Massachusetts Bills

Senate, November , 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 933) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative to the rights of faculty members at the University of Massachusetts, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2703).

This bill requires all licensed child care programs and public schools in Massachusetts to undergo regular radon testing. The Department of Public Health must create public regulations within one year covering testing schedules, acceptable radon levels, documentation, and mitigation plans for unsafe levels. These regulations will apply to all facilities under the Department of Early Education and Care's licensing. The bill does not specify funding but requires the department to develop the rules using existing appropriations.

Senate, November 13, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 919) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to modernize the endowment match program for community colleges; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 935) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to reform institutional eligibility requirements for state-based financial aid; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 936) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation relative to the endowment match program; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 948) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to the endowment match program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2702).

H 4653 prevents public colleges and universities (defined in Chapter 15A) from being required to release student education records covered by FERPA, including records labeled as "directory information." The bill directly affects these institutions by exempting them from producing such records upon request, though it does not restrict government agencies (federal, state, or local) from accessing them under existing law. Key provisions clarify that institutions cannot be compelled to share these specific student records, reinforcing privacy protections. The bill focuses solely on record-sharing requirements, not broader education policy.

This bill requires nuclear power facilities in Massachusetts that store spent nuclear fuel in dry casks to report real-time temperature, helium release, and radiation levels to the Department of Public Health. It directly affects facility operators (like those at the Pilgrim plant) and mandates the Department of Public Health to create rules for this reporting. Additionally, the bill requires nuclear plant licensees to fully fund offsite emergency response costs after plant closure until all spent fuel is moved from pools to dry casks, prohibiting use of decommissioning trust funds for this purpose. These provisions aim to enhance monitoring and financial responsibility for spent fuel management.

Senate, November 13, 2025 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to the occupational therapist interstate licensure compact, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2672).

Senate, November 13, 2025 - Text of the Senate amendment (Senator Tarr) to the House Bill amending the charter of the town of Ipswich to eliminate the residency requirement for the town manager (House, No. 4243).

Senate, November 13, 2025 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 621) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to reduce solid waste, increase recycling and generate municipal cost savings, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2685).

Communication of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (pursuant to Section 74 of Chapter 3 of the General Laws) as of November 14, 2025, the DPPC’s designee will be Victoria R. Gill, Director of Learning and Development

Order relative to authorizing the committee on Consumer Protection to make an investigation and study of certain House documents relative to professional licensure matters.

Shenate, November 10, 2025 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 291) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to vehicle recalls, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).