(BOSTON) - It is a busy time of year for the Massachusetts State Legislature. Several of the 7,000 bills filed this session have begun to advance through the legislative process. Three bills filed by State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) have advanced in recent weeks.  Representative Meschino and State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) filed H.4862, which designates September 22nd as Military Service Member and Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. The legislation was brought to their offices by a local family who lost a loved one to suicide. The bill passed the House and heads to the Senate for their consideration.  The bill serves to shed light on the tragic and persistent issue of mental health struggles and suicide in our Veteran community.  On average, we lose over 7,000 Veterans to suicide each year.  That number continues to grow.  In 2020, 1 in 9 suicide deaths in Massachusetts were current or former . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - Following the conclusion of formal session in the 193rd legislative session, many forms of State Representative Joan Meschino’s (D-Hull) legislation have been signed and passed into law.  In the FY25 budget, Representative Meschino secured funding for three key groups in the Third Plymouth District. The Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research received $40,000 for funding a micro-credentialing program for youth that will focus on coastal research and geospatial climate resilience. The program is being developed together with the University of Massachusetts Global. The Anchor of Hull received a programming grant of $25,000, which will be used to boost the Anchor’s regular weekly programming and recovery meetings for those impacted by substance use disorder. Finally, the Hingham Unity Council received a programming grant of $35,000, which will go towards the programming budget for inclusion events in the community.  A form of supportive housing, a priority bill originally filed . . . Read More

$5.16B housing bond bill adds resources for new units, makes sweeping policy changes to simplify and incentivize development (BOSTON) – The Massachusetts Legislature has passed the Affordable Homes Act, the largest housing investment in Massachusetts history and a powerful first step in tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis. The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in bond authorizations and tax credits to spur housing production in Massachusetts, while implementing sweeping policy initiatives to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing in Massachusetts. “This bill is a significant investment in the future of our local communities,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “On Tuesday, Governor Healey signed the Housing Bond Bill which included, among other key elements, a flexible supportive housing pool fund which I have championed. This will help support affordable housing organizations that make our communities stronger and more livable. I will continue to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) has continued to pursue a robust legislative agenda following her successes after February’s Joint Rule 10 deadline, at which time most Joint Committees must issue their recommendations for the next steps of bills under their review. Six bills filed by Representative Meschino received favorable reports and will move forward in the legislative process. Highlighting these successes is the Joint Committee on Housing’s second favorable report of H.1354, An Act to create and implement a Massachusetts flexible supportive housing subsidy pool program. This legislation will braid public and private funding to meet the needs of homeless individuals, families, and unaccompanied youth across the continuum of care. Under her leadership on climate and environmental policy, Representative Meschino filed An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management (H.861) which received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural . . . Read More

(BOSTON) - On Wednesday, May 31st, State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined advocates from across the Commonwealth, including representatives of Plymouth County’s regional commission, at the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Lobby Day held at the State House. Among the bills supported by the Commission is H.669, An Act supporting parents running for public office, co-filed by Representative Meschino and Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). The advocacy day’s events were highlighted by a speech from Governor Maura Healey. The Governor spoke about the significance of her position as the first woman elected as governor of the Commonwealth and as a member of the first all-female governor and lieutenant governor team in the nation. She also shared her anticipation of a strong continued partnership with the Commission. “The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women does excellent, critical work to advance the status of women and girls in the . . . Read More

Newly released data shows Campaign Funds for Childcare is a smart policy that is proven to empower more parents and caregivers to run for office. Boston, Mass (January 24, 2024) - The Massachusetts Parents Running for Office (PRO) Coalition held a press conference on Wednesday, January 24th at the Massachusetts State House in support of An Act supporting parents running for public office (H.669 / S.422). Bill sponsors Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge), and Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined in coalition with Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), the national group Vote Mama Foundation, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL), the MA Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women (MassNOW), and parents in public office as they called for a favorable report of the legislation. The bill, currently before the Joint Committee on . . . Read More

Legislation addresses teen sexting and image-based sexual assault, coercive control, and extends the statute of limitations for certain domestic violence offenses (BOSTON) – On Wednesday, January 10, Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation that combines several separate legislative initiatives into one bill which will help prevent abuse and exploitation, while also enhancing protections for survivors. The legislation addresses teen sexting and image-based sexual assault, commonly referred to as “revenge porn”; expands the definition of abuse to include coercive control for the purposes of obtaining a restraining order; and extends the statute of limitations for certain domestic violence offenses from six years to 15 years. “We know that abuse extends beyond the physical; emotional and psychological damage caused by manipulation and control is something this bill intends to prevent,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “Equally important is that our youth receive information . . . Read More