senate

BOSTON (AP) _ Lawmakers might need more time to reach a final compromise on a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations. Senate President Stan Rosenberg said Tuesday that it's unlikely senators will vote to add language that would allow legal action against anyone who makes an ``improper'' claim of gender identity...

The Massachusetts House has ok'd a bill that would send $200 million to communities across the state for road repairs. The State Senate now takes up the measure. State Senator Mark Montigny of New Bedford realizes the significance of the surplus funding for the city and it's residents, and is hoping New Bedford will receive $3 million to make progress on the city's streets...

BOSTON (AP) _ House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a bill that would end the state's longstanding policy of automatically suspending for up to five years the driver's licenses of people convicted of drug offenses. The deal announced Tuesday by a six-member conference committee would also eliminate a $500 driver's license reinstatement fee for convicted drug offenders...

BOSTON (AP) _ The Massachusetts House and Senate have given final approval to a wide-ranging effort to address the state's deadly opioid addiction crisis. The Senate on Thursday unanimously approved the bill that would limit initial painkiller prescriptions to a seven-day supply and set an evaluation requirement within 24 hours for overdose victims seeking help at hospital emergency rooms... Read

Did you hear the latest "legislation" story that will have you singing that insurance jingle, "Like a good neighbor" ... I get the concept of "Love Thy Neighbor," but Rhode Island is about to flip that around. Democrats in the Rhode Island General Assembly have passed a law that will require home owners to prune up or pay up...

BOSTON (AP) _ The Massachusetts Senate has approved an overhaul of a public records law that critics have called among the most outdated and cumbersome in the nation. The bill passed on a 35-0 vote Thursday would establish new timetables for state agencies and municipalities to comply with public records requests...

State Representative William Strauss is defending the hands-free cell phone bill currently making it's way through the State Legislature. The Senate passed a bill similar to the House version last week, requiring hands-free technology such as a bluetooth headset if drivers wish to talk on their phones...

Mayor Jon Mitchell says he has some reservations about a bill that would limit cell phone use in the car. The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that would require drivers to use hands-free devices if they were to talk on the phone while imposing fines of up to $500 for violators...

As it stands right now in Massachusetts, you cannot text while driving. That was made illegal in 2010. The law specifically said drivers over 18 years old could still make and take calls on their phones, as long as "1 hand remains on the steering wheel at all times...

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts doctors and health insurers would be encouraged to take new approaches to treating pain in legislation unanimously approved by the Senate.