September 2024 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

September's issue of The Stanley Report includes the latest news from Waltham and Beacon Hill.

Don't forget that November 5, 2024 is Election Day! Learn more.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you need assistance.

Sincerely,

Tom Stanley

Rep. Stanley joined Brandeis union members and supporters at a rally for fair wages and benefits.

Rep. Stanley delivered remarks at the Waltham High School ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration.

 Rep. Stanley with Elder Affairs Committee Research Director Julianna Fernandez (photo credit: State House News Service) signing the Conference Committee "Jacket" before submitting the Long-Term Care bill to the House Clerk's Office. Read the full story below.

Rep. Stanley Celebrates Passage of Legislation to Transform Long-Term Care Sector

The Massachusetts Legislature passed sweeping reforms to the long-term care (LTC) and assisted living sectors, taking a powerful step towards delivering high quality and safe care for older residents across the Commonwealth. As House Chair of the Elder Affairs Committee, Rep. Stanley filed the legislation and led the House on the Conference Committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate long-term care bills. The Boston Globe published an editorial in support of the legislation. Read the article.

An act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care strengthens the Commonwealth’s oversight of nursing homes, provides critical anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ nursing home residents, and permanently allows assisted living residences to offer basic health services. Read the full press release.

Governor Healey signed the LTC bill into law on Friday, September 6, officially designating it as Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024.

Rep. Stanley, MA Legislature Renames Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as ‘MassAbility’, Removes Archaic Laws

Rep. Stanley and the Massachusetts legislature passed legislation to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to MassAbility, a change that will define the agency’s role in supporting residents with disabilities live independently. The name change reflects the intention to empower individuals living with disabilities and move away from outdated terminology as the office undergoes broad changes towards a more expansive model for disability employment services and independent living. The legislation also removes offensive terminology in the Massachusetts General Laws referring to people with disabilities in sections of the law that pertain to MassAbility.

Rep. Stanley Helps Pass FY24 Supplemental Budget

Rep. Stanley and the Massachusetts Legislature passed a supplemental budget that ratifies 38 collective bargaining agreements and directs funding to the health and human services workforce, childcare assistance programs, community services, and initiatives vital to the wellbeing of Massachusetts residents. The legislation directs funding to deficiencies outlined by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and makes numerous clarifications to state policies to cut red tape and create efficiencies in state government.

The legislation appropriates $362 million in funding from Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations that would be made available through Fiscal Year 2025. It directs $228 million in funding for the American Rescue Plan Act Home and Community Based Services (ARPA HCBS) Reserve to promote innovative services that enhance the quality of life and independence of people in their home and community, an investment that comes at no net cost to the state. It includes $61 million for a critical health and human services and workforce reserve to cover projected deficiencies in Fiscal Year 2024 related to the continued need for direct care staffing to respond to health needs in nursing homes, group care settings, state hospitals, and veterans’ homes, as well as other patient health and safety supports. Learn more.

Rep. Stanley, Massachusetts Legislature Pass Comprehensive Maternal Health Bill

Rep. Stanley and the Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive maternal health bill which creates a state licensure pathway for midwives and lactation consultants, encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, establishes a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder, and expands the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program. This legislation also mandates that insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals.

This legislation creates a state license that certified professional midwives must receive in order to practice midwifery, and requires certain insurance providers, such as MassHealth, to cover doula and midwifery services including prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care. The bill creates the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license and provide oversight of licensed certified professional midwives. Licensed certified professional midwives would be required to coordinate emergency care if needed and would also be able to issue prescriptions for certain drugs, under regulations to be promulgated by the Board and DPH. The bill also ensures equitable reimbursement of certified nurse-midwives by requiring that they receive payment rates equal to those for the same services performed by a physician under MassHealth. Learn more.

Rep. Stanley Signs Proclamation Declaring September as Emergency Preparedness Month

Rep. Stanley cosigned a resolution presented by Governor Maura Healey declaring September 2024 as Emergency Preparedness Month to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to encourage planning for disasters and other types of emergencies. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and other state, local, and nonprofit agencies will promote preparedness through various public outreach efforts throughout the month. These efforts are part of a month-long national campaign themed “This is why I prepare.” The goal is to personalize the reasons why local leaders and officials prepare for emergencies while encouraging others to do the same.

Throughout September, MEMA and DPH will share information on their social media accounts about emergency preparedness topics, including emergency planning, building an emergency kit, preparing for disasters, youth preparedness, ways to get involved in community preparedness, and more. Visit Mass.gov/ready to find emergency preparedness tips available in several different languages, safety tips for specific threats and hazards, preparedness resources from the MEMA, DPH, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability, and other information. 

Rep. Stanley Joins Brandeis Union Members & Supporters at Rally for Fair Wages and Benefits

Rep. Stanley attended a rally alongside hundreds of Brandeis University workers, union members, and supporters, demonstrating their commitment to fair wages and benefits. The event, held outside the university's main entrance, emphasized the urgency for new union contracts before the fall semester began. Approximately 450 direct and contract employees, including custodians, tradespeople, and teaching assistants, were working without settled agreements. The rally was organized by three SEIU locals representing different employee groups, highlighting the collective struggle for better compensation and security.

During the rally, workers shared personal stories of dedication and hardship, calling attention to the university's sizable endowment and leadership salaries in contrast to the workers' unmet demands. Rep. Stanley stood in solidarity with the workers, supporting their fight for contracts that reflect their essential contributions to the campus. Despite previous negotiations and petitions to university leadership, the unions and Brandeis remained at odds over key issues like pay, further intensifying the workers' call for justice. 

MassDOT Launches the latest Statewide Travel Study

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) launched the latest Massachusetts Travel Study, the first comprehensive statewide data collection project in over 10 years. Households across the state will be randomly selected to participate in the study. If chosen, household members will be able to complete a short travel dairy and questionnaire that asks about various trip purposes, and travel modes taken. Once complete, every participating household member will receive a gift card for use at select retailers.

Invitation letters are currently being distributed to households and will continue to arrive in mailboxes all across the state throughout the fall. We encourage all who receive an invitation to participate in the study, as this data will help MassDOT make capital investment, service delivery, and transportation planning decisions. Learn more. 

MSBA/Building a Logo Contest

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced the opening of the Building a Logo contest. The ten-week contest will open on September 16, 2024 and welcomes all 10th, 11th and 12th grade students attending a Massachusetts public school to participate. The first-place winner will receive $300. The second-place winner will receive $200. The third-place winner will receive $100.

The contest is geared towards connecting students with a deeper understanding of the work accomplished at the MSBA and inviting our most important clients, the students, to assist the MSBA in reimagining a new authority logo. By participating in this competition, young artists will have the opportunity to expand their artistic horizons and gain recognition for their creativity and skill. Learn more here. 

Grant Opportunity: Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and the Massachusetts Export Center, announced the opening of the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program ("STEP").

The STEP Program is intended to help offset international business development and related marketing costs for small businesses. Eligible small businesses in Massachusetts are encouraged to apply for grants under STEP for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. Grant proceeds may be used for specific international business development and marketing costs outlined here. This program is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The application deadline is Monday, September 30 at 5:00 p.m. Learn more. 

Waltham Public Schools Awarded Interpreter in Education Setting Training Grant

Rep. Stanley is proud to announce that Waltham Public Schools has been awarded a $28,950 FY25 Interpreter in the Education Setting Training grant. This competitive state-funded grant enables school districts across Massachusetts to provide specialized training and stipends for bilingual staff to become certified interpreters in educational settings through DESE-approved courses. Additionally, districts may receive funding to become an Approved Provider of DESE training materials, further enhancing their ability to support non-English speaking students and families. This grant reflects the state’s commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible education for all.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Over $40 Million in Federal Funding to Boost Literacy and Student Assessments

Massachusetts has been awarded more than $40 million in federal funding from the Biden-Harris administration to enhance literacy initiatives and improve standardized assessments over the next five years. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) secured the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant, totaling $38.4 million, the largest literacy grant offered by the federal government. Building on the success of programs like GLEAM (Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts) and Literacy Launch, this new funding will support the expansion of evidence-based, culturally, and linguistically responsive practices in English language arts and literacy from pre-K through grade 12, through grants to districts and schools.

In addition to literacy efforts, DESE continues to innovate in student assessments, particularly in science and technology. With input from over 50 teachers and thousands of students, the department is developing state-of-the-art science assessments for grades 5 and 8, incorporating both computer simulations and hands-on, classroom-based tasks. Massachusetts will also receive $3.9 million in the upcoming year through the Comprehensive Grants for State Assessments to provide professional development for science educators and support the creation of curriculum-embedded science performance tasks for students from kindergarten through grade 8. These assessments will offer real-time insights into students' knowledge, enhancing the learning process and ensuring high-quality science instruction across the state. 

Wreaths Across America at Mt. Feake Cemetery

On December 14, 2024 at 11:00 am (Wreath Placement Immediately Following Ceremony), Wreaths Across America will be at Mt. Feake Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Learn more. 

Regan's Corner

Meet Regan! Rep. Stanley and his family rescued a pup and named her Regan. Regan loves long walks, playing games in the yard, making friends and lounging with Rep. Stanley!

Help an animal find a home! Learn more about The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and ways you can help.

The Animal Rescue League continues to support legislation that enhances and improves protections for animals, and to oppose reforms that endanger the welfare of animals in Massachusetts. Learn more about ARL's current legislative agenda here.

About Rep. Stanley

State Representative

City Council

Former City Council President

State Committee:

Co-Chairperson, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs

Member of:

Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission

Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias

City Council:

Veterans Committee

Economic Development Committee

Committee of the Whole

Education: Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)

Community Involvement (Past & Present):

Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Youth Basketball Association, Basketball Plus Program, Central Middle School Basketball, Little Nippers Baseball, Warrendale Little League, Waltham Youth Soccer, Waltham Police Athletic League, CCD Teacher, St. Jude Church, Waltham Lions Club, Waltham Rotary Club, Reagle Players Board of Directors, Warrendale Little League Board of Directors, Waltham Partnership for Youth Board of Directors, Waltham Day Center (Homeless) Advisors Board, Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe & Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Waltham Public Library Planning Committee, Waltham Sons of Italy, Middlesex Area Enough Abuse Campaign

Awards: 

Work, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Dignity Award Certificate of Appreciation,

Home Care Ally Award, Home Care Aid Council

Personal:

Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss

Children: Ryan, age 30, Parker, age 21 & puppy Regan