Senate, October 9, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to advance the profession of commercial interior design, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2620).
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2579) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joan B. Lovely and James J. O'Day for legislation to ban the use of DEHP, a plasticizer found in IV bags and tubing, due to concerns about its potential health risks. Public Health.
By Representative Whipps of Athol and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susannah M. Whipps relative to the Athol-Royalston Regional School District Financial Stability Fund. Education.
This bill allows the town of Fairhaven to appoint retired Fairhaven police officers (who retired due to superannuation within the last 5 years) as special police officers. To qualify, retirees must pass a medical exam (paid by the officer), cannot be over 70, and must maintain certification under state training rules. Special officers are exempt from certain laws covering regular police officers, such as age limits for regular officers and specific benefit provisions, but they must follow training requirements. Their appointments are indefinite but can be terminated by the chief of police with 14 days' notice or upon reaching age 70.
Senate, May 28, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2680) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to improve public health and safety standards in communities around aging nuclear power plants and high-level nuclear waste dump sites, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3074).
Senate, May 28, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2681) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to establish safety standards for BMX bicycle and motorcross tracks, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3075).
This bill allows the Town of Westford and its public schools to publish legal notices in digital formats rather than exclusively in print newspapers. The town can fulfill publication requirements by posting notices on newspaper websites, digital news platforms, statewide repositories, or a town-specific website. This legislation does not alter the existing timeframes for when these notices must be published. The provisions become effective immediately upon the bill's passage.
This bill authorizes the City of Boston to grant a highway easement over approximately 3,654 square feet of Joslin Park to facilitate construction of a new cancer hospital and related roadway improvements. In exchange, the city will abandon its easement rights over several portions of public streets totaling about 5,000 square feet and receive those same areas from the property owner as land for public park use. The transferred land will be managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission for public recreational purposes, while the property owner retains subsurface utility rights. The bill ensures that the total land area given to the park department is at least equal to the park land being used for the hospital project, maintaining compliance with state constitutional requirements for public land preservation.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3021) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to update Massachusetts student transportation. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of David M. Rogers relative to prohibiting genetic discrimination in insurance. Financial Services.
HD 3250, titled "An Act ensuring access to medical records," prohibits healthcare entities from charging separate fees for transmitting patient electronic medical records. This applies specifically when data transmission is needed for coverage, payment, care coordination, or health care quality improvement efforts. The bill directly affects hospitals, insurers, and other healthcare providers handling electronic health records. It creates a concrete policy change by banning additional charges for this standard administrative function, improving access to records without cost barriers.
This bill requires Massachusetts courts to deny or terminate alimony payments to spouses convicted of spousal abuse. It directly protects survivors of abuse (who no longer face alimony obligations from abusive partners) and removes alimony eligibility for abusive spouses. Key provisions mandate courts to automatically refuse alimony in new cases involving abuse convictions and end existing alimony payments if a spouse later receives such a conviction. The law also allows former alimony payers to petition courts to terminate ongoing payments to abusive spouses.
