Advocating for Legislative Changes

I was proud to take part in several important initiatives this year as part of the legislative process.

In January I was honored to testify in favor of a bill I filed, House Bill 2422, known popularly as “Matt’s Law.” This bill seeks to ban the use of free weights in state prisons, and it is not only a necessary measure for the safety of our corrections officers but also for the welfare of the inmate population. It’s inspired by a tragic incident involving Corrections Officer Matt Tidman, who was brutally attacked and nearly killed by a convicted murderer incarcerated within MCI Shirley in August 2022. The perpetrator committed his brutal attack by wielding a steel bar from a free weight set. The men and women who serve as corrections officers undertake a challenging and often dangerous role, deserving of our utmost efforts to ensure their safety. As of this writing, this bill has not yet received legislative approval, but I plan to re-file and continue pushing for this bill in the coming legislative session.

One bill that did get signed into law this year was a measure to protect our firefighters and communities from exposure to dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals. These chemicals, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” or PFAS, pose many health threats. They are increasingly being found in public water supplies across the country, which is a pressing public health concern. They also have been linked to cancer suffered by firefighters because one of their many uses is to make flame-retardant gear worn by firefighters. This bill is the first law of its kind in the country and I am proud to have supported its passage.

Speaking of supporting our first responders, I was proud to continue advocating for two other bills this session that are important to me personally. One bill is an update to Nero’s Law, passed last session. This measure would improve upon the law by clarifying that police dogs injured in the line of duty would be eligible to receive advanced life support care if they need it. I am also proud to have been the sponsor of “Dakota’s Bill,” which would be used to pay for documented expenses for the care, support, and medical needs of retired police dogs (subject to legislative appropriation). The bill is named after a special police dog named Dakota, who was the subject of a recent featured film documenting his service and sacrifices.