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march 23, 2010
My response to the JC's decision to place House 1523 into Study:Date: Monday, March 22, 2010, 8:55 PM Good afternoon,
I learned that House Bill 1523 has been recommended to Study Order. By definition,
this would lead one to believe that the Committee would like further investigation and "study" before a resolution
is reached. However, the fact is not many bills - if any at all - ever see any action once placed into study.
In other words, House Bill 1523 has taken a glorified trip to the recycle bin.
I have a hard time putting my disappointment into words, mostly
because I simply cannot wrap my brain around the Committee's decision against an extension on this bill at the very least.
I see it as a total lack of regard for what the majority of the Commonwealth wants.
I am sending a certified letter
this week to the House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee requesting the following: Why did the Committee take
the action of placing the bill into study versus voting for an extension? If the Committee needed more time to reach resolution, an extension would have alleviated the April deadline.
I will never believe the Committee actually needs to see more data and/or research. I and the hundreds of victims
that have contacted me through my website are walking proof of why this bill needs to pass. The Commonwealth has already
compiled significant amounts of data and research regarding sexual victimization and the result on MA cities and towns.
In fact, the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security just published extensive data in April 2008. I am also requesting copies of all opposing testimony and the roll call vote, including names
of Committee members in attendance and which way they voted.
I appreciate how busy Committee members are, but I would like this information
as quickly as possible so the public can better prepare the piece of legislation that will meet the Committee's requirements
in order to attain a favorable resolution.
Thank you in advance for your time. And thank you to all House and Senate members who did the right thing and
supported House Bill 1523.
Elizabeth
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