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Beacon Hill lawmakers were in the process of advancing legislation Friday that would eliminate religious vaccination exemptions for children entering public, private, or charter K-12 schools.
The measure was among six bills the Legislature’s Public Health Committee was in line to stamp its approval on and ship to the House for consideration during a stretch of time when legislators typically do not take up controversial legislation, according to an email sent to committee members that was obtained by the Herald.
The two Democratic chairs of the committee, Sen. Julian Cyr of Provincetown and Rep. Marjorie Decker of Cambridge, recommended lawmakers on the panel give the measure a favorable report, the email said.
The bill would still need to clear both the House and Senate and earn the signature of Gov. Maura Healey to become law. The two-year session covering 2023 and 2024 ends later this month.
Rep. Andy Vargas, a Haverhill Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, did not provide a comment when contacted by the Herald.
But at a July 2023 legislative hearing, Vargas said there has been a “rapid rise” in the use of religious exemptions since the 1980s while religious affiliation has been on a “downward trend.”
“So you could say the spirit of the law is being violated,” he said. “… Evidence from other states shows that removing religious exemptions increases vaccination rates without impacting school attendance.”
State law requires parents or guardians of children being admitted to schools to submit a physician’s certificate showing the child has been successfully immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, and poliomyelitis, among other communicable diseases.
A child can be exempted from the requirement if a physician determines their health would be endangered by the vaccinations or a parent or guardian states in writing that vaccinations or immunizations conflict with their “ sincere religious beliefs,” according to state law.
The bill would eliminate the religious option.
The legislation also requires the Department of Public Health to issue a public report each year on the total number of students who have been immunized and students who have received a medical exemption.
The proposal drew criticism from one state lawmaker.
Rep. Marc Lombardo, a Billerica Republican, said religious exemptions for school-aged children are a “longstanding” option available to residents of Massachusetts.
“We don’t force people based on religious beliefs to have to take certain actions at the penalty of not being allowed in a K through 12 private or public institution,” he told the Herald. “Religious freedom is a foundation of our nation and here in Massachusetts, we’re going to trample on that because left-wing activists believe they know better than individuals when it comes to their medical situations?”
At the July 2023 hearing, Vargas said his bill is constitutional.
“The Supreme Court of the United States has already decided and reaffirmed that mandatory vaccination laws are constitutional,” he said. “… Our neighboring states have removed the religious exemption. I hope we can here in Massachusetts as well.”
The Public Health Committee was also in the process of moving three other bills related to vaccines and “community immunity” and two measures covering a “coordinated stroke care system,” according to the email to committee members.
BOSTON, MA — An international restaurant group with locations across the globe is preparing to open its first Massachusetts restaurant this year.
LPM Restaurant & Bar, a French Riviera-inspired restaurant founded in London, is set to open on the second floor of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street in Back Bay, according to Four Seasons. The hotel lists the restaurant as “Opening Summer 2026,” while the Boston Business Journal reported the restaurant plans to open in September.
The Boston restaurant will mark LPM’s debut in the Northeast and its third U.S. outpost, following locations in Miami and Las Vegas, according to a Four Seasons announcement.
LPM, also known as La Petite Maison, was founded in London in 2007 and is known for French-Mediterranean food, Mediterranean ingredients and dining rooms influenced by Belle Époque design.
The business operates locations in London, Dubai, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Riyadh, Limassol, Doha, Mykonos, Kuwait, Boston, Maldives and Bangkok.
Four Seasons said LPM will take over the space that formerly housed One Dalton’s breakfast concept, One + One. The restaurant will join other dining options at the hotel, including Zuma and Trifecta.
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A Massachusetts high school is under investigation after “several” teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions.
The state Department of Public Health is set to visit Uxbridge High School on Thursday to “conduct a series of air quality tests,” to determine whether the multiple cases are potentially connected.
Superintendent David Ljungberg and Principal Michael Rubin alerted families and district staff on Monday of the “sombering news,” after Uxbridge High School’s graduation over the weekend.
“We are writing to inform you about a concern we are investigating at Uxbridge High School,” Ljungberg and Rubin stated in the letter. “Several female teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions over the past few years.”
“It is, of course, possible that these multiple cases are not connected to one another,” the leaders added, “but out of abundance of caution, we are looking into any environmental factors at the school that may be a factor in their diagnoses.”
The 123,000-square-foot school, with an enrollment of roughly 600, was constructed in 2012 at a cost of $45 million, including a $22-million state reimbursement.
Uxbridge school leaders say they notified the state Department of Health and local health board as soon as they became aware of the cases, seeking “counsel about how best to proceed.”
“Massachusetts DPH officials have indicated that there is no evidence of immediate danger in the building and no reason to limit access to or use of the facility at this time,” they wrote in their letter. “In fact, the public health officials have commended our decision to approach them with these concerns, our readiness to partner with them in support of the evaluation process.”
Health officials are assessing the school’s interior and exterior to “ensure there are no issues with the infrastructure that would present risks (including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and other systems)” and the indoor and outdoor air quality on campus.
The superintendent and principal said that state officials have ruled out water supply as a “risk factor” after “thorough testing.”
“The team has reached out to the women who have been diagnosed, requesting data to evaluate whether there may be a connection among their cases,” Ljungberg and Rubin wrote. “We are grateful for their cooperation.”
They added that the state has said discovering an environmental “smoking gun” is “rare” in workplace investigations.
“However, even if a direct causal link is not established,” the leaders wrote, “the administration is utilizing this process to rigorously test the building and guarantee that it meets all safety standards moving forward.”
Local News
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow cities and towns to temporarily extend bar and restaurant hours during the summer, as the state prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The legislation (H.5465) filed by state Rep. Carole Fiola, would allow licensed establishments to sell alcohol one hour later than their normal closing time, up to 3 a.m., between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. The bill would also allow communities to establish designated public consumption districts where alcohol could be consumed in approved public spaces.
In a press release announcing the bill, Fiola said the summer’s threefold events lineup — the World Cup, Tall Ships, and July 4th — is an economically significant moment that the state should take advantage of.
“We should capitalize on these events that will generate economic benefits for small businesses and the state as a whole. It’s a local opt-in idea worth exploring that’s being done in other states,” Fiola said.
The proposal has received support from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and most recently Gov. Maura Healey, who submitted written testimony Monday to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies urging lawmakers to advance the measure.
“Massachusetts is planning for a once-in-a-generation summer,” Healey wrote, according to the Boston Globe. “In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, welcome tall ships from around the world to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston, and host seven FIFA World Cup matches in Foxborough, along with watch parties across the Commonwealth.”
The governor argued that the added flexibility could help local economies benefit from an influx of visitors.
“That flexibility can help communities capture more visitor spending, support jobs, keep downtowns active, and strengthen Massachusetts’ image as a dynamic destination ready to host the world and a place our residents, including our young professionals, are proud to call home,” Healey wrote.
She also urged lawmakers to move the legislation forward, saying it will “help Massachusetts meet the full economic and cultural opportunities for the summer ahead.”
In Rhode Island, a similar bill to allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup was signed into law on Friday.
Fiola’s bill remains before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Any final version would require approval from both the House and Senate before reaching Healey’s desk.
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