Senate orders numerous bills to third reading, adopts sick‑leave bank emergency preamble and honors Cheryl A. Frazier

The Senate convened and advanced a series of local and state measures, adopting an emergency preamble that accompanies House No. 5116 — an act establishing a sick‑leave bank for Daniel McKim, an employee of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office — and ordering numerous other bills to third reading or to be engrossed.

Chamber leaders moved quickly through a long list of items on the calendar. The Committee on Rules and the Committee on Ways and Means presented multiple reports and committee amendments, the Senate suspended its rules in several cases to consider matters forthwith, adopted committee amendments, and ordered the amended bills to third reading. The Senate also concurred in a governor's amendment on a House bill and sent the measure back to the House for reenactment.

On the sick‑leave matter, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted; the clerk will forward the enrolled bill to the governor for her consideration, as recorded by the presiding officer during floor proceedings. Several other measures affecting municipalities and state programs were read for the third time and passed to be engrossed, including bills on student mental health (House No. 1999), municipal licensing and notice procedures, local charter amendments, and changes tied to public‑safety and licensing rules.

Senator Timothy delivered memorial remarks in the chamber for Cheryl A. Frazier of Randolph, saying she "passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Sept. 25, 2024, at the age of 79" and recounting her more than 32 years of service with Boston Emergency Medical Services, her work on the Randolph School Committee, and her community involvement. The Senate observed a moment of silence and agreed that the day's adjournment would be in her memory.

Procedurally, the Senate adopted an order that it adjourn and reconvene Monday next at 11:00 a.m. Floor votes on the routine calendar were recorded by voice as 'the ayes have it' in multiple instances; the transcript records the outcomes but does not provide roll‑call tallies or individual recorded votes for these measures.

The Senate did not take extended floor debate on the listed bills; most were advanced after committee reports and brief voice votes. Measures that were ordered to third reading or passed to be engrossed will next proceed according to the chamber's rules and, where applicable, be transmitted to the governor or returned to the House for further action.