Senate, July 31, 2024 - New draft (Senator Finegold) to Senate Bill authorizing the town of Tewksbury to convert a certain parcel of land to general recreational purposes (Senate, No. 2819).
Senate, July 30, 2024 - New draft (Senator Finegold) to Senate Bill authorizing the town of Andover to convey a non-exclusive access easement over a certain parcel of land (Senate, No. 2784).
This law allows the town of Brookline to use a specific 1.53-acre section of the Pierce School Playground to install underground geothermal wells. The town must restore and improve the playground area within 12 months after the installation is finished so the public can continue using it for recreation. To compensate for the permanent underground changes, the town must make improvements to the playground that equal or exceed the monetary value of the impact, as determined by the town assessor.
Senate, July 29, 2024 - New draft (Senator Pacheco) to Senate Bill authorizing the release of parcels of land in the town of Raynham from certain restrictions (Senate, No. 2872).
Senate, April 8, 2024 - New draft (Senator Cyr) to Senate Bill authorizing the city known as the town of Barnstable to change the use of a portion of a certain parcel of land within Mother’s Park (Senate, No. 2435).
Senate, July 25, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the city of Westfield (Senate, No. 2393),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2893).
Senate, July 25, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill authorizing the city of New Bedford to grant a utility easement to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. (Senate, No. 2412),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment entitled "An Act authorizing the city of New Bedford to grant a utility easement to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth" (Senate, No. 2894).
This law creates new criminal offenses for medical professionals who commit sexual assault against their patients or clients. It specifically targets situations where a provider uses a false claim that a sexual act is for legitimate medical or treatment purposes to gain consent, which the law treats as invalid. The bill defines "health care provider" broadly to include doctors, nurses, therapists, and other licensed professionals, as well as their employees acting within their job duties. Penalties for these crimes range from up to five years in prison for indecent assault and battery to up to twenty years for rape. By adding these specific crimes to existing statutes, the legislation ensures that sexual misconduct by medical workers is prosecuted under laws tailored to the power imbalance inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
This law updates the rules for direct wine shipper licenses in Massachusetts to allow wineries to sell their own branded wines directly to residents. Under the new provisions, any winery holding a federal permit and a manufacturing license can sell wine directly to adults for personal use, provided the wine is produced by or for the licensee and sold under the winery's own brand name. The bill clarifies that these licensees cannot sell wines made by other producers under their label, ensuring that direct sales remain tied to the specific winery's production.
This law bans the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling animal acts, such as circuses and mobile carnivals, effective January 1, 2025. It prohibits anyone from allowing these animals to perform tricks or participate in entertainment while being transported in vehicles between locations. The ban does not apply to animals that live permanently at a fixed facility, veterinary transport, or film productions that do not involve live public exhibitions. Violations of the new rules can result in civil penalties ranging from $500 to $10,000 per animal involved.
This law allows the Nantucket County government to transfer four specific pieces of land it currently owns to the Town of Nantucket. These parcels are designated for use as a bicycle path and are located along the Washington Street Extension. The transfer can include any necessary restrictions or easements that the town's select board decides are appropriate. The bill also ensures that state laws requiring the state to have a first right to buy this land do not apply to this transaction.
This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to transfer a 28-acre parcel of land in Pittsfield to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield for use as a cemetery. The transfer will occur through a release deed, with the price set at the fair market value agreed upon by both the state agency and the bishop's office. The recipient is responsible for covering all related costs, such as surveys and legal fees, and the land will be given in its current condition without any warranties.
