Baker said there are about 47,000 federal employees in Massachusetts, many of whom have been furloughed and are going without pay. Charlie Baker says his administration is exploring ways to offer state unemployment benefits to federal workers and contractors who are not being paid because of the partial federal government shutdown. – “Massachusetts weighing offering benefits to federal workers,” by Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press: “Republican Gov. Beginning this month, nearly 250,000 low-income and disabled patients will be asked questions such as whether they or their children were able to get appointments when they needed them, whether doctors and office staff communicated respectfully, and whether their mental health treatment actually improved their ability to work or attend school.” Now, for the first time, Massachusetts is seeking the opinions of thousands of Medicaid recipients about their experiences in the doctor’s office. – “Massachusetts will ask Medicaid patients about quality of care,” by Liz Kowalczyk, Boston Globe: “Privately insured patients have been asked to rate their medical providers for years. Katherine Clark is a guest on “Radio Boston.” DATELINE BEACON HILL Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell appears on “Boston Public Radio.” Rep. Jim O’Day announce $2.5 million in grants in Worcester. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivers his State of the City address. Charlie Baker attends a Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police Association meeting in Everett. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch. The legislation also requires probation and bail officials notify authorities when a person on pre-trial release commits a new offense in the state, calls on police to take fingerprints of all people arrested, not just those charged with a felony, and would allow a dangerousness hearing at any point in a criminal proceeding. The governor’s legislation being filed today contains additional provisions, including a requirement that courts develop a texting service to remind defendants of upcoming court dates, a new felony offense for cutting off a court-ordered GPS device, and improvements to the system for notifying victims of abuse crimes when a defendant is going to be released. “Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean Gannon, Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna, Auburn Police Officer Ron Tarentino and State Trooper Thomas Clardy all gave their lives carrying out their sworn duty, protecting the people of this Commonwealth,” Baker said on Inauguration Day. 6, after several of the state’s police officers were killed by people with past criminal histories. Baker previously filed the bill last session on Sept. In his inaugural address earlier this month, the governor emphasized the need for a “common sense approach” to scheduling dangerousness hearings for people with a history of violence.

“This legislation redrafts the statutes that govern pretrial release in Massachusetts with a focus on empowering the judicial system to make better decisions regarding the release of potentially dangerous individuals.”īaker will announce the bill later this morning at the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police Association meeting in Everett. This sort of revolving door serves to undermine people’s faith in law enforcement and the courts and threatens public safety,” Baker wrote in a filing letter addressed to the Legislature, which was viewed by POLITICO.

“Too often, dangerous career criminals are arrested only to be released as soon as they appear in court. Police could detain people they see violate court-ordered release conditions, like an order to stay away from a victim or a public playground, under the proposed law. The legislation would also close loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that limit ways to address safety concerns, according to Baker’s office. The bill, “An Act to Protect the Commonwealth from Dangerous Persons,” would expand the list of offenses that merit a ‘dangerousness‘ hearing. Charlie Baker is re-filing a bill today that his office says will give courts and law enforcement “additional tools” to make sure dangerous criminals are held in custody before their trials.

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