The 2007-2008 Legislative Session is now underway. I have focused my efforts this session on five main issues, which I believe have a profound impact on our community and the Commonwealth.

Under the Legislature's joint rules, our formal legislative activity is scheduled to conclude at the end of July 2008. The Legislature will still be actively working through the end of the year, meeting in session twice weekly, but no further recorded roll call votes are scheduled after July 30.

Thankfully, my landmark legislation, which created so-called Baby Safe Havens, was passed into law in September 2007. A complete listing of my legislative initiatives follows.

Representative Barry R. Finegold 17th Essex 2007-2008 Legislation  

H.B. 92; An Act Relative to the Safe Placement of Newborn Infants

• Baby Safe Havens
• Strikes the June 2008 sunset clause and adds 911 Emergency responders to the list of designated persons/places for surrender.
• Signed into law on September 6, 2007, as Chapter 86, Acts of 2007.

H.B. 1418; An Act Relative to Concealing a Controlled Substance in an Automobile

• This legislation will increase the fines and penalties for concealing a controlled substance in a sealed, hidden compartment within an automobile.
• The goal of this legislation is to send a strong message to drug dealers that concealing drugs for transport will not be tolerated.
• This measure adds a section to the Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, Chapter 94C of the General Laws, which penalizes the use of such compartments within automobiles, much like those used by jewelers in the transport of precious gems, for the concealment of controlled substances.
• The penalty for violating this section shall be a term of imprisonment in a state prison for no less than 2 ½ nor more than 15 years and by a fine of no less than $1,000 and up to $10,000.
• Drug traffickers take advantage of secret compartments in automobiles such as false walls and false electronic equipment to transport drugs for distribution.
• Drug dealers use sealed, hidden compartments within automobiles for various reasons such concealing drugs from a police officer’s plain view in the event of a routine traffic stop.
• By increasing the penalty for such an act, we give our public safety agencies and officials an additional tool to penalize and prosecute drug dealers and keep drugs off of our streets.

H.B. 2509; An Act Relative to Establishing a Certain Hate Crime

• Adds “housing status” to the list of classes protected against hate crimes.
• An Act Establishing a Certain Hate Crime ensures that violent acts toward homeless individuals, who are targeted because of their homeless status, will be handled as any hate crime currently prosecuted under Massachusetts law.  This measure will further protect the civil rights of Massachusetts citizens, regardless of their economic circumstances or housing status.
• Currently, the Massachusetts Hate Crime Statute makes it a crime to assault and cause injury to an individual with the intent to intimidate the person based on his race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.  Such crimes are punishable by five years in state prison and up to a ten thousand dollar fine.  This legislation will bring a person’s housing status under the Hate Crime Statute.

H.B. 2900; An Act Relative to Economic Investment in Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Related Technologies

• Establishes incentives for and promotes investment and research in renewable energy use.

H.B. 1417; An Act Increasing Criminal Sanctions for Drug Distribution near Youth Centers

• This legislation will create drug-free safe zones around youth centers.  The goal of the legislation is to send a strong message to drug dealers to stay away from our youth.
• Currently, anyone participating in drug activity around a school, public park, or playground faces one of two penalties: 

               i.       Incarceration in a state prison for up to 15 years with a minimum sentence of 2 ½ years, or

               ii.      Incarceration in a jail or house of correction for 2 to 2 ½ years 

•     3.This legislation adds “youth centers” to the list of protected drug free zones.
•     4. A youth center is defined as:  A building which houses any organization, the activities of which are funded publicly, privately or through a   non-profit organization, that provides after school recreational, educational or social activities primarily for youth in the community.
•     5. Preying on our children does not end at our school zones…another concentration of our youth is at youth centers.  A young person should be tempted by activities like basketball, arts and crafts, even producing their own music videos, as is the case at the Lawrence YMCA.  They should not be tempted by drugs.
•     6. This legislation gives our law enforcement and other public safety agencies another tool to create a safer Commonwealth and brighter future for our children.
•     7. This legislation has the support of over a dozen state legislators.
•     8. This effort also has the support of Lawrence Police Chief John Romero and Essex County District Attorney John Blodgett:

               i.      Romero has said, “Drug free school zones have been an absolute deterrent to drug dealers.  This new legislation will help in our  fight against drugs.”

               ii.      Blodgett has said, “I think this is an excellent idea, this legislation will provide an effective weapon in prosecuting drug dealers who would prey upon our children and deal narcotics in their midst.”