Volume 7, Issue 12 (December 26, 2025) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the holidays with family and friends. December's edition includes recent legislative updates, news from my office, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
We prioritize our constituent outreach and support in my office. In January, I will host three in-person office hours with me or a member of my staff. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting. Please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
617-722-2092
Happy Holidays!
Very truly yours,
Joan
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NEW! Each month, I invite you to submit questions you have for me. It can be on a particular policy issue, district topic, about my day-to-day, or whatever is on your mind. I will answer one submitted question on my socials during the third week of the following month. I will also share a timely video from my office during the first week of the month.
Submit a question!
Follow along on Instagram and Facebook!
| | Governor Healey Holds Veteran Suicide Awareness Bill Signing | | |
Governor Healey signed into law the bill Senator O'Connor and I filed designating September 22nd as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (SAR) Day. It is because of the bravery of families in the face of tragedy that this bill was brought forward and signed into law.
Massachusetts is the first state to enact this legislation so no more parents have to go through the unimaginable. This annual day of remembrance supports our veterans, service members, and their families, while promoting awareness and providing resources to those struggling.
The event was attended by fellow legislators, local veterans, military suicide prevention organizations, and families who have lost loved ones to suicide.
Thank you to Governor Healey; Senator O'Connor; House Chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Joe McGonagle; the Office of Veterans Affairs; the SAR Flag organization staff including Kevin Hertell, Eric D'Arce, and Hingham resident Keith Jermyn; Hingham Veterans' Services Director Shannon Burke; and the brave families who came forward. Your tireless support of this legislation has made it a reality.
If you or someone in your life is a Veteran dealing with mental health challenges, you can dial 988, and then press 1 for 24/7 confidential, crisis support.
You can read more in Governor Healey's press release.
| | Governor Healey with Joanne and Peter Handibode, Gold Star parents of Peter J. Handibode, USMC. Photo by Josh Qualls, Governor's office. | | Rep. Meschino; Sen. O'Connor; Rep. Xiarhos; Hingham Veterans' Services Director Shannon Burke; members of the SAR Flag team; members of the Partyka, Cook, and Handibode families; and other bill supporters. | Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll alongside the veterans and military service members present at the bill signing. Photo by Josh Qualls, Governor's office. | | Meschino Bills Advance on Beacon Hill | | |
December marks the halfway point for the 194th Legislative Session, and many of the nearly 7,000 bills have advanced through the legislative process. Several of Representative Meschino’s priority bills have received favorable action.
Home Rule (Local) Petitions
When addressing municipal-level issues, members of the legislature file home rule petitions. Representative Meschino and Senator O’Connor have jointly filed five this legislative session:
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H.4314 allows Hingham to use municipal property as a location for a center for active living. The bill was engrossed in the House and Senate, and awaits enactment.
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H.4244 modernizes the permitted methods Hingham uses for publication of legal notices. The bill received a favorable report and sits in the Committee on Third Reading.
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H.4561 authorizes Cohasset to issue five additional alcohol licenses to drive the local economy. The bill received a favorable report and resides in the Committee on Third Reading.
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H.4247 allows Hull to increase parking fines from $50 to $100, to manage the deluge of summer visitors and the effects on the residential and business community. The bill received a favorable report and is now in front of the Committee on Third Reading.
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H.4739 updates the operating structure of Hull’s municipal light plant. The bill had a hearing in late November and sits in front of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
State-Wide Legislation On the Move
Legal Protection for Children in Foster Care: H.267 ensures that a child’s attorney is alerted ahead of a new placement or hospitalization, and immediately following any arrest or disciplinary action. Children in foster care deserve stability, but most experience multiple placements, causing lasting harm. The bill was included as part of H.4644, a larger children and families bill, which passed the House. It will now go to the Senate for their consideration.
Representative Meschino has multiple other bills in the children and families space that have received favorable reports including bills focused on minimizing trauma for children in foster care (H.266), keeping siblings together in foster care (H.268), securing adequate parental visitation (H.269), and ensuring consideration of a child’s identity during proceedings (H.270).
Sustainable Funding for Community Media: H.91/S.41 and H.106 provide funding for community media centers by imposing a fee on digital streaming providers which are using public rights of way in order to sell their services to Massachusetts residents. This follows the model of fees for cable franchises. The bill received a favorable report from the House and Senate committees and is now in front of the Ways and Means committees for consideration.
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women: Representative Meschino and Senator O’Connor’s bill (H.2313) to address a technical error in the Commission’s enabling legislation was signed by the Governor on October 30th, 2025.
Additional Priorities
Representative Meschino continues to push for legislation focused on climate, civic engagement, support for children in the foster system, public health, workers’ rights, and affordable housing.
The legislative session will continue for the duration of 2026. A full list of Representative Meschino’s legislation can be found here.
| | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | Construction Continues at Hingham Ferry Dock | Construction is ongoing in the Hingham Parking lot and on Shipyard Drive in preparation for the Hingham Ferry Dock upgrades. There is reduced parking in the lot, and portions of Shipyard Drive are affected. For more information, visit this link. | Hingham Receives Building Accessibility Grant | |
The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD), through the Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Grant Program, awarded Hingham $100,000. This competitive grant program helps cities and towns improve access to public programs, services, and spaces for people with disabilities.
Grant funding will be used for accessibility improvements to the Lincoln School Apartments by remodeling the common spaces, including the community room's kitchen and dining areas, laundry room, hallways, first floor bathroom, and roof deck. Improvements include replacing inaccessible appliances, hardware, tables, sinks, and counters, and addressing inaccessible walkways, maneuvering space, and entrances.
| Hingham Restaurant Wins Economic Development Incentive Program Award | The Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) is the Commonwealth’s primary program to foster full-time job creation, job retention and stimulate business growth in Massachusetts. A state tax credit award of $495,000 was approved for Yankee Trader Seafood Ltd in Hingham. Yankee Trader is a women-owned seafood manufacturer and distributor investing $7.4 million to purchase a building to expand seafood manufacturing and develop cold storage space in Hingham that will result in 33 net new jobs. | Eviction Assistance Available to Federal Employees Impacted by Shutdown | | |
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities recently published a form to stop eviction processes for federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.
Under a law signed by Governor Healey on Nov. 25, 2025, landlords cannot start an eviction for nonpayment of rent against an “impacted federal worker” during a federal shutdown, as long as the tenant provides timely notice and documentation. Impacted federal workers include people who live in Massachusetts and work for the federal government — including active-duty military, National Guard, and reserve components — and were furloughed or required to work without pay during the shutdown.
This legislative achievement is permanent and applies to the previous and any future federal government shutdowns. Governor Healey extended the protections under this law to cover those affected until January 26, 2026. You can find the financial hardship for federal workers form here.
| Healthcare Enrollment Open Through MAHealthConnector | | |
OPEN ENROLLMENT: Now through January 23, 2026, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance coverage or shop for a new plan without a qualifying life event.
For more information, including an estimate tool, navigators in your area, and additional resources, please visit MAhealthconnector.org.
| | Meschino Team Visits WATD Studios and Talking Information Center | | |
This month, I sat down with Christine James on WATD 95.9 to discuss the Veteran suicide awareness and remembrance bill that I filed which was signed into law, affordable housing, climate financing legislation, the Fore River Bridge notification system, and more. You can listen here.
I also brought my staff along to volunteer at the wonderful Talking Information Center, providing daily recordings of print-based sources for the blind and visually impaired. Thank you for having us!
| | Rep. Meschino with her legislative aides at the WATD studio. | | Mr. and Mrs. Claus Come to Town | | Mr. and Mrs. Claus came to the Third Plymouth District this year! As it so happens, David Bigley and Agnes McCann were nowhere to be found at the time of the sighting... Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! | | Rep. Meschino Celebrates Beginning of Hanukkah | | This month, I attended South Shore Chabad's Menorah Lighting. On a snowy evening, members of the community gathered at Hingham Shipyard to celebrate light, hope, and the beginning of Hanukkah. | | Rep. Meschino attends South Shore Chabad's Menorah Lighting. | | 3rd Plymouth Students Recognized for Patriotic Essay Competition | | |
This month, I had the pleasure of presenting citations to the winners of the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy competitions. The competition, organized by Veterans of Foreign Wars, asks students to write and record essays on a patriotic theme. This year, students explored the question: How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?
Congratulations to all the winners!
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Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for January
Constituent services are our top priority. We continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a staff member will be present in the State House. On Mondays, I host in-person office hours in the district with me or a member of my staff.
If you would like to reserve a time slot for virtual office hours or outside of the times listed, please call the office at our new phone number 617-722-2092 or email my Legislative Aides, Jane and Harrison.
- Monday, January 5, 10:00am - 11:00am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, January 12, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, January 26, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
| | Massachusetts 250th Anniversary Rev250 Events | |
- Across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. The 3rd Plymouth District will be celebrating its rich history with a series of events over the coming two years.
- View South Shore events here.
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