WESTFIELD — State Sen. John Velis maintained his leadership status on two committees for the state’s next legislative session.
Among the Senate committee leadership appointments announced by Senate President Karen Spilka last week was the Westfield Democrat’s reappointment as the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery as well as the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs.
“I am truly honored to continue to lead these two committees again and build upon all that we accomplished last session,” Velis said in a recent written statement reacting to the appointments. “Any time you are able to get a bill signed into law is a special thing, and I am proud that both these committees sent comprehensive legislation to the governor’s desk last session that improve the lives of our commonwealth’s veterans and expands programs for those struggling with addiction. There is still plenty more to accomplish in these spaces and I am ready to get to work and build-upon last session’s momentum.”
Looking back at the 2023-23 legislative cycle in a previous conversation with Reminder Publishing and The Westfield News, Velis highlighted two bills that were passed that made the previous legislative session “phenomenal.” Those two bills were the HERO Act and Addiction and Substance Use Disorder bill.
The HERO Act, formally known as An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans, is a comprehensive and expansive legislative package dedicated to the welfare of veterans in Massachusetts. Since its filing, additional provisions have been added by the Senate and House to create over 30 provisions, including spending, policy initiatives, tax credits and statute changes, organized into four categories.
Senator John C. Velis delivered letters from local students in the Hampden and Hampshire District to residents at the Veterans’ Home in Holyoke in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Velis has organized this initiative with over 20 different schools from Westfield, Agawam, West Springfield, and other communities participating. (SUBMITTED / THE WESTFIELD NEWS)The Westfield News
An Act Relative to Treatments and Coverage for Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure, recently signed by Gov. Maura Healey, expands access to overdose reversal drugs, establishes licensure for recovery coaches and limits legal liability for drug users and harm reduction workers who use drug-testing equipment.
In addition to his appointments as Senate chair of these two committees, Velis will also retain his position as vice chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, formerly known as the Elder Affairs Committee, a committee on which state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) is the House of Representative’s ranking minority member.
Velis will also be a member of the the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security, the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets, and the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Velis was not immediately available for additional comment.
