Tarr Talk
A Massachusetts Republican State Senator providing his perspective of state government.
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Medical Lifeline for Underage Drinkers

Too often fear of getting in trouble can cause underage drinkers in need of emergency assistance to not seek help when medical attention is vital. I have introduced legislation to create a lifeline bill which will give young people the incentive to make the right choice and call 911. The bill provides immunity from prosecution of possession and consumption of alcohol charges if a person under 21 calls for help, stays with the victim, and cooperates with safety officials. Here is NBC Boston's most recent report on the bill.

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Too Scared To Call

Today, I proposed the Lifeline Medical Amnesty for Persons Under Age 21, a bill which will give legal shelter to youth who contact 911 when an alcohol overdose occurs and a life is at risk. 35 other states have adopted similar measures. NBC Boston reporter Karen Hensel talked with me this afternoon about this important issue.

Underage drinking is a serious problem that impacts many families in our state. 35% of youth between the ages of 18 to 20 self-reported having consumed 5 or more drinks in a row within a 30 day period of a recent study. Sadly, emergency medical situations can quickly arise leading to dangerous decisions and serious harm.

The fear of seeking help should be replaced with the knowledge that a call to 911 will be answered by professionals trained in health emergency situations under the provisions of my bill. If a 911 caller, or other underage person trying to help, remains with the victim and cooperates with public safety professionals when help arrives they would not be prosecuted for possession of alcohol pursuant to the bill.

We should do everything we can to confront the issue of underage alcohol abuse and promote prevention efforts, and the bill I proposed today is only one tool to try to do just that.

You can watch Karen Hensel’s first news report on this problem below. Check her upcoming report to see our conversation about why I filed this legislation.

http://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/Mass-One-of-15-States-Without-Lifesaving-Medical-Amnesty-Law-410985605.html

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Tarr Order Seeking Greater Citizen Engagement With Lawmaking Process Adopted by Senate

Today, the Senate adopted my order to create a special committee to examine citizen engagement in the legislative process. Senate Bill 7 is only the second legislative order of the new 2017 session approved by the Senate.

Responsive and effective government depends on good communication with people in our state, and that, in turn depends on them having ready access to the operations and discussions of the Legislature. The adoption of this order signals our intention to continuing to advance the goal of an open and interactive legislative process.

Senate President Stan Rosenberg agrees, he said “This is an important initiative for transparency and civic engagement. Internet access and live-streaming is good but television would be better."

The Senate Majority and I will serve as co-chairs with three additional members appointed by the Senate President Stan Rosenberg and two other members appointed by me.

The special committee of seven members of the Senate will examine:

• Options for Web-streaming and televised broadcasting of Senate sessions,

• Remote access and participation by the public, and

• Standards for electronic social media use by members.

Technology and communication in the world around us are changing and its important that the Senate identify and embrace the new tools that may be responsibly used to foster public discussion, and disseminate and collect information. The committee established in this order will serve an important function by finding the best paths for our body to capture new opportunities to fulfill a mission that we have long shared collectively.

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Minority Leader of the Senate

Yesterday, I was re-elected at the State House by his Republican colleagues to serve a fourth term as Minority Leader of the Massachusetts State Senate.

I am humbled and honored by the trust that has been placed in me by my colleagues and the voters of the First Essex and Middlesex District in returning me to serve again in the Senate as Minority Leader.

Governor Charlie Baker administered the oath of office to the 40 member Senate for the start of the two-year term.

I look forward to joining my colleagues in continuing our efforts to pursue a responsive and responsible government for our constituents. Senate Republicans are committed to never missing an opportunity to find common ground. We believe it is essential to bring principled and reasoned arguments forward as the framers of our government intended, and to take on the complex challenges that our state faces respectfully with a purpose of solving problems and not ignoring them.

I also want to say a particular word of thanks to Olivia Tsetsilas, who I invited to sang our National Anthem. I first meet Olivia when she sang for my annual toy drive.

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