Organ Donation Bill

Since Melrose resident Laura Linehan tragically lost her life waiting for a liver transplant, Representative Clark has worked with the organization DonateLife to pass a law to raise awareness about organ donation.  On Thursday, July 29, Governor Patrick signed Laura’s Law, which in conjunction with a similar bill filed in the Senate, has become An Act Establishing an Organ and Tissue Donor Registration Fund.  Because of Representative Clark and the dedicated volunteers of DonateLife, the Registry of Motor Vehicles has created a place on their website for Massachusetts residents to register as an organ donor.  In addition, a fund for supporting organ donation has been set up to accept private and public donations, and the Department of Public Health will kick up its efforts to increase awareness of organ donation.

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Autism Insurance Bill

On Tuesday, August 3, Governor Patrick signed An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism, which Representative Clark co-sponsored.  The bill seeks to provide children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders with more insurance-covered tests and therapies.  With the help of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM ), Representative Clark and her colleagues unanimously passed this long-awaited legislation.

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Funding for the Steele House

Representative Clark recently secured funding for the Steele House, a senior public housing building in Melrose.  Representative Clark worked with the Steele House Tenants Association Executive Board to replace the roof of the building, which is currently laden with asbestos.

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Grant Helps School Build Center for the Performing Arts (CPA)

Galvin Middle School in Wakefield is receiving a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to help finish the CPA.  Representative Clark, who represents Wakefield, partnered with the MSBA to push for the grant.  In a statement about the new Center, the Representative said, “these projects will provide our students with great educational opportunities and will attract families and business to Wakefield.”  Representative Clark was formerly a member of the School Committee in Melrose and has remained committed to public education throughout her term as State Representative.

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