Legislative & Consumer Affairs

2024 Legislative Update from MCA Legislative Agent Guy W. Glodis

Greetings to the Membership of the Massachusetts Cemetery Association:

The Massachusetts Cemetery Association had one of its most successful legislative and lobbying sessions to date. The legislative session started last year with a round of legislative meetings at the State House pertaining to Alkaline Hydrolysis, specifically HB2193 “an Act Expanding After-Death Care Options”. After meeting with the legislative sponsors of the bill, the MCA was successfully in redrafting language of the original bill, ensuring Alkaline Hydrolysis would fall under the auspicious and jurisdiction of Massachusetts Cemeteries. The MCA is continuing to work with the sponsors of that bill, along with the Joint Committee on Public Health, to ensure cemeteries are protected and promoted in any legislation moving forward.

The MCA was successful at halting “all” legislation that would be detrimental to our industry. The MCA legislative Committee led by its Chairman Tom Daly “red flagged” several bills of concern at the start of the legislative session including; SB1310 “An Act to Preserve the Eternal Bonds between People and their Animals”, HB2206 “An Act to Permit the Scattering of Unclaimed Cremated Remains at Sea”, and HB1470 “An Act Designating Right of Disposition”. These bills including other “red flagged” were sent to “Study”, and concluded without further action, within the second year of the legislative session. I continue to attend all hearings at the State House relevant to MCA related bills, and continuously meet with legislative leadership educating legislators regarding the MCA legislative agenda.

In addition, the MCA sponsored its first ever “Legislative Round Table” in 2024. This legislative roundtable was held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, and was designed to better educate MCA members about pending legislation, the legislative process including the drafting, filing, monitoring and enacting legislation in Massachusetts. There was also group discussions and presentations about Natural Burial, After Death Care Options and new ideas about future legislation that would be advantageous for our membership in Massachusetts.

Newly elected MCA President Alan Mackinnon attended and sponsored a reception for Ways & Means Senator Michael Rodrigues, last month in Yarmouth. President MacKinnon was able to meet with Senator Rodrigues, along with several other legislators, to better discuss, inform and highlight the needs and concerns of the Massachusetts Cemetery Association moving forward.

In conclusion, I would strongly recommend all members of the MCA contact their individual legislators, and develop a professional relationship with their legislator. MCA members play a vital role in their communities, and almost all legislators have questions or need information at some point, regarding after death and burial options/information for their constituencies.  In the meantime, if anyone has any questions or concerns on the legislative front, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 508-479-4520 or email me at; Guywglodis@gmail.com.

All the best,

Guy W. Glodis

MCA Legislative Agent