Technology

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1242: An Act to protect the privacy of 911 callers

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1156) of Jason M. Lewis, Brian W. Murray, James K. Hawkins, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to protect the privacy of 911 callers. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects 911 caller privacy, directly aligning with data privacy protections under technology policy indicators.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2206: An Act regarding information governance

SD 2206 requires all state agencies and municipalities to create and maintain an "information governance plan" (IG plan) for managing all documents and data, regardless of format or whether they are public records. The IG plan must include protocols for storage, naming, privacy, security, routine disposal, halting disposal when needed, and data sharing. These plans must comply with the state's official records retention schedule and be made public, with legally protected portions (like those covered by attorney-client privilege) redacted. The Attorney General enforces this requirement, which standardizes document management across state and local government entities.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires privacy/security protocols in data management plans, directly advancing data privacy and cybersecurity standards for state agencies.85% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 382: An Act relative to intergenerational community engagement

HD 382 establishes a statewide "community connect program" in Massachusetts to connect younger volunteers (including students and working adults) with seniors. The bill requires the Department of Elder Affairs to create senior resources centers in senior living facilities and community centers, offering health screenings, mental health counseling, legal aid, and workshops on financial literacy and technology. Volunteers assisting seniors with tech skills, errands, or companionship can earn community service credits (for students), and the program includes recognition awards for outstanding volunteers. The law takes effect one year after passage and directly affects seniors seeking support and volunteers aged 18+ participating in the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates senior centers offering health screenings and mental health counseling, directly advancing healthcare access for seniors through public services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill includes tech skills workshops for seniors to promote digital literacy and equity, directly aligning with digital equity support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1832: An Act modernizing microphotographic recording of documents

HD 1832 amends a statute by removing the phrase "microphotographic process" and requiring that documents be recorded in a format approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This change updates the legal requirement for document recording, allowing government offices like land registries to use modern digital formats instead of outdated microphotographic methods. The bill directly affects entities responsible for official document recording by making the process adaptable to current technology. It does not specify particular formats but delegates approval authority to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill replaces outdated microphotography with approved digital formats, enabling modern document recording technology adoption.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 939: An Act to protect democracy

This bill protects Massachusetts election workers by making it illegal to harass, threaten, or share their personal details online if it risks their safety. It defines election workers broadly - including part-time, unpaid, or contracted staff - and prohibits sharing home addresses, phone numbers, photos, or vehicle details that could lead to threats against them or their family members living in the same household. Violations carry fines up to $25,000 or up to 10 years in prison for repeat offenses. The law specifically targets conduct during election duties and online communications that create imminent safety threats.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects election workers (a subset of employees) from harassment and threats by prohibiting sharing personal details, directly advancing workplace safety and workers' rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits sharing personal details online that could endanger election workers, directly protecting data privacy and preventing digital misuse of personal information.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2263: An Act clarifying the rights of fiduciaries to access digital assets

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1110) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to uniform fiduciary access to digital assets. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies fiduciary access to digital assets, strengthening data privacy by establishing legal pathways for authorized access without unauthorized breaches.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2488: An Act facilitating distributed energy resources in the commonwealth

This bill requires Massachusetts municipalities with over 5,000 residents to implement an automated "Smart Residential Solar Permitting Platform" by July 2027 for home solar installations. The platform must allow online applications, automatic code-compliant approvals within 10 business days (if no deficiencies are found), instant permit issuance, and eliminate manual reviews for residential systems under 200-amp capacity. It directly affects local governments and homeowners installing solar on single- or two-family homes, including systems with battery storage or panel upgrades. The law mandates that platforms process at least 75% of residential solar permits and requires annual reporting to track compliance.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates streamlined solar permitting to accelerate residential solar adoption, directly advancing renewable energy deployment and reducing installation barriers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates automated tech platform for solar permitting, advancing tech-driven efficiency in government processes per bill's requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SD 2728: FY2025 Massachusetts Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Pipeline Fund Transfer Schedule

Report of the Office of the Comptroller (pursuant to Section 2E of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its FY2025 Massachusetts Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Pipeline Fund Transfer Schedule

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funds through the STEM Pipeline Fund, directly supporting technology education and infrastructure as specified in its title and purpose.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2261: An Act relative to license transparency

HD 2261 requires the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to share license holder information with city or town clerks when verifying voter identity and eligibility, and with state law enforcement agencies during investigations. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the attorney general's regulations must include this specific requirement for data sharing. This change directly affects the RMV's procedures, making it necessary to provide license details upon request for these two purposes. The policy does not alter driver's license issuance but specifies when the RMV must share existing license data with election officials and law enforcement.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates sharing personal license data with government agencies, weakening privacy protections by requiring disclosure without specified safeguards.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1337: An Act relative to online posting of CMRs

This bill requires all Massachusetts Executive branch agencies to post every Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) on their official websites, with updates due by June 30 each year. It directly affects state agencies by mandating online public access to all their regulations, replacing previous methods of distribution. The key provision is the annual update requirement, ensuring regulations remain current and publicly available without relying on physical copies or other channels. The law takes effect on July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates online posting of regulations, increasing public internet access to government information, aligning with internet access as a technology policy.85% confidence

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