friday. 

Under Gov. Charlie Baker’s new executive order, anyone entering Massachusetts will need to fill out a form summarizing their travel, then either self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival or submit negative test results for the highly infectious virus no more than 72 hours old. 

The new policy that takes effect Aug. 1 is an escalation of a travel advisory that has been in place for months, adding enforcement mechanisms as new infections continue to surge in states outside the northeast. Individuals who do not follow the mandatory quarantine order could be fined $500 per day, according to a press release from Baker’s office. 

Travel from states considered low-risk -- defined as having a daily case rate of less than six people per 100,000 and a positive test rate below 5 percent -- will be exempt from the quarantine or test policies. As of Friday, eight states are on that list: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200724/baker-orders-fines-for-travelers-who-dont-quarantine/1?rssfeed=true

Link to text of the Press Release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-issues-new-travel-order-effective-august-1st

Link to the new MA Traveler page https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
To go direct to the new travel form https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form

YouTube link for Press Conference = https://youtu.be/o1bWAauaWoU

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:

"As concerns mount about a potential wave of evictions this fall, Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday extended the state’s ban on evictions and foreclosures into mid-October, citing the ongoing health and economic crisis set off by the pandemic. 

The ban, which was set to expire Aug. 18, will remain in effect until Oct. 17, buying time for tenants as the state slowly starts to recover economically from the impact of COVID-19-related shutdowns. The measure blocks nearly all eviction cases from being filed in the state’s housing courts. 

“The extension I am declaring today will provide residents of the Commonwealth with continued housing security as businesses cautiously re-open, more people return to work, and we collectively move toward a new normal,” Baker wrote to the Legislature."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/21/metro/gov-baker-extends-eviction-moratorium-until-oct-17/

Link to Press Release  https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-extends-moratorium-on-evictions-and-foreclosures-to-october-17

PDF of the extension letter  https://www.mass.gov/doc/foreclosures-and-evictions-moratorium-extension-july-21-2020/download

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17

"those who care about keeping state government accountable will have their day in court"

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

"Business owners from Hubbardston, Lexington, Burlington, and Marlborough, the pastors of churches in Westfield and Medford, and Ben Haskell, headmaster of Trinity Christian Academy in Hyannis, have sued Gov. Charlie Baker.

They are challenging his authority to declare a COVID-19 state of emergency and to issue the emergency orders that have shaped life in Massachusetts for the last four months.

The state’s highest court will hear arguments in September.

Justice Barbara Lenk, sitting as part of a single-justice session, ordered a lawsuit brought by the New Civil Liberties Alliance to be transferred to the Supreme Judicial Court for arguments in September. The suit revolves around whether a governor can use the powers afforded under the Civil Defense Act to declare an emergency around public health."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200714/supreme-judicial-court-justice-will-hear-lawsuit-brought-by-business-owners-pastors-and-school-headmaster-against-bakers-coronavirus-restrictions

The MA.gov COVID-19 page can be found online https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information#daily-updates-

Franklin Police Statement in Response to President's Order on Police Reform

On Tuesday June 16. President Trump signed an Executive Order dealing with Law Enforcement reforms. There were many parts of this order, but we wanted to highlight an area where the Franklin Police Department is already involved.

His order reads in part:

Sec. 4. Mental Health, Homelessness, and Addiction. (a) Since the mid-twentieth century, America has witnessed a reduction in targeted mental health treatment. Ineffective policies have left more individuals with mental health needs on our Nation's streets, which has expanded the responsibilities of law enforcement officers. As a society, we must take steps to safely and humanely care for those who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse in a manner that addresses such individuals' needs and the needs of their communities. It is the policy of the United States to promote the use of appropriate social services as the primary response to individuals who suffer from impaired mental health, homelessness, and addiction, recognizing that, because law enforcement officers often encounter such individuals suffering from these conditions in the course of their duties, all officers should be properly trained for such encounters.

(b) The Attorney General shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services as appropriate, identify and develop opportunities to train law enforcement officers with respect to encounters with individuals suffering from impaired mental health, homelessness, and addiction; to increase the capacity of social workers working directly with law enforcement agencies; and to provide guidance regarding the development and implementation of co-responder programs, which involve social workers or other mental health professionals working alongside law enforcement officers so that they arrive and address situations together. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prioritize resources, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to support such opportunities.

(c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall survey community-support models addressing mental health, homelessness, and addiction. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall summarize the results of this survey in a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, which shall include specific recommendations regarding how appropriated funds can be reallocated to support widespread adoption of successful models and recommendations for additional funding, if needed.

(d) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, prioritize resources, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to implement community-support models as recommended in the report described in subsection (c) of this section.
---------------------------

The Franklin Police Department is already actively engaged in this process on many levels. For mental health calls for service and follow up we already have in place our Jail Diversion Program (https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/jail-diversion-program). Our clinician responds with officers to calls where citizens may be involved in a mental health crisis. The work done there helps determine if the person in crisis is best served by remaining in the community, or needs immediate treatment and transport to the hospital. 

There are advantages to every diversion that happens. First, there is the cost. Not transporting and finding community based support is much less expensive than an emergency room visit. Secondly, and most importantly, having our clinician available results in better outcomes for patients. Our clinician is also skilled in deescalation, and connecting with people in crisis to come to a mutually agreeable plan forward. Each time this happens, it lessens the need for officers to become involved, or end up having to use some degree of force to compel the person for treatment.

Our clinical also works with Franklin Police Detectives' to follow up on drug overdose cases through the Norfolk County Outreach program. This program tracks individuals who have overdosed in Franklin, or another community, but live here. With the clinician and Detective, Franklin has been able to achieve over an 80% contact rate, the highest in the county, to offer these individuals treatment services.

The Jail Diversion Program is extensive, and one of the greatest programs we have added in recent years. It is also very notable that this program is free to the Town of Franklin, and the Town of Medway, who we share our clinician with. This is the result of a grant written by both agencies which is funded by the Department of Mental Health. A full report is available online on our Jail Diversion Page (https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/jail-diversion-program).

The Franklin Police take seriously the needs of our citizens. In addition to the JDP program we are also part of the IACP One Mind Campaign (https://www.theiacp.org/projects/one-mind-campaign). Participation in this program required the Franklin Police to train every officer in Mental Health First Aid (https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/training-courses/mental-health-first-aid/), and 20% of our officers in Crisis Intervention Training (https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Crisis-Intervention/Crisis-Intervention-Team-(CIT)-Programs). We have successfully completed this program. 

 

Franklin Police Statement in Response to President's Order on Police Reform

Gov Baker's executive order has extended Franklin's BoH facial covering mandate

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order on Friday requiring members of the public to wear a face covering while in public when people cannot physical distance from others.

The order goes into place on Wednesday, May 6 and does not apply to children under the age of 2.

The requirement applies to all workers and customers of businesses and other organizations that are open to the public.

Gov. Baker said face coverings are an easy, critically important and essential step to stop or slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“The public is required to wear a face covering at all times in grocery stores, retail stores or on public transportation,” Baker said."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200501/baker-signs-order-requiring-face-coverings-while-in-public

If you were watching the live update on Friday, you'll recall that the feed was lost during the broadcast.  There apparently is no video replay available at this time. The archive of prior updates for replay can be found 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfzuvKpMoFEDd597ZSHxMmvkzR3XCgVSg


The Press Release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-orders-use-of-mask-or-face-covering-in-public-announces-increased

The Tweet
https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1256291755865104384

The Executive Order
https://www.mass.gov/doc/may-1-2020-masks-and-face-coverings/download

Today we are requiring all residents to wear a mask in public places when it is not possible to maintain proper social distance.

This applies to workers and customers of essential businesses like groceries and pharmacies.#COVID19MA

🔗Full Details: https://t.co/MHAD2lF5PV pic.twitter.com/bhW27HG0mx

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) May 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1256291755865104384/photo/1

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board

Today (Apr 28, 2020), the Baker-Polito Administration extended the essential services emergency order to May 18th and launched a Reopening Advisory Board that will produce a plan to the Governor by May 18th. The Administration also announced that the Department of Public Health’s Stay At Home Advisory remains in effect and gatherings of 10 or more people remain prohibited until May 18th.

Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 18th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18th.

Stay at Home Advisory: Governor Charlie Baker announced that the Department of Public Health’s stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. 

Executive Branch Employee Guidance: The Baker-Polito Administration today also extended the guidance issued to Executive Branch employees on protocol during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure state government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the Executive Branch workforce. Under the guidance, all employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely should continue to do so until May 18th.

Reopening Advisory Board: Today, Governor Baker announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board, which will be Co-Chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. The Board brings public health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18th that will include DPH approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders. This report is due on the 18th, but the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.

The 17-member Advisory Board is composed of three public health officials, including Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, three municipal officials, and eleven leaders from the business community, including MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. Members of the Advisory Board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing and transportation.

Reopening Advisory Board Members:

• Aron Ain, CEO, Kronos Inc & Ultimate Software
• Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Corey Thomas, CEO, Rapid 7
• Daniel Rivera, Mayor, City of Lawrence
• Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Girish Navani, CEO and Co-Founder, eClinicalWorks
• Joe Bahena, Senior Vice President, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing
• Kathryn Burton, Chief of Staff, City of Boston
• Laurie Leshin, Ph.D., President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Linda Markham, President, Cape Air
• Mark Keroack, President & CEO, Baystate Health
• Dr. Monica Bharel, M.D., Commissioner, Department of Public Health
• Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton
• Pamela Everhart, Head of Regional Public Affairs and Community Relations, Fidelity Investments
• Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary and CEO
• Steve DiFillippo, CEO, Davios Restaurants
• Wendy Hudson, Owner, Nantucket Book Partners

Shared from the MA.gov page
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-extends-non-essential-business-closures-to-may-18th-announces

screengrab of broadcast on announcement

In the News: A week of orders from Gov. Baker

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

"Since Gov. Charlie Baker declared a coronavirus state of emergency on March 10, the executive branch has been busy spelling out in orders, advisories and guidance documents exactly what should and what should not happen as the state deals with the pandemic.

Some of the governor’s order and directives have widespread and sweeping consequences - the closure of all non-essential businesses and an urging to stay at home as much as possible - while others are more narrow and are meant to address fairly specific issues, like pharmacy operations.

But during the state of emergency, the orders handed down by the governor function essentially as temporary laws and the steady rollout of new executive actions sheds some light on the various fronts on which state government and public health officials are fighting the new coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200329/week-of-orders-from-gov-baker

The listing of press releases on the Executive Orders released can be found online
https://www.mass.gov/lists/press-releases-related-to-covid-19

In the News: A week of orders from Gov. Baker