Representative Steven Ultrino Appointed as Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management

BOSTON (March 3, 2025) – Last Wednesday, House Speaker Ron Mariano (D – Quincy) appointed State Representative Steven Ultrino (D – Malden) as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management for the 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Representative Estela Reyes (D – Lawrence) will join the committee as the newly appointed Vice Chair. The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management presides over all legislation related to pandemic and disaster preparedness and emergency management and communication.  

The Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management serves as an oversight and advisory committee to monitor and investigate issues related to emergency response and recovery. The committee makes recommendations for legislative actions, strategies, and innovations based on their review or information or on the findings of investigations to equitably address emergency response needs and the safe recovery for all residents of the Commonwealth.  

As House Chair, Representative Ultrino will work to strengthen the state’s emergency response systems to ensure that the Commonwealth is prepared to face any challenges that may arise. Representative Ultrino will support efforts that ensure emergency services are equipped to respond effectively and efficiently when needed, as well as advocating for resources that will help bolster the state’s preparedness capabilities. He is dedicated to fostering collaboration among legislators, local agencies, and community organizations to improve collective emergency preparedness. Ensuring that all residents have access to the information and resources needed in times of crisis will remain a priority.  

“I am honored to be appointed as Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management. Thank you to Speaker Ron Mariano for this opportunity to work on crucial legislation to strengthen our Commonwealth’s emergency response systems,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino “This position is one that comes with a great sense of responsibility, and I am committed to ensuring that our state is better equipped to respond to any emergency, whether it be a natural disaster, public health crisis, or other unforeseen events. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, experts in the field, and the communities we serve to develop comprehensive solutions to the challenges we face in emergency preparedness and management.” 

Please contact the Office of Representative Steven Ultrino at (617)722-2070, or email Representative Ultrino (Steven.Ultrino@MAHouse.gov) or his legislative aide Hannah Li (Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov) with any further questions.  

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Announces $35,000 State Grant to Purchase Safety Equipment for the Malden Fire Department

BOSTON (February 5, 2025) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that the Malden Fire Department will be receiving a $35,000 state grant to purchase new safety equipment to protect their firefighters through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.

Fire departments across Massachusetts are able to utilize this program to purchase a wide variety of eligible equipment, including thermal and ballistic protective clothing, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and much more.

“Our brave firefighters risk health hazards posed by smoke and other fire byproducts to protect our lives and property,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “We owe it to them to ensure that they have all necessary safety equipment, and this grant will help do so.”

“Congratulations to the Malden Fire Department for being awarded a state grant to purchase new safety equipment,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “This funding will ensure our first responders have the best tools to protect themselves and our community. Thank you to all of our brave firefighters for their commitment to keeping Malden safe.”

“This investment will provide our firefighters with the tools they need to respond to emergencies with greater protection and efficiency,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This funding is a vital step in ensuring the safety and well-being of both our first responders and the community they serve.”

“I am pleased to see both Malden and Wakefield Fire Departments receive this competitive state grant for safety gear,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “This grant funding will enable fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer through things such as protective gear, radios, and rescue equipment. This program serves as a comprehensive approach to mitigating modern firefighter health and safety risks.”

“With this grant we will be able to outfit our Malden Firefighters with bail out bags and belts. These bail out bags and belts will help firefighters escape an unforeseen catastrophe on an upper floor of any building. They basically give firefighters an emergency exit out a window on upper floors. They will be a valuable addition,” said Malden Fire Chief Stephen J. Froio. “Other purchases include chainsaws for ventilation and scene lighting for night operations. All of this equipment will be valuable for firefighter safety in many incidents. Again, thank you for the grant funding, without it we would not be able to purchase this life saving equipment.”

The Firefighter Safety Grant Program is funded by the Massachusetts Legislature.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Applauds Passage of Healthcare Quality Oversight Bill

BOSTON (January 22, 2025) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass urgent reforms to the Commonwealth’s healthcare system to boost oversight and transparency in the market and improve patient access to quality, affordable treatment.

This new law closes loopholes in the healthcare market regulatory process exposed by the collapse of Steward Health Care, increases financial transparency of hospitals and other providers, and will help ensure a more stable and sustainable healthcare system in Massachusetts.

“Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare should be a basic human right, but unfortunately some healthcare providers like Steward have put profits ahead of patients and engaged in greed and mismanagement,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “The reforms contained in this important legislation will help prevent this from happening again, thereby protecting patients and access to care.”

“With the passage of the Healthcare Quality Oversight Bill, we ensure that every Massachusetts resident has access to high quality, patient-centered care,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “This bill will strengthen transparency and accountability in the healthcare sector. I am proud to have been part of this effort.”

“With the passage of this bill, we are pushing in a new era of accountability and transparency in our healthcare system,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This is a crucial step in putting patients first and reaffirming our commitment to patient safety and quality healthcare.”

“Provisions of this legislation include reforms to improve the long-term sustainability of vital community health centers like Melrose Wakefield Hospital, which serves as a bedrock in the 32nd Middlesex District,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “The bill further takes important steps toward transparency, accountability, and accessibility regarding the provision of care at our hospitals and health care facilities across the Commonwealth.”

Key provisions of this legislation include:

● Expanding state oversight of hospitals and registered provider organizations (RPOs), including significant private equity investors.

● Increasing penalties for not complying with data reporting requirements.

● Requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH) to hold a public hearing prior to any hospital or essential health service closure, and authorizing DPH to seek an impact analysis of a hospital or essential service closure.

● Expanding the Attorney General’s authority to monitor healthcare trends and enforce the False Claims Act by allowing her office to seek information from significant equity investors, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and management services organizations (MSOs), and to hold entities with an ownership or controlling interest in a provider organization liable if they are aware of false claims submitted to the government.

● Ensuring adequate warning before medical equipment can be repossessed.

● Increasing financial transparency by expanding the authority of state agencies to monitor hospital financial conditions, including investments and information on any relationships with significant private equity investors, healthcare REITs, and MSOs.

● Expanding the scope of the annual healthcare cost trends hearings held by the Health Policy Commission (HPC).

● Establishing a new Office of Health Resource Planning within the HPC to produce a state health plan with a forecast of anticipated demand, supply, and distribution of healthcare resources on a statewide and regional basis.

● Improving access to primary care by establishing a task force to study and make recommendations for improving primary care access, delivery, and financial stability.

After final passage in the House of Representatives and Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on January 8, 2025.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov