State Representative Jeffrey Roy Announces Passing of House Budget FY 2027

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) secured key funding for Franklin and Medway when the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget this past week. Funded at $63.41billion, the House’s FY27 budget responds to the needs of residents, provides record support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among many critical investments, includes significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development.

“I’m pleased to have been able to deliver this local aid to the district that will improve the lives of my constituents,” said Representative Roy. “As times continue to be difficult for everyone, I’m thankful to Speaker Ron Mariano, Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House for passing this critical funding.”

House Budget FY 2027

“As a result of the Trump Administration’s sweeping federal funding cuts and reckless trade war, as well as two proposed ballot questions that seek to cut the Commonwealth’s revenues by more than $5 billion annually, this budget has come during a period of significant economic uncertainty. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of the investments that this budget makes despite those challenges, from funding for free school meals and for the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, to robust support for the MBTA, to nearly $10 billion for cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and the Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means for all their work this budget cycle, as well as all my colleagues in the House for working to ensure that this budget delivers for every community across Massachusetts.” 

Due to responsible fiscal management, the House’s FY27 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across several issue areas, without needing to include new taxes or tax increases. The House budget also strengthens the Stabilization Fund, which is set to reach $8.39 billion, reinforcing the state’s bond rating to keep borrowing costs down and save taxpayer money, while protecting the Commonwealth’s long-term fiscal health. 

Representative Roy’s local and statewide budget amendments include:

Franklin:

• $100,000 to the Franklin Performing Arts Company

• $100,000 to the SAFE Coalition

• $50,000 to the Franklin Food Pantry

• $25,000 to the Franklin Downtown Partnership

• $25,000 to the Franklin Creative Center for the Arts

Medway:

• $25,000 to the Medway Community Farm Agricultural Development Project

• $25,000 to the Medway Food Pantry

Statewide:

• $500,000 to the Genocide Education Trust Fund

The budget includes $10 billion in aid to cities and towns across the Commonwealth, a $477 million increase from the FY26 budget. This includes $2.7 billion for transportation and education initiatives supported through funding generated by the Fair Share ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022, that established a surtax of 4-percent on annual income over $1 million.

Highlights of statewide FY27 budget investments include:

• $1.33 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid

• $7.65 Billion in Chapter 70 education funding

• $470 million for the MBTA

• $623.6 million for childcare for low-income families

• $15 million for Early College

• $184.1 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services 

• $258.6 million for the Emergency Assistance Shelter System

Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means introduced their FY27 budget proposal on April 15, 2026, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of public hearings. 

The budget passed the House of Representatives 149-9 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

The full MA House of Representatives press release announcing this budget step can be found

https://malegislature.gov/PressRoom/Detail?pressReleaseId=1364

Massachusetts House Passes Fair Share Supplemental Budget

The Massachusetts House of Representatives today (3/18/26) passed a $1.8 billion supplemental budget that invests $885 million in public transportation and $417 million in public education, and funds several Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) deficiencies.

The bill includes several local investments secured through amendments by State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) for a total of $455,000 for funding in Franklin and Medway. 

The amendments consist of: 

• $250,000 for Medway Burke/Memorial School parking lot improvements to remove rear and side parking area surface and replace with new subsurface and top course to improve pedestrian safety and address increased stormwater MS4 drainage efficiency 

• $50,000 for the creation of a CTE Teacher Access & Equity fund to provide financial assistance to beginning vocational-technical instructors for fees associated with competency-based vocational-technical teacher training performance written examinations 

• $150,000 to redesign and modernize the Franklin Middle School library/STEM space into a student-centered Library and Innovation Commons to support interdisciplinary learning, collaboration, hands-on problem solving, and an accessible gathering place. 

• $5,000 for Smarter HEPA air filters for classrooms at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin

“These amendments address critical support needs for the schools in the district,” Rep. Roy said. “I was proud to join my colleagues in passing a supplemental budget that delivers meaningful investments in the priorities that matter most to our communities.”

The bill passed also includes the tax conformity legislation filed by Governor Healey that delays the state’s alignment with the corporate tax changes passed by Congress in the OB3 Act last year.

The bill delays conforming to the federal corporate tax changes that were passed by Congress in the OB3 Act last year, which will represent approximately a $400 million revenue loss for the Commonwealth when fully implemented. Under the bill, the Research and Experimental expense deduction will be delayed one year, the deductions for the Modification of Business Interest, Depreciable Asset Expensing, Qualified Production Properties will be delayed two years, and the Modification of Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments program will also be delayed two years. However, should the ballot question to lower the state income tax from 5 percent to 4 percent pass in November, which would result in a $5 billion revenue loss when fully implemented, the Commonwealth would permanently decouple from these tax credits, preventing them from going into effect.

The $1.8 billion bill is funded in part by $1.3 billion from excess Fair Share surtax funds to invest in public transportation and education. 

Highlights include: 

• $885 million towards transportation:

o $740 million towards the MBTA

 $525 million for the Deficiency Reserve

 $125 million for the Workforce & Safety Reserve

 $60 million for physical infrastructure with a focus on the core subway system

 $20 million for low-income reduced fares

 $10 million for water transportation infrastructure 

o Other transportation items include:

 $50 million for snow and ice costs

 $25 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) workforce development

 $30 million to fund the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit

 $30 million for MassDOT Service Investments

• $417 million towards education:

o $150 million towards Special Education Circuit Breaker costs

o $150 million to fund Early Education Child Care costs

o $38.7 million for the EEC income eligibility waitlist

 Includes $8 million for child care for providers and $7.5 million for the loan forgiveness program for providers

o $20 million for Green SchoolWorks program to help schools with clean energy upgrades

o $18.3 million for Financial Aid Supplements 

o $20 million endowment Match for UMass and other state colleges and universities 

o $5.1 million for Tomorrow’s Teachers Loan Forgiveness program

o $5 million for ESOL Services Waitlist

The bill also allocates $507 million from the General Fund:

• $300 million for the Group Insurance Commission (GIC)

• $54.4 million for sheriffs, representing half of the deficiency

o Requires reporting on the expenses of proposed usage of the funds 

• $41.6 million for DTA caseworkers

• $10 million for FIFA Boston for World Cup related expenses

The bill also includes the following outside sections: 

• Food Donation Tax Credit: Establishes a food donation tax credit for farm businesses based on the amount of food donated to a nonprofit food distribution organization. The credit is capped at $5,000 annually per individual.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit: Allows taxpayers to take a credit against the tax imposed on fuels used for aircraft propulsion and, subject to limitation, requires the amount of credit per gallon of sustainable fuel to increase by $0.015 for each additional 1 percent reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions above 50 percent. The credit is capped at $10 million total for all cumulative tax credits over a fiscal year.

• Ratifies eight Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)

The bill passed the House of Representatives 150-3 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

You can find the full text of the legislation at

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5264

Massachusetts House Passes Energy Affordability Bill

Bill to save utility ratepayers $9 billion over the next 10 years

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed (2/26/26) energy affordability legislation that would result in over $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next 10 years. The bill makes a one-time funding reduction to the Mass Save program, diverts environmental compliance payments from electricity suppliers back to residents, and positions Massachusetts to further diversify and modernize its energy grid. 

“This legislation is a step forward in tackling the continuously rising heating bills our constituents are facing with the frigid temperatures and record snowfall we’ve been seeing this winter,” said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “This bill focuses on long-term needs and the deployment of clean energy to build a more reliable grid while lowering costs for ratepayers. I want to thank House Speaker Mariano for his support of this bill and Chair Michlewitz and Chair Cusack for their work on this critical issue.”

In an effort to lower energy prices in the near term, despite volatile gas and electricity prices, the House bill: 

• Reduces the Mass Save budget by $1 billion for immediate ratepayer savings, prioritizing cuts to the plan’s marketing, advertising and administrative budgets. Mass Save is primarily funded by utility ratepayers through a mandatory charge on their gas and electric bills.

o The bill also tasks the Office of the Inspector General with a review of Mass Save to ensure that the program and its administrators are efficiently and effectively using ratepayer dollars. The report is due by July 1, 2027.

• Returns 70 percent of Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP), which are fees paid by energy suppliers for not meeting renewable energy standards, to customers until July 1, 2029.

o After July 1, 2029, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in consultation with MassCEC, mandates that 70 percent of ACP payments be returned to ratepayers in any year where money in the funds exceeds the predicted level by 2 percent and energy costs are a substantial burden to residents of the Commonwealth.

• Reduces net metering credit amounts, which are a significant surcharge on electric bills

• Requires distribution companies and gas companies to provide discounted rates for low-income customers and eligible moderate-income customers

• Requires that any standard residential default service rates cannot be changed more frequently than once every six months 

• Establishes an electric rates task force to advise and make recommendations on the current and future cost of electricity in the Commonwealth with a report due by September 30, 2027

The House bill also brings more energy onto the grid and protects the workforce during the transition to clean energy. The bill: 

• Expands the Commonwealth’s energy procurement authority by authorizing DOER to competitively solicit environmental attributes or energy services and negotiate and enter into long term contracts

• Requires DOER to establish a state-led offshore wind pre-development and project acceleration program to enable the Commonwealth to partner with offshore wind developers to further the Commonwealth’s goals. The bill also extends from June 30, 2027 to June 30, 2029 the deadline for cost-effective long-term contracts for offshore wind energy generation. 

• Allows DOER to develop a statewide energy storage incentive program to encourage the continued development of energy storage resources connected to the electric distribution system.

• Allows for smart solar permitting to get more projects online faster

• Removes barriers for nuclear energy by repealing chapter 503 of the acts of 1982, which established requirements for voter approval and legislative certification of any new nuclear power plant or any facility for the disposal or storage of low level radioactive waste in the Commonwealth.

• Allows for high voltage transmission lines on state highways

• Requires labor peace agreements for geothermal energy projects to help support and create jobs, adds prevailing wage requirements for work on thermal energy networks, and requires transition plans for gas workers during the transition to clean energy. 

The House bill also addresses predatory practices by certain suppliers, which impact consumers while certain utilities benefit through business practices that result in higher utility costs. The bill: 

• Creates a real-time, online, retail residential customer bill assessment dashboard with: explanations of customer bill components; and an analysis of the benefits of certain programs, procurements and investments.

• Adjusts the reporting requirements for electric and gas companies, transmission companies, distribution companies, suppliers and aggregators and suppliers of natural gas to require quarterly reporting. 

• Protects consumers by restricting predatory marketing practices by competitive electric suppliers by eliminating automatic renewals and variable rate contracts, by requiring more transparency for consumers, and by establishing new licensing requirements for door-to-door and telemarketing firms.

• Allows municipalities to opt out of competitive electric supply

• Requires utility audits and approvals for asset condition projects that are projected to cost more than $25 million

• Requires gas companies to implement default budget billing for residential customers

The bill passed the House of Representatives 128-27 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy Announces Passing of House Budget

Investments Made Supporting Franklin and Medway

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced key victories for Franklin, Medway, and the Commonwealth in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) House budget, a $61.47 billion spending plan focused on economic opportunity, education, housing, and transportation passed without new taxes. Representative Roy successfully advocated for targeted local investments and critical statewide initiatives through a series of budget amendments.

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy
Announces Passing of House Budget

"I was proud once again to deliver local aid to Franklin and Medway that will improve the lives of my constituents," said Representative Roy. "In these difficult times, I am grateful for the leadership of Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for making it all happen.

"The House's FY26 budget makes key investments that better support Massachusetts students and families, that increase access to affordable health care, and that provide for a safer and more reliable public transportation system - all without raising taxes. In a moment of incredible uncertainty at the federal level, our budget is proof that government can be both fiscally responsible and an agent of good, the kind of government that our residents deserve," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and the House Committee on Ways and Means for working diligently to craft a budget that delivers results for our constituents, as well as all my colleagues in the House for their valued input."

"This budget builds off the successes of the last few years by prioritizing our residents. Whether it is greater investments into programs like housing stability, public transportation, or early education these initiatives are a reflection of our shared values," said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). "By reinvesting in the people of the Commonwealth we will continue make our economy more competitive and equitable for years to come. I want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership during this budget process, as well as my Vice-Chairs Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Kipp Diggs, and the entire membership of the House for their thoughts and guidance over the last few months to make this a more successful and well-rounded budget."

Due to responsible fiscal management, the House's FY26 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across several issue areas, without needing to include new taxes or tax increases nor drawing from the Stabilization Fund, which is set to reach $8.36 billion.

Representative Roy's local and statewide budget wins include:

Local Investments in Franklin and Medway

• $100,000 for the Franklin Performing Arts Company to support arts and cultural programming.

• $50,000 for the Children's Museum of Franklin to expand educational opportunities for local families.

• $50,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry and $50,000 for the Medway Village Food Pantry to fight food insecurity.

• $25,000 for the Medway Community Farm to support local agriculture.

• $25,000 for the Franklin Downtown Partnership to promote economic development in the heart of Franklin.

• $100,000 for the SAFE Coalition to support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

Local Investments in Franklin and Medway

Statewide Initiatives Led by Roy

• $500,000 for the Genocide Education Trust Fund to support curriculum and teacher training on genocide awareness in middle and high schools.

These amendments complement major statewide investments in the FY26 House budget, including:

• $7.1 billion in Chapter 70 school aid, with minimum $150 per pupil increases.

• $1.3 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid to cities and towns.

 

• $450 million for the MBTA and $110 million for RTAs, alongside $40 million to launch the MBTA Academy.

• $94 million to make community college free and expanded financial aid and adult learner support.

• $275 million for Emergency Assistance shelters, and $258 million for rental vouchers to protect housing stability.

• $475 million for childcare provider grants and $15 million to reduce the waitlist for affordable child care.

Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means introduced their FY26 budget proposal on April 16, 2025, following a review of the Governor's proposal and a series of public hearings. The budget passed the House of Representatives 151-6 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The PDF press release from which this was copied can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFwWYNL8pPPCnuyq41thIXd7sfVaZpb4/view?usp=drive_link

State Representative Roy Promoted to House Leadership Position

After serving as House Chair of the prestigious Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy the last four years State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) has been promoted to Floor Division Chair of the 2nd Division. In addition, he was appointed to serve as a member on both the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.

The entire body of the House of Representatives, consisting of 158 total members, is divided into four separate divisions. To create a continuous flow of debate, Leader Roy will be responsible for reviewing the House's schedule and then providing advance notice to the members of his division about the important matters the House will be working on. He also will be the primary liaison between the representatives in his division and the House Speaker.

State Representative Roy
Promoted to House Leadership Position
(Photo courtest Rep Roy)

"I am appreciative to Speaker Mariano for his continuing trust in me and look forward to expanding my contributions as a Division Chair to the House of Representatives on a wide variety of challenging public policy issues facing the Commonwealth," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "I am very proud of my tenure as Chair of the House Energy and Telecommunications Committee, where my colleagues and I enacted three major climate and energy laws over the past two legislative sessions. I look forward to working closely with the Speaker and his leadership team in this upcoming legislative session."

"Rep. Roy has been instrumental in so much of the work that we have done over the past few years to bolster clean energy production in Massachusetts, consistently demonstrating his ability to tackle difficult issues," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I look forward to working with Jeff in his new advisory role as a member of my leadership team."

During his time as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE), Leader Roy distinguished himself as a leader in the energy and climate space. For the past two legislative sessions, he forged collaborative relationships with stakeholders and played a major role in the development and passage of game-changing climate legislation for the Commonwealth.

Upon first being appointed to the TUE Committee in 2021, Leader Roy dove headfirst into the world of energy policy, including writing a report, "The State of Offshore Wind in Massachusetts," in order to be as impactful as possible. He was first tasked with getting the 2021 "Roadmap" bill across the finish line - this historic piece of legislation created a strategic pathway to guide Massachusetts' energy transition by setting statewide and sector-specific emissions limits and sublimits, paving the way for long-term investment and development in clean energy and clean heat.

In his second legislative session as House Chair of TUE, Leader Roy was the House lead of the 2022 climate law, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind. This legislation further cemented Massachusetts as a climate leader by incentivizing the development of key clean energy industries and technologies - most notably offshore wind. It also set ambitious electric vehicle (EV) adoption targets and created a trust fund to support EV incentive programs.

And in the most recent legislative session, Leader Roy played a major role in shepherding through An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers. This law made landmark clean energy reforms, including streamlining the siting and permitting process for clean energy infrastructure projects and enshrining environmental justice principles into the Commonwealth's energy transition. It also set up large battery storage procurements to support increased renewable energy generation, supported the strategic buildout of EV charging infrastructure, and authorized the Department of Public Utilities to establish criteria for a moderate-income discount rate to provide relief to eligible ratepayers.

Rep Roy was also the lead author of the genocide education act in 2021, an act to prevent abuse and exploitation which include included teen sexting provisions in 2024 and act relative to step therapy and patient safety in 2022, an act relative to sexual violence on high education campuses in 2021, and an act to support improved financial stability and higher education in 2019.

Medway Democratic Town Committee has resource pages for November 2024 election

Among the key resources available to prepare to cast an informed ballot for the November 2024 election are the following:

State Representative Debate - this page includes the listing of question text asked of each of the candidates in addition to the video links for the Medway channel video as well as the Franklin TV video link -> 

https://medwaydemocrats.org/2024/10/11/2024-state-rep-debate/

Also of interest is their MA Ballot questions page ->   https://medwaydemocrats.org/2024/10/11/2024-ballot-questions/

which includes a forum for pros and cons of the five ballot questions ->    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQFtYwyZNKE

Home page for Medway Town Democratic Committee ->    https://medwaydemocrats.org/

Medway Democratic Town Committee has resource pages for November 2024 election

Lt. Gov Driscoll joins State Rep. Roy to Kick off 2024 Re-Election Campaign

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) kicked off his 2024 re-election campaign at La Cantina Winery in Franklin with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll as one of his featured speakers. She was joined by House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Town Councilor Robert Dellorco, SAFE Coalition CEO Jen Levine, and Campaign Chair Mike Doherty, who each offered remarks in support of Rep. Roy. Over 150 people attended the event, including 22 legislative colleagues who came from all parts of Massachusetts to support their colleague.

(L-R) Roy, Driscoll, Michlewitz

Roy is seeking re-election for a seventh term in the 10th Norfolk District which includes all of Franklin and precincts 2, 3 and 4 in Medway.

Roy currently serves as Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy and is the House’s lead negotiator on climate and energy legislation. He previously served as Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education and as Acting Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance. He also serves as House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes and encourages “Making It” in Massachusetts. The caucus will be hosting its annual manufacturing award ceremony at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, September 25.  

"I have enjoyed serving the residents of Franklin and Medway and would be honored to serve another term," noted Roy.  "We have made great progress in the areas of education, climate, economic development, health care and veterans affairs, and I want to build on that success. In addition, we have addressed the challenges of substance use disorder, the social equity, and criminal justice, and I look forward to continuing the work in these areas. I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from my friends and colleagues and have enjoyed the opportunity to be the voice of Franklin and Medway on Beacon Hill. If re-elected, I will continue to be a fierce advocate for our communities.”  

Re-Election Campaign Kick-off for 2024

In this recently released video (https://youtu.be/KwM1vJjcvjA), Rep. Roy makes the case for re-election and talks about what it takes to be an effective legislator. He also talks about his contributions to the community, legislation he has championed, and the role of an elected official in state government.

Roy is the father three children, all of whom were educated in the Franklin Public Schools. He is a 1986 cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1983, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Bates Student newspaper. He is also a 22-year rider in the annual Pan Mass Challenge event which raises money for the Jimmy Fund.

For more information on Roy and the campaign, please visit www.jeffreyroy.com

Massachusetts Legislature Enacts Comprehensive Midwifery And Maternal Health Bill

Thursday (August 15, 2024), the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a comprehensive midwifery and maternal health bill that creates a state licensure pathway for certified professional midwives and lactation consultants, encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, establishes a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder, and expands the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program. This legislation also mandates that insurers cover post-pregnancy mental health screenings and pediatric well visit appointments once per calendar year up to age six. 

“I am so immensely proud that the midwives and maternal health bill is on Governor Healey’s desk,” said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), lead Senate sponsor of the midwives and pediatric appointment bills.  “In addition to joining the 38 other states that already license certified professional midwives, this single legislative package squarely addresses our maternal health crisis, honors patient choice in maternal care, improves patient outcomes, reduces inequities in maternal health care, lowers health care costs, enhances access to pediatric care, boosts post-pregnancy mental health care, and much more. With this reproductive justice bill, we significantly uplift people deciding for themselves whether, when, and how to parent. I cannot wait for our Governor to sign it into law.” 

A central pillar of the legislative package is licensure for certified professional midwives, or CPMs, a bill Rausch has filed and championed in the Massachusetts Senate. The Senate previously passed the midwifery licensure bill by unanimous vote in 2020, in Rausch’s first term. The bill creates the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license and provide oversight of licensed CPMs, enhancing their professional self governance, practice autonomy, and authority to use important and life-saving medication. The bill also ensures equitable reimbursement of certified nurse-midwives by requiring that they receive payment rates equal to those for the same services performed by a physician under MassHealth. 

In an effort to proactively address mental health needs, the legislation requires MassHealth and commercial insurance coverage for post-pregnancy depression screenings for all post-pregnancy patients, without regard to how a pregnancy may have ended. The legislation also requires screenings to be offered at maternal and other adult care appointments, rather than exclusively at pediatric appointments, thereby reaching all post-pregnancy cases, including miscarriage. The inclusion of all post-pregnancy cases reflects a bill filed by Rausch earlier this term. Further, the DPH will develop and maintain a comprehensive digital resource center on post-pregnancy mental health conditions and services and conduct a pregnancy loss awareness program. 

Two other priorities championed by Rausch are encompassed in the legislation: a provision to improve patient safety by requiring the administration of ultrasound services be supervised by a licensed healthcare professional who provides medical care for pregnant individuals; and a provision to improve access to pediatric care that ensures coverage for wellness visits for young children once per calendar year, rather than once every 12 months, so families can stay on schedule with their children’s birthdays even if a doctor’s appointment has to be postponed or rescheduled. 

“Today the legislature took much needed action to strengthen access to physical and mental health care for pregnant people and new parents in Massachusetts,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This is an important step to help ensure all expecting individuals regardless of background or economic status have access to the health services they need. I offer my sincere gratitude to Senator Friedman for her leadership of the committee, each conferee, and our partners in the House for their hard work on this legislation.” 

“Today we made important strides to reduce maternal health disparities by breaking down barriers to safe, adequate and equitable maternal health care,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and of the conference committee. “This bill takes significant steps to expand coverage and protections for essential health services that are key to improving maternal and perinatal health outcomes, as well as increasing access to care for those whose needs and pain have often been ignored. While we still have work to do to cover and protect the full spectrum of pregnancy care, this legislation addresses some of the most pressing needs and improves the health care system statewide.” 

To encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers, which operate independent from hospital systems, the bill requires DPH to promulgate updated regulations governing the licensure of freestanding birth centers to ensure safe, equitable, and accessible birth options. 

“It is with immense gratitude that we get to revel in this moment of progress, celebrating the Senate’s monumental commitment to improving the quality of life, maternal and mental health care for our most at-risk constituents. With the birth justice bill on its way to Governor Healey’s desk, we are taking a crucial step forward in tackling the Black maternal health crisis by expanding prenatal, postpartum, mental health, midwifery, and doula care, while enabling the growth of free-standing birth centers across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston). “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the 28-member, Special Legislative Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health for their vital recommendations, as well as the coalition of advocates who have committed unwavering support to seeing this bill through to the end. Together, we are advancing perinatal care and ensuring better health outcomes for individuals and families throughout our Commonwealth. I am proud to share this moment with you all and look forward to a brighter, more equitable future for all.” 

The legislation also requires that MassHealth cover noninvasive prenatal screenings to detect whether a pregnancy is at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities for all pregnant patients regardless of age, baseline risk, or family history. The bill requires health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk and products derived from it, serving as a critical source of nutrition for the growth and development of babies, particularly for vulnerable premature infants. To better support new mothers in their feeding journeys, the bill also authorizes the Board of Allied Health Professionals to license lactation consultants to ensure their services are eligible for reimbursement through the patient’s insurance.  

The legislation passed yesterday provides critical support for birthing people and their families during the postpartum period, including requiring DPH to conduct a public awareness campaign about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and to develop and maintain a digital resource center that will be available to the public. It also requires that perinatal individuals be offered a screening for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, and that those services be covered by health insurance plans. To better address barriers in access to care and reduce racial inequities in maternal health, the bill expands the universal postpartum home visiting program administered by DPH and provides coverage for the program’s services.  

“Massachusetts has some of the best health outcomes in the country, but we have a glaring and persistent disparity in maternal health outcomes, especially when it comes to the experience of Black mothers,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Public Health. “The maternal health bill passed by the Legislature will expand access to care for all mothers and ameliorate the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis here in Massachusetts. I am proud to stand behind so many brilliant women colleagues in advancing this vital legislation.”  

Additionally, the bill requires DPH to develop and disseminate public information about pregnancy loss to the public and perinatal health care workers to prioritize the physical and mental health care of patients affected. It also requires DPH to establish a program to conduct fetal and infant mortality reviews (FIMR) to identify social, economic, and systems level factors associated with fetal and infant deaths and inform public health policy programs. The bill also includes a provision that will allow Massachusetts residents to use earned paid sick time in the event of a pregnancy loss. 

The bill ensures that the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee will have access to essential records required to conduct thorough and timely reviews of maternal deaths and pregnancy complications. This will enable the Committee to formulate comprehensive recommendations to improving maternal outcomes and prevent mortality. The bill also establishes a grant program under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services aimed at addressing maternal mental health. This program will support the establishment or expansion of initiatives serving perinatal individuals, particularly those in underserved populations, to improve mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder. 

The bill establishes a nine-member task force to study the current availability of, and access to, maternal health services and care, as well as essential service closures of inpatient maternity units and acute-level birthing centers. The task force will identify methods of increasing financial investment in, and patient access to, maternal health care in the Commonwealth. 

Having passed both chambers, the bill now sits before the Governor for her consideration.  

Massachusetts Legislature Enacts Comprehensive Midwifery And Maternal Health Bill

State Rep Jeff Roy provides update on MA House climate legislation

State Representative Jeff Roy writes:

"The House passed legislation accelerating a responsible, innovative and equitable clean energy transition. The legislation overhauls outdated siting, permitting, and interconnection processes to empower the Commonwealth to deploy clean energy projects and infrastructure to meet its net-zero goals and create better outcomes for communities, clean energy companies, and utilities. 

It further harnesses innovative technologies to power our green transition such as advanced metering, fusion energy, battery storage, grid-enhancing technologies and the buildout of fast-charging infrastructure and meter socket adapters to support wide scale adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps. 

This involves generating and procuring more clean power, solving interconnection issues, and incentivizing consumers and businesses to adopt green technologies. 

You can read more about the legislation at   https://jeffreyroy.com/2024/07/23/house-passes-critical-energy-reforms-to-meet-2050-net-zero-climate-goals/"

State Rep Jeff Roy provides update on MA House climate legislation

Representative Roy: "Massachusetts House Passes Landmark Veterans Legislation"

Rep. Roy was honored to join his colleagues in passing legislation that honors veterans in Massachusetts by broadening the definition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefits that they are eligible for, and modernizing the services that they rely on. “An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans (HERO Act),” will impact hundreds of thousands of veterans living in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts has the most generous veterans benefits in the nation,” said Rep. Roy. “And, as a matter of fact, I am not in the Franklin chamber tonight because I just left the House floor where we voted unanimously on a bill to further expand veterans benefits here. “Today’s bill combines spending, policy and tax initiatives aimed at expanding access by veterans to health care, increasing financial benefits to former servicemembers, and ensuring that women, disabled and LGBTQ+ veterans have equal access to supports. I am honored to support the expansion of benefits to those who gave greatly to support freedom and democracy and to make sure our veterans and their families have access to the benefits, resources and support they deserve.”

Read Rep Roy's full article -> https://jeffreyroy.com/2024/05/23/4767/?

Full text of the HERO Act legislation -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4671

Representative Roy: "Massachusetts House Passes Landmark Veterans Legislation"

State Rep Roy on the MA House Budget passing (video)

Via our State Representative Jeff Roy: 

"The House concluded budget deliberations on the FY25 budget last night (4/26/24).

I was proud to deliver local aid to Franklin and Medway that will assist the Franklin Food Pantry, the Medway Village Food Pantry, the Franklin Performing Arts Company, the SAFE Coalition, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, and the Medway Community Farm. I was also happy to file an amendment that added $500,000 to the Genocide Education Trust Fund.  

In the video below, I highlight all of the environmental and energy provisions in the budget. It was an amazing budget in challenging times and I am grateful for the leadership of Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for making it all happen. "

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6V8k8Lwldk

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/cmhfxQEtQer1Q3fx/

Episode 42 starts with eclipse highlights and legislative seminar before discussing headlines (audio)

FM #1176 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1176 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Public Radio studio on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.  

We continued making sense of climate on an almost extemporaneous discussion similar to what we recently had. Starting with highlights from Ted’s experience of the eclipse, and with my highlights from the Citizen Legislative Seminar where I spent 2 days in State House.

• NY Attorney General sues meat producer https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/29/new-york-jbs-climate-lawsuit

• Meat a contributor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/us-banks-sabotaging-own-net-zero-plans-by-livestock-financing-report-claims 

• 80/20 rule strikes again https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/04/just-57-companies-linked-to-80-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-since-2016 

• How to spot five of the fossil fuel industry’s biggest disinformation tactics https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/14/climate-disinformation-explainer?CMP=share_btn_url 

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 43 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.

Audio link ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1176-making-sense-of-climate-42-04-16-24

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** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Episode 42 starts with eclipse highlights and legislative seminar before discussing headlines (audio)