[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5979847,"mediaKeyId","5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23","parentId",5808744,"title","Senate expands abuse-registry protections to MassHealth day habilitation programs","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",1700000,"endMs",1895000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23&start=1700&end=1895","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23/thumbnail_1700000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979847/Massachusetts/Senate-expands-abuse-registry-protections-to-MassHealth-day-habilitation-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979847-28fd23f0f2e5650de736dbba35838edf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141136&Signature=b811xebWooc7CrPDrGleYaTkrtcmPNi17o1pLJ8wxTXJXW69V1X5~V35APJ-bzzcP7kQD57mVKaDMZ5dOhDTQH~TDEoDpoVFzXRD4o12poXbGp1nO9nDzKc2Zje7v1hqIyUvzadh3nP3R0lHYuCrBgr4em6ZltAWZb~BuBMeSF2VN8-mN2vh-hsxgyj1zunVledpXM444JfKFDQukYsV7XWlBWZewI78uUuFDrxlg-6fJrhdby7wVrszyDg7J5z71uQjR3HabL~EJQrekxM2VvW4pOmnoyTgPPrqaBgiPAGbkCb7xLJ8lITQk6jxrZP2ciszDzAnETaj7urt2QPicw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed S.165, an act \"protecting individuals with disabilities in day habilitation programs,\" extending elements of Nikki’s Law to certain MassHealth-funded day habilitation providers.

Senator Brendan P. Moore (D-) — who introduced the measure on the floor — said Nikki’s Law, enacted in 2020 after the abuse of a young man named Nicky Chan, established an abuse registry for care providers found guilty of abuse. \"Nikki's law was originally signed into law during the hundred and 190 first session...The 2020 Nikki law Nikki's Law established a registry of care providers found guilty of abuse,\" Moore said on the floor.

Moore and supporters said the original statute did not apply to MassHealth day habilitation programs or certain PCA (personal care attendant) supervision arrangements. He described MassHealth day habilitation as services that \"provide structured goal oriented services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to acquire, retain and improve skills in daily living, communication, socialization and self help,\" and said those programs are taxpayer-funded and therefore should be required to screen for and avoid hiring people listed on the abuse registry.

Moore said that within the first three years after Nikki's Law was enacted, 119 care providers were placed on the registry and that currently there were about 161 individuals listed on the DPPC (Disabled Persons Protection Commission) abuse registry. He argued the bill fills a gap that could otherwise allow providers previously found to have abused clients to obtain employment in MassHealth-funded day programs, potentially putting vulnerable people at risk.

Supporters thanked family advocates and organizations that pushed for the change, including Mara Sullivan of The Arc of Massachusetts, and family members who testified on behalf of victims.

The Senate passed the bill to be engrossed.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change will expand protections for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive day habilitation services funded by MassHealth by requiring providers to consult the abuse registry.

What happens next: The measure was passed to be engrossed and will be transmitted to the governor for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Session of September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators passed S.165 to extend the state’s abuse registry requirements (Nikki’s Law) to certain MassHealth-funded day habilitation providers, supporters said, narrowing a gap that left some vulnerable adults unprotected.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979852,"Senate legalizes sale and distribution of fentanyl test strips to prevent overdoses",0,4533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23&start=4533&end=4533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23/thumbnail_4533000.jpg","/articles/5979852/Massachusetts/Senate-legalizes-sale-and-distribution-of-fentanyl-test-strips-to-prevent-overdoses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979852-273b7a02e7efd5e3b6dd85db7ab62fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141136&Signature=bDdJSnY~gDMoWsROlRaOmjfAN0aL02xs5LELLO~Kk5S9PJNexr6gIIseDdPoHkuatORDNEc4aTrtf9bFUaThFAGjwSuSwqxJQkJW4ioK3iBSAi2OjEqXebUGgIwr~81F5RjDeOD6FcFajuCgGlTi-P~qciPW9TC1JjWrE4TWKH8Gs6kQFIXngFCgqTvIQLArof3LCAphJ9aTG-ZD9iKFk0QLrBfe7~0f6emvfAtFKZOwzGjRIl6-Z6ShLJsGolsk5l1z88qSxzhlXHJit2egY27IwNu~Jns2pp5hKAmY8JEn7ajjr8vUZBxUnrmQyTbvNpnalOF5V5qkSN1dS1PbVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed S.1057, an act \"further regulating fentanyl test strips,\" legalizing the sale and distribution of strips and related testing equipment used solely to identify fentanyl.

Senator Joan B. Crane spoke in favor of the bill, citing Massachusetts Department of Public Health figures that showed 1,763 opioid-related deaths in the Commonwealth between July 2023 and June 2024 and that fentanyl was present in nearly 90–92% of fatal overdoses. \"The bill before us today provides our commonwealth in our communities with one more tool to prevent overdoses, fentanyl test strips,\" Crane said on the Senate floor.

Crane and other supporters said the current classification of fentanyl test strips as prohibited drug paraphernalia has prevented retail sale and broad distribution by public-health entities such as colleges, police departments, bars, or nightclubs. The bill removes those barriers and includes provisions addressing professional discipline and criminal liability through a Good Samaritan clause to protect people who use and distribute the strips.

Supporters pointed to research that shows drug users reduce risky behavior when they have test-strip information — for example, discarding substances, reducing dose, using more slowly, using with someone present, or having naloxone nearby. The bill's sponsors also noted the low per-unit cost of strips (roughly $1 each) and that many other states already permit sale and distribution.

The Senate passed the bill to be engrossed by voice vote.

Why it matters: Sponsors said broader access to test strips is a low-cost public-health tool that could reduce overdoses and save lives by allowing people to detect fentanyl in drug samples and take precautions.

What happens next: The bill was passed to be engrossed and will be transmitted to the governor for consideration.","The Senate passed S.1057 to legalize the sale and wider distribution of fentanyl test strips and protect distributors and users through Good Samaritan provisions, with sponsors citing overdose statistics and public health evidence.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979857,"Senate amends law to make rental cars cheaper by shifting primary liability to insured drivers",995,471000,1466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23&start=471&end=1466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23/thumbnail_471000.jpg","/articles/5979857/Massachusetts/Senate-amends-law-to-make-rental-cars-cheaper-by-shifting-primary-liability-to-insured-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979857-fca6f76682e4710081a8382c47e18de3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141136&Signature=EeC3EDsomiaj48XLL0xzFqnMNnzbInOUMBUiVvtb6n0Hk-P0eL2uh9vKHgtqTy5OaDqnWSd5DODMZoZaOMzm8EClVbhJWvjQYKQaV4VM-OD1Om-1SBszdixIMGj~SmhQrOuHJPQIziv1-fzsTwEjskokVPApK0AVlMLzRl1w4a3faE~7PqOiI3OlOIg1073k6H-JmEJr~zPU7HSUqMzdxHC47RAtPpWDclnJu2-Ly9LgKjl-y3QzNFxGhOVPrQGE7iOZrLiNBqEdUeLjTPZ2HGuGHSwYEKMj7HHriOLOnrITSuuKqHZ4enOpwIHs9wjnL-TMFzuRAIO7Xsa2WpuBfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday approved S.2603, titled \"An act relative to affordable car rentals,\" moving the state toward the insurance practice used in most other states that makes a renter's personal auto insurance primary for damage they cause while driving a rental vehicle.

Senator Julian Cyr (D-Cape and Islands) urged colleagues to support the bill and framed it as a consumer-cost measure. \"This legislation brings us in line with the majority of states by saying that if you're insured and you cause an accident in a car you rented, you should be responsible for the damages,\" Cyr said, adding that Massachusetts and South Carolina are the only states (along with the District of Columbia) that require rental companies to provide primary financial responsibility.

Cyr told the chamber that rental prices in Massachusetts had risen by about 15 to 20% since June, citing federal tariffs on imported vehicles and a state insurance requirement that he said adds cost to rental rates. He said the bill would remove a duplication of coverage for insured drivers and help lower rental prices for families and visitors — an issue he said matters to the Cape and Islands' tourism economy.

Senator Michael J. Rodricks offered and the chamber adopted an amendment that revised sections 1A and 1B of the bill before senators voted to pass the measure. The clerk ordered a roll-call vote after a request for the yeas and nays; the chair announced that 39 members voted in the affirmative and none in the negative during the recorded vote to pass the bill to be engrossed.

Why it matters: Supporters described S.2603 as a straightforward consumer-relief measure that would align Massachusetts with the insurance treatment used nationwide and reduce duplication of coverage costs baked into rental rates.

What happens next: The bill was passed to be engrossed and will be sent to the governor for his or her consideration under the Legislature's regular enactment process.

Attribution note: Quotations and factual attributions in this article are drawn from remarks by Senator Julian Cyr and procedural statements recorded on the Senate floor.","Senators adopted an amendment and passed S.2603 to let insured renters use their own auto coverage as primary financial responsibility, a change supporters said will reduce rental rates in Massachusetts, an outlier state on the issue.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5979862,"Senate approves $234 million supplemental to shore up hospitals, community health centers",2384,2240000,4624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23&start=2240&end=4624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808744-ab74bcad945f36669c7d5e8335eb6e23/thumbnail_2240000.jpg","/articles/5979862/Massachusetts/Senate-approves-234-million-supplemental-to-shore-up-hospitals-community-health-centers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979862-83fe0a97599277c9004b426048f96864/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141136&Signature=nFWHv82H4ZpYnpkrfQAnoK44DnTSJmjySqb3EzDDB0sX~xwa80f1OWkjrrn9i2pGKziCT0Ju~KVLVuUxQN2yMZ3ba0uAl7JJI5MpBBC9A9A4ns0ZRFW9JEWD5uxWzPnf0B57mnFX3hg2RC1L1kLvoWNlxfQ~R6m5p9-5TUQ0EPs2wUoW2Z~uXc1LDOSjbVghang3zDGYtEbLZghRF6uq~GTdnAJ2qH69e73qO8A~e7jWMeTxJ7hMdIzXiV~fyGb3NG~Tpms87~LTmyzbHLq1KZ92ySKS0m27ngbanQwEV1zI85G9lpw1KEDwIMOY80WfTlzJSCyksCiLcPwomnxUjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday approved H.4530, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriation that provides $234 million to address shortfalls at acute care hospitals and community health centers across the Commonwealth.

Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the plan provides an infusion of money aimed at stabilizing the Health Safety Net and maximizing federal reimbursements. \"The plan...provides an infusion of $234,000,000 to strengthen hospitals and support community health centers,\" Rodrigues said during floor debate.

The bill allocates $199 million for acute care hospitals and $35 million for community health centers, the sponsor said. Rodrigues told senators the gross cost is $234 million and that the Commonwealth expects about $93 million to be returned as federal financial participation, making the net state cost roughly $140 million. He said much of the FY25 surplus used to fund the bill came from excess capital gains and the millionaire's surtax realized in the FY25 closeout.

Senators pressing for context said the funding was time sensitive because many hospitals have fiscal year-ends on Sept. 30 and are at risk of breaching bond covenants without immediate cash. Senator Tarr asked about current-year revenue collections and benchmarks; Rodrigues said early FY26 collections were roughly $175 million above the same period in FY25 (about 3% growth) but cautioned that September collections — a major tax month — will be determinative.

Senator Cindy F. Friedman, chair of the Health Care Finance Committee, emphasized that the money is intended to make hospitals whole for care already provided and to prevent near-term insolvency. \"The hospitals have spent this money. The hospitals have given this care,\" Friedman said, adding that rising unit and pharmaceutical costs, underinsurance and unemployment have all driven increased demand on the safety net.

Other senators who spoke urged that the supplemental be coupled with longer-term strategies to control health cost inflation and align reimbursement rates. Several described the supplemental as an urgent, one-time remedy to a structural funding shortfall.

The Senate passed the measure and ordered it to be engrossed; it was later enacted by the Legislature and will be laid before the governor for approval.

Why it matters: The bill aims to shore up cash flow at hospitals and community health centers that treat the state's most vulnerable patients. Sponsors and supporters said the infusion buys time and preserves access while they continue to press for cost-containment and reimbursement reforms.

What happens next: The supplemental was passed by the Legislature and, following standard procedure, will be sent to the governor for signature. Lawmakers who raised questions during debate said they expect continued committee work on systemic cost drivers and federal reimbursement timing.","The Massachusetts Senate passed H.4530, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental that directs $234 million to stabilize hospitals and community health centers, with sponsors saying federal reimbursement should offset part of the state’s net cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate expands abuse-registry protections to MassHealth day habilitation programs

Senate legalizes sale and distribution of fentanyl test strips to prevent overdoses

Senate amends law to make rental cars cheaper by shifting primary liability to insured drivers

Senate approves $234 million supplemental to shore up hospitals, community health centers