In this section you will find information regarding legislation from the current session (2011-2012).

On July 29, 2011, Representative Peisch voted in favor of House Bill 3644, An Act Relative to the Reorganization of the Judicial System of the Commonwealth. This legislation is aimed at improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the state's court system, as well as restoring public trust in the Department of Probation. The bill establishes a civilian court administrator to oversee and run the general administration of the Trial Court. In addition, the legislation brings transparency to hiring and promoting practices across state agencies, including the Department of Probation. The bill was passed by the Senate, and signed by Governor Patrick on August 4th, 2011.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

Alimony Reform

Representative Peisch joined her colleagues on July 20th, 2011, in unanimously passing House Bill 3617, An Act Reforming Alimony in the Commonwealth, legislation to reform guidelines for determining the form, amount, and duration of alimony payments. The legislation establishes four new categories for alimony: "general term alimony," "rehabilitative alimony," "reimbursement alimony," and "transitional alimony." Each of these categories is designed to give payers and recipients a straightforward understanding of how long alimony payments will be made or received in a given case. Additionally, this bill results in certain current alimony payers and recipients being permitted to petition the court for a modification of their current alimony orders under the term of this bill.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

On July 1st, 2011, Representative Peisch joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing a $30.59 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2012. The budget is aimed at increasing government efficiency, containing and cutting costs, and protecting services that residents of Massachusetts rely on. The budge successfully closes a $1.9 billion budget gap with funding reductions, continuing revenue initiatives, and one-time revenues. Governor Patrick signed the budget on July 11th.

Budget Highlights:
- Increased Chapter 70 funding (local aid to public schools) by $140 million
- Increased Special Education Circuit Breaker funding by $80 million

Municipal Health Insurance Reform:  The budget includes a plan that reforms municipal health insurance that will provide savings for cities and towns, while ensuring that employees and retirees have strong voice. The plan does not alter collective bargaining rights associated with premium splits, but allows municipalities to alter co-payments, deductibles, and other plan design featurs with input from employees and retirees. Finally, as a local option proposal, municipalities are not required to implement plan design changes for employees, but rather they will have the option to implement or abstain from plan design changes.

To learn more about the FY12 budget, please visit the House budget website by clicking here.

On Wednesday, March 31, 2011, the House and Senate enacted House Bill 3318, An Act Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other Activities and Projects. The total amount for this supplemental budget package is $325 million, which includes: $180 million for Bay State hospitals, $50 million for snow and ice contractors across the Commonwealth, many of whom have not received compensation for the work they did this winter, and $8 million for housing.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

On Monday, April 11, 2011, Governor Patrick signed House Bill 3324, An Act to Provide for a Capital Outlay Program of Maintenance and Improvements to Municipal Road and Bridge Assets of the Commonwealth. The legislation apportions $200 million in Chapter 90 funds to improve roads and bridges across the state.

Town-by-town Ch. 90 funds approved:

Natick: additional $231,964 from FY'11 budget (increase of 29.37%)

Wellesley: additional $188,220 from FY'11 budget (increase of 29.05%)

Weston: additional $109,956 from FY'11 budget (increase of 30.02%)

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

In this section you will find legislative accomplishments from the last session (2009-2010) along with accomplishments from past sessions as well.

On Thursday, August 5th, Governor Patrick signed S.B. 2582, An Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization.

On Friday, August 6th, Governor Patrick signed S.B. 2583, An Act Reforming the Administrative Procedures Relative to Criminal Offender Record Information and Pre- and Post- Trial Supervised Release.

On Friday, July 2nd, Governor Patrick signed H.B. 4795, An Act Relative to Safe Driving. The bill will take effect in 90 days.

On Wednesday, August 4th, Governor Patrick signed H.B. 4156, An Act Relative to the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.

On Wednesday, May 19th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to pass H.B. 4689, An Act Relative to Manufacturer Rebates and Discount Programs. The bill was sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate failed to pass the measure.