Rep. Jeff Roy

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts high school students to earn industry-recognized certifications for jobs in high demand, with the goal of improving their future employment prospects. The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will identify these high-value occupations and share the list with school districts, which must make it publicly available online. To encourage participation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide financial awards to school districts when students earn these certifications, with funds used to support instructors and help low-income students cover certification fees. The law also requires the Department to publish an annual report detailing how many students are pursuing these credentials and how the program is progressing.

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of John J. Cronin, Manny Cruz and John Barrett, III for legislation to create and expand student pathways to success; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Paul R. Feeney, Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Susan Williams Gifford and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access, opportunity, and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 297) of Edward J. Kennedy and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 306) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 334) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jeffrey N. Roy and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to establish minimum recycled content requirements for specific plastic products, including trash bags, carry-out bags, beverage containers, and rigid plastic packaging. It directly affects manufacturers and brands that sell these items in the state, requiring them to incorporate a certain percentage of post-consumer recycled material into their products. The legislation defines key terms such as "covered product" and "postconsumer material" to clarify which items must comply and excludes certain materials like compostable plastics. By setting these standards, the bill aims to increase the amount of recycled plastic used in new consumer goods and reduce reliance on virgin plastic production.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a student loan repayment program designed to support human services workers in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees of community-based organizations that receive funding from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The legislation creates a new section in state law to define eligible providers and set up the framework for offering loan repayments to encourage individuals to enter and remain in the human services field. By providing financial assistance for student loans, the bill aims to address workforce stability and recruitment challenges within these essential community programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools in Massachusetts serving students in grades six through twelve to provide free disposable menstrual products, such as tampons and sanitary napkins, in school restrooms. The law mandates that these items be available at no cost to students and must be distributed in a way that avoids stigmatizing anyone who uses them. School districts are authorized to adjust the quantity of products based on usage rates to ensure adequate supply. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on August 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to increase the maximum number of units a public housing authority can own from five to fifty. The change directly affects public housing authorities in the state, allowing them to manage a significantly larger portfolio of housing units. By updating this specific legal limit, the legislation enables these organizations to expand their capacity to provide affordable housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how unemployment insurance costs are calculated for employers in Massachusetts when they hire replacement workers for employees on leave. Specifically, it requires that unemployment benefit charges incurred when a replacement worker is later laid off be paid from the state's solvency fund instead of being added to the employer's experience rating. This change applies only to situations where the original employee returns to their job after taking leave under the state's family and medical leave law. The legislation aims to prevent these specific layoff costs from negatively impacting an employer's future insurance premiums.

Senate, March 4, 2024 -- The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1171) of Paul R. Feeney, Marc R. Pacheco, Jacob R. Oliveira, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation to include offsite fabrication work for qualified projects under the prevailing wage laws of the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1943) of Jeffrey N. Roy and others relative to compliance with prevailing wage laws for offsite fabrication, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2603).