Support Public Health Services Bill
Please ask your State Senator and Representative to support H.2329/S.1386, An Act related to accelerating improvements in the local and regional public health system to address disparities to the delivery of public health services (SAPHE 2.0). See LWVMA testimony.
This bill mandates that all laws and public health policies of Massachusetts be followed in every community in the state, providing public health services to all residents equitably. It establishes sustainable state funding, which has already been included in the budget for the next two fiscal years. Had this system been in place before the pandemic, we could have received our vaccines in our own town, and contact tracing and uniform data collection would have been in place.
Reassure your local board of health and town government that the only changes for them are: (a) increased ability to make coalitions with surrounding towns to share staff and (b) state funds will be available to hire the public health nurse(s) and social worker(s) needed to comply.
It’s Time for Accurate Sex Education
An Act relative to healthy youth H.673/S.318 has been in the state legislative pipeline for over 10 years. Thirty-eight members of the State Senate recently voted to pass this bill, which is now in the State House Ways & Means Committee. The House has historically blocked this bill after the Senate has passed it. Please contact your State Representative and urge them to pass this bill this session.
There is abundant research showing that our youth need education that helps them learn correct facts about their sexuality. This education can help them have more fulfilling relationships and reduce sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Since consent will be a part of the curriculum, students will also be less likely to see coercion/violence in sexual relations as acceptable. Twenty-two states already require scientifically correct sex education in their schools. See LWVMA testimony.