Rep. Brian Murray

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to streamline how registered land titles are managed and allow landowners to exit the registration system. It enables public entities like the state or towns to withdraw land from the registry when they acquire it, while also creating a formal process for private owners to voluntarily remove their land from the system. To withdraw voluntarily, owners must file a notice with the land court, provide a title examiner report, and notify any lenders or tenants, with a judge approving the move after a 30-day waiting period for objections. The bill also clarifies that once land is withdrawn, owners keep their title free of most past claims like adverse possession, though some specific recorded liens remain. Additionally, it restricts changes to official land records to only correct clerical mistakes or with a court order.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Attorney General to create a comprehensive plan for regulating facial recognition technology across the state. It defines key terms like "facial recognition" and "biometric surveillance technology" to ensure clarity in future rules. The legislation requires the Attorney General to submit a report outlining how the state will manage the use of these technologies by public and private entities. Ultimately, the bill aims to establish a formal framework for oversight rather than immediately banning or mandating specific uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies to inform insurance brokers at least 21 days before a policy is set to lapse. The law mandates that insurers send a notice of impending coverage termination to the agent of record, ensuring brokers are aware of clients whose policies are about to expire. However, the requirement does not apply if the insurer already has a system that alerts brokers to pending lapses, lacks a record of the current agent, or if the agent works directly for the insurance company. Importantly, receiving this notice does not make the broker responsible for the policy lapse itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an agricultural healthy incentives program in Massachusetts that directly affects Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The program would allow these individuals to receive a matching benefit on their EBT cards when they purchase fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The Department of Transitional Assistance, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health, would operate the program and set specific spending limits. This initiative aims to encourage healthier food choices among low-income families by providing financial incentives for buying produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow the chairperson of the board of water commissioners to participate in municipal finance discussions alongside the director of municipal finance. It specifically authorizes the town of Milford to establish representative town meetings, a process where residents directly vote on local budget and policy decisions. The change expands the scope of local governance by including water commission leadership in financial oversight and enables direct citizen involvement in Milford's municipal affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow itemized medical bills and related reports to be used as evidence in court regarding the cost and necessity of medical services. It directly affects individuals involved in legal proceedings where medical treatment is relevant, such as personal injury cases. Under the new rules, these documents can prove charges, diagnoses, and opinions on disability if the opposing party receives a certified copy at least ten days before they are introduced. The law also preserves the right for any party to call medical professionals to testify or cross-examine witnesses about the records.

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3243) of Manny Cruz and others relative to tourism and visitation marketing and promotion grants. Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding service animals and establish a formal process for verifying their legitimate status. It creates a new section in the state's general laws to define terms like "service dog" and "service-dog-in-training" based on federal standards, while explicitly protecting business owners from misrepresentation. A key provision requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute a verification decal for businesses to display in their windows or doors. This decal will be created in collaboration with national service dog organizations, restaurant owner associations, and business owner associations to help identify legitimate service animals.