Supplemental Budget to Close Fiscal Year 2023 Passed by Senate, Signed Into Law
December 4, 2023Today, the Massachusetts Senate took final action on a supplemental budget designed to close out Fiscal Year 2023. The Senate’s supplemental budget totals $3.1 billion and contains several provisions to support the ongoing operations of programs and services that benefit the residents of the Commonwealth.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET TO CLOSE FISCAL YEAR 2023 PASSED BY SENATE, SIGNED INTO LAW
December 4, 2023Bill passes shortly after being received from House, clears way for funding of emergency shelter aid and worker contracts
SENATE PASSES PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (PACT) ACT 3.0
November 15, 2023Bill continues Senate’s work to lower prescription drug costs, promote transparency, and increase patient access
Senate Unveils Pharmaceutical Access, Cost and Transparency (PACT) Act 3.0
November 9, 2023Today, the Massachusetts Senate unveiled An Act relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Cost and Transparency, otherwise known as the PACT Act 3.0. This comprehensive pharmaceutical cost control legislation is aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing costs of prescription drugs. By connecting the need for greater drug price transparency with policies to improve oversight for the pharmaceutical industry, the PACT Act 3.0 puts the Senate at the forefront of the state’s efforts to tackle rapidly increasing prescription drug costs. It will also reduce drug costs for patients and lower health care costs overall, as well as provide a no-cost sharing option for certain prescription drugs used to treat chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect communities of color and residents with lower income.
Senate votes for historic expansion of access to menstrual products
October 26, 2023Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to broadly expand access to menstrual products in a wide range of public facilities across the state.
Senate passes bill expanding access to HIV prevention drug
October 26, 2023Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed An Act enabling pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP, a bipartisan bill that would allow Massachusetts pharmacists to prescribe PrEP—pre-exposure prophylaxis—a life-saving medication that is nearly 100 per cent effective in stopping the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Senate passes legislation addressing Massachusetts pay inequities
October 19, 2023Bill would boost salary transparency, tackle unfair compensation for women and people of color
Massachusetts Legislature Passes Comprehensive Tax Relief Package
September 28, 2023With the goal of providing financial relief to families across the Commonwealth while making Massachusetts more competitive with other states, the Massachusetts Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan tax relief package supporting residents across all income levels on Thursday.