Rep. Paul McMurtry

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund local food purchases and cooking equipment for schools and childcare centers. The program aims to improve student nutrition by enabling institutions to buy ingredients grown in the state and prepare scratch-cooked meals while teaching students about the food system. To receive funding, applicants must be public schools or licensed childcare programs that serve meals through specific federal feeding programs. An advisory committee, including representatives from agriculture and early education, will oversee the grants to ensure diverse stakeholder input.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding program within the Massachusetts School Building Authority specifically for vocational-technical education and regional vocational-technical schools. The legislation aims to improve access and capacity by directing capital investments toward infrastructure that supports industry-relevant workforce training and economic development. By establishing this dedicated tool, the bill seeks to ensure equitable access to public education and modern facilities for students pursuing technical careers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a universal school meal program in Massachusetts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. It would require the state to allocate funding for these meals and mandate that every school district participate in the program. The legislation aims to ensure that every child attending a public school in the Commonwealth receives nutritious food at no cost to their families.

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 updates Nicky's Law to broaden the legal definition of "employer" for entities providing MassHealth day habilitation services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. By expanding the criteria to include organizations operating under specific department contracts, funding, or licenses, the legislation ensures these service providers are covered under existing employment protections. The change directly affects the organizations delivering these day programs and the staff who work within them, aiming to clarify their status under current state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals who need supervision and cueing to perform daily living tasks to qualify for the Personal Care Attendant program. Specifically, it directs the Division of Medical Assistance to update its regulations so that people requiring assistance with two or more activities of daily living are considered eligible for PCA services. The change ensures that those who need guidance or oversight while completing routine tasks can receive support through the state's existing personal care system.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three new grant programs to support Massachusetts businesses, research institutions, and schools in developing a sustainable blue economy. The Department of Environmental Protection will offer funding to small businesses that keep materials in circulation for longer, while the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs will fund research and technology development aimed at improving ocean health. Additionally, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will create a fund to help high schools expand training and job placement programs in ocean-related science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics fields. The legislation requires all grant recipients to demonstrate measurable economic benefits to the state and prioritizes applications from minority-owned, women-owned, and environmental justice-focused organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect vulnerable adults, specifically those aged 60 and older or individuals with disabilities, from financial exploitation. It defines financial exploitation as the unauthorized taking of assets or using deception to control an adult's money and grants financial professionals the authority to delay account disbursements for up to 15 days if they suspect abuse is occurring. To support these measures, the bill provides legal immunity to qualified individuals who report suspected exploitation to the appropriate state agencies or notify designated third parties in good faith. Additionally, it mandates that financial institutions must notify relevant authorities within two business days when they freeze funds and complete an internal investigation within seven days.