Ron Mariano

House Democrats advanced a bill to remove restrictions on late-term abortions, replacing a four-pronged framework from the 2022 shield law with a provision allowing abortions based on a physician's professional judgment. The bill cleared the House Ways and Means Committee on a 23-6 vote and is set for a full House vote, with Republican representatives opposing its advancement.

A House bill claiming to enhance transparency by allowing legislative audits limits the state auditor's access to 17 public record categories and prohibits judicial review if records are denied. The bill also establishes a legislative-controlled process for handling public records requests, contrasting with the governor’s office being made subject to existing records laws.

House Speaker Ron Mariano expressed skepticism about the Senate’s primary care bill and indicated a focus on prescription drug reforms. The Senate passed primary care legislation (S 3141) with a 15% spending target for the sector, while the House aims to negotiate improvements before the July 31 deadline for conference committee bills.

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged, prompting Massachusetts legislators to consider a bill eliminating religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements. The bill, H.2554, advanced through key committees earlier this session than in previous years and has 70% public support, though its final passage remains uncertain.

The Massachusetts House passed a data privacy bill allowing consumers to sue large data collectors and opt out of data collection, while permitting sale of sensitive data with consumer consent. The bill, a revised version of a Senate proposal, aims to limit data collection by tech companies and ensure transparency, but faces criticism for being less restrictive than the Senate's original draft.

Massachusetts House Democrats passed a bill to limit the state auditor's power to audit the Legislature and control access to legislative records, drawing criticism from GOP lawmakers and transparency advocates. The bill, which passed 125-28 along party lines, faces opposition from Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who claims it undermines a 2024 voter-approved law. Senate Democrats have taken a different approach, releasing some documents while reserving the right to reject future requests.