#2022-3 January 21, 2022

House Bill Provides $55 Million for COVID Testing, Masks

Earlier this week, House and Senate Democrats prepared a bill that dedicates $55 million to COVID-19 testing, youth vaccination and school mask supplies, along with scheduling this year’s state primary for September 6.  The legislation, which Ways and Means Committee chairs Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) and Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) said was as an effort “to address the urgent challenges brought upon us due to the Omicron surge and boost our ongoing COVID-19 response,” earned initial House approval on Tuesday after it emerged from House Ways and Means Committee and is expected to be sent to Governor Baker’s desk next week.

The legislation is gaining traction amidst a sharp surge in mid-winter COVID-19 infections that has left long lines at testing sites throughout the state.  The bill (H 4345) appropriates $30 million to establish and expand COVID testing sites, with at least $5 million dedicated to expanding vaccination rates among children ages 5 to 11.  The youth vaccination efforts would be focused on communities disproportionately affected by the virus.  Another $25 million would go towards “the acquisition and distribution of high-quality personal protective masks for children and faculty in elementary and secondary public school districts.”

Under the bill, the Baker administration is directed to create a public website with information on the number of masks purchased and distributed to school districts and information on the purchase and distribution of rapid COVID-19 tests.  The bill also extends some of the policies originally adopted in 2020 to reflect realities of the pandemic era.  The authorization for remote public meetings, set to lapse on April 1, 2022, along with the notarization and reverse-mortgage counseling provisions will be extended through July 15.

In a non-COVID related but time-sensitive matter, the bill schedules the 2022 primary election for September 6, instead of the September 20 date that would otherwise be called for under state law.

To view the proposed COVID 19 bill, click here.

Division of Banks to Host HMDA Compliance Webinar

The Division of Banks, via its DOB Connects webcast portal, will be hosting a webinar on Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Compliance: Top Regulatory Findings and Best Practices from State Examiners, on February 3rd at 1:00 PM.

Supervisory Bank Examiner, Nelia Sales, and Bank Examiner, Chris Williams will be discussing HMDA examination findings; best practices for HMDA compliance programs; and other important guidance for compliance and management personnel at financial institutions.

To register and submit topic-related questions when you register for this event, click here.

State Unemployment Rate Drops Below 4 Percent

The Massachusetts unemployment rate in December dropped beneath 4 percent and state officials on Friday said employers have added back 537,000 jobs since employment levels hit their lowest point in April 2020.  According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, December’s 3.9 percent jobless rate matched the national rate and was more than a point higher than the December 2020 state rate of 2.8 percent.  

State officials said employers added 20,100 jobs in December, building on the 14,200 added in November. The 1.3 percentage point monthly drop in the state unemployment rate is based on a revised November estimate of 5.2 percent -- state officials had originally reported that November’s unemployment rate was 5.4 percent.