Technology

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3037: An Act relative to efficient access to the affordable connectivity program

This bill requires internet service providers (ISPs) to maintain uninterrupted service for households already using their service when those households begin receiving benefits through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). It directly affects existing ISP customers who qualify for ACP benefits, ensuring their service continues without disruption. The bill mandates that ISPs must not delay or interrupt service for these households, and the state department will create regulations to implement and enforce this requirement. The policy change focuses on preventing service interruptions for low-income households already connected to an ISP.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnsures uninterrupted ISP service for ACP beneficiaries, expanding internet access for low-income households90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3153: An Act protecting transportation network driver data privacy and integrity

HD 3153 protects transportation network drivers' (like Uber or Lyft drivers) personal data by making their records confidential and non-public. It requires companies to share only necessary driver data with driver organizations during bargaining, while mandating strong security measures like encryption and access controls. The law explicitly prohibits sharing driver data with immigration enforcement agencies without a court order. The state board must create detailed regulations by 2025 covering data minimization, breach protocols, and driver consent options.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly prohibits sharing driver data with immigration enforcement without court order, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly protects driver data privacy through confidentiality requirements, mandatory security measures, and prohibits unauthorized sharing with immigration, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3108: An Act relative to the use of mobile devices in public school districts

HD 3108 restricts students in public school districts from using mobile devices (including cellphones, smart watches, and tablets) during school hours, with exceptions for safety emergencies, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), English learner needs, or medical requirements. School districts must create written policies allowing device use only in these specific situations or for other reasonable exceptions that don’t disrupt learning. The state education department will develop model policies and a grant program to help schools purchase equipment like secure storage containers for devices. The bill requires school districts to implement these policies within 180 days of the law taking effect.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts device use during school hours to prevent learning disruptions, aligning with protecting educational environments per bill's intent.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student mobile device use in schools during instructional time, directly limiting technology access per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3579: An Act limiting tech radiation in anchor institutions

This bill requires Massachusetts anchor institutions (including public schools, government buildings, hospitals, libraries, and public housing) to reduce non-ionizing radiation from wireless technology. It mandates migrating to wired alternatives where feasible, implementing the ALARA safety principle, and providing clear radiation exposure notifications. Public schools must limit Wi-Fi use (especially in elementary schools), prioritize paper-based testing, and integrate age-appropriate education about radiation impacts starting in grade 2, with scientific details from grade 6 onward. The attorney general enforces compliance, and the bill amends education standards to include radiation safety in science curricula.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates reduction of wireless tech use in schools/hospitals, requiring wired alternatives and limiting Wi-Fi - directly restricts technology deployment per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3555: An Act relative to locating missing persons via mobile data (Kelsey's Bill)

HD 3555, or "Kelsey's Bill," requires phone companies and in-vehicle security providers to share a user's location data with law enforcement during emergencies involving missing persons, immediate danger of death or serious harm, or emergency service calls. Phone companies must provide annual contact information to the state's public safety office to streamline these requests. The law protects companies from lawsuits if they share location data in good faith under these specific circumstances. This bill directly affects phone companies and law enforcement agencies by creating a clear, legal process for locating missing persons using mobile data.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates location data sharing with law enforcement in emergencies, weakening privacy protections by enabling access without warrants in specified scenarios.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3788: An Act to protect electronic privacy

This bill (HD 3788) strengthens privacy protections for electronic data by requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before accessing most personal information held by service providers. It directly affects government agencies seeking data from companies offering email, messaging, location services, or remote computing (including both Massachusetts-based and foreign corporations with Massachusetts customers). Key provisions mandate that warrants must specifically describe the data sought, the entity holding it, and justify why less intrusive methods wouldn’t work - especially for "cell site simulators" (devices mimicking cell towers to track phones), which require additional documentation showing alternatives are inadequate. The bill also clarifies definitions like "location information" and "metadata" to ensure consistent application of these privacy standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, strengthening privacy rights and enhancing accountability in criminal investigations per bill's core mandate.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly strengthens electronic data privacy by requiring warrants for law enforcement access to personal information held by service providers, directly protecting user data under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1032: An Act establishing driver privacy protections

HD 1032 establishes privacy protections for drivers by regulating how law enforcement and government agencies collect and use location data from license plate readers and toll systems. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant for most access to this data (with limited emergency exceptions requiring a 48-hour report), prohibits selling or sharing the data, and limits retention to 14 days for license plate data and 120 days for toll data. It also bans using illegally collected data in court proceedings and allows drivers to file civil lawsuits for violations. These rules directly protect drivers from unwarranted surveillance and data misuse by government agencies and private entities collecting vehicle location information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in criminal justice data collection.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates law enforcement data collection from tech systems (license plate readers/toll systems), requiring warrants and prohibiting misuse - directly advancing data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1437: An Act to regulate the use of mobile communication devices in educational institutions

This bill requires all public elementary, secondary, and vocational schools to prohibit student use of smartphones and tablets during instructional hours, mandating that devices be stored in designated areas or lockers. Exceptions include authorized school staff using devices for official purposes, students with documented medical needs (approved by administration), and basic cell phones without internet access for parent communication. Schools must clearly communicate the policy to students and parents, including consequences for violations. The rules take effect at the start of the next academic year following passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts device distractions during instruction to enhance learning focus, directly advancing educational effectiveness in K-12 settings per topic description.92% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student internet access during school hours via device bans, aligning with 'limit internet access' indicator90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Broadband Access

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 309: An Act creating a pilot program to explore digital innovation in government

This bill creates a pilot program to test using blockchain technology for storing real property ownership records in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will work with at least one registry of deeds to implement a backup system that runs parallel to the current system, examining how blockchain can support property records and identifying legal barriers. The program must conclude within one year, followed by a report assessing feasibility and advising on potential full deployment, to be submitted to several state legislative committees. The pilot directly affects property record-keeping systems and the entities managing them, without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates pilot program testing blockchain for government records, directly advancing digital innovation in technology application per title and summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 842: An Act relative to student and educator data privacy

This bill prohibits educational technology operators from using student or educator data for targeted advertising, building profiles for non-educational purposes, or selling personal information. It directly affects companies providing online tools used in K-12 schools (like apps or websites), requiring them to stop collecting and misusing data such as location, biometrics, grades, or online behavior linked to specific students or teachers. Key provisions define "covered information" broadly - including names, addresses, health records, search history, and persistent tracking identifiers - and ban the sale of this data or its use for advertising based on students' online activity. The law applies to all K-12 school-related digital tools, ensuring data collected for educational purposes cannot be repurposed for commercial gain.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits edtech misuse of student/educator data, directly protecting privacy in K-12 education as defined in the topic.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits edtech companies from using student data for ads/profiles/selling, directly protecting data privacy - core SUPPORT indicator for technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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