Rep. Michelle DuBois

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to prohibit the advertising of alcohol and marijuana distribution within 5,280 feet of a school zone. The change directly affects businesses and organizations that promote the sale or distribution of these substances near schools. By restricting where such advertisements can appear, the legislation aims to reduce children's exposure to marketing for alcohol and marijuana. The measure does not ban the sale of these products but limits the scope of their promotional efforts in specific areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vocational-technical schools in Massachusetts to use a blind lottery system to select students when there are more qualified applicants than available spots. The process ensures that no personal information is used to favor one student over another, and it creates a waitlist for those not immediately admitted to fill future vacancies. Additionally, the law mandates that the state department of education collect and publicly report data on student demographics, including race, ethnicity, and economic status, to monitor enrollment patterns. These changes directly affect vocational schools and the students applying to them by standardizing how admission decisions are made.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of billboards to advertise non-prescription marijuana in Massachusetts. It amends existing state laws to separate billboard restrictions from rules governing other media like television and radio, which still require that at least 85 percent of the audience be 21 or older. The legislation also mandates that any remaining outdoor advertisements must be conspicuous and restricts access to such advertising spaces to individuals aged 21 and older. These changes directly affect cannabis businesses and media companies by limiting where they can legally place advertisements for recreational marijuana.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all school bus operators in Massachusetts to complete de-escalation training approved by the state Commissioner of Education. The legislation mandates that employers cover the costs associated with this training for their staff. By updating state law, the measure aims to ensure that drivers are equipped with specific techniques to manage challenging situations while transporting students.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a petition to establish a new committee or task force focused on lifting children out of deep poverty in Massachusetts. It does not contain specific policy provisions, funding allocations, or operational mechanisms, as it serves only as a formal request to the legislature to consider the issue. The document lists numerous legislators who have signed the petition but does not outline any concrete legislative changes. Consequently, the bill functions as a procedural item to raise awareness rather than a standalone law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to officially classify racism as a public health crisis. It requires the Office of Health Equity to create policies aimed at dismantling systemic racism, which includes conducting audits of health services, improving data transparency on race and ethnicity, and launching programs to prevent and treat chronic diseases that disproportionately affect communities of color. Additionally, the Office must submit an annual report to the Commissioner and the Legislature detailing the state of systemic racism's impact on public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance to provide cash and nutritional aid to immigrant residents who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States. It specifically targets children, pregnant women, and caretaker adults by allowing them to receive cash assistance and related benefits under Chapter 118, as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, regardless of their immigration status or citizenship. The legislation removes existing immigration-related barriers that currently prevent these individuals from accessing these specific state-funded programs. All benefits under the new section must be provided at the same level and subject to the same requirements as those given to other eligible residents, pending future state funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals with eviction records to have those records sealed under specific conditions, aiming to help people secure future housing. It defines key terms such as "eviction action" and "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing, while also establishing rules for how consumer reporting agencies and courts must handle these records. The legislation requires that sealed eviction records be treated as if they never existed for the purpose of rental applications and credit checks, thereby removing barriers to housing for tenants who have faced past evictions.