Rep. Norm Orrall

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of a parking lot on Court Street in Taunton from the state to the city for a nominal fee of one dollar. Under the legislation, the city would assume full responsibility for costs such as appraisals, surveys, and ongoing maintenance, while the state retains the right to reclaim the land if it stops being used for parking. The state also agrees to hold the city harmless from any preexisting environmental violations associated with the property. Any funds received from the transfer would be deposited into the state's General Fund.

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 amends Massachusetts state laws to update terminology regarding individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Its primary function is to replace outdated terms like "handicapped persons" and "autistic" with modern, person-first language such as "persons with disabilities" and "individuals with disabilities." These changes affect various sections of Chapter 6 of the General Laws, which cover topics including employment weeks and general definitions used across state regulations. By standardizing this language, the legislation ensures that official documents and statutes reflect current respectful terminology without altering the substantive rights or programs available to these individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public buildings in Massachusetts that are newly built, reconstructed, or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026, to include at least one universal changing station. The law defines these stations as enclosed restroom facilities accessible to people of any sex and designed for individuals of any age who need help with diapering. It expands the definition of public accommodations to include public parks and rest stops, ensuring these spaces also comply with the new requirement. The Architectural Access Board is tasked with creating specific rules to enforce this mandate by January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts library laws to ensure that publishers offering digital books and audiobooks to the public must also make them available to libraries on fair terms. It requires these licenses to be accessible to all library types, including public, school, academic, and tribal libraries, without restricting the number of licenses a library can buy on the same day as the general public. The law defines specific rules for these licenses, such as limits on simultaneous users, loan periods, and digital security measures, while prohibiting restrictions on how many copies a library can purchase. Publishers who fail to comply with these requirements could face penalties under state unfair trade practice laws. Ultimately, the legislation aims to modernize how libraries access digital content to better serve their communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority to use at least $150 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds to help cover rising material costs for previously approved school construction projects. The legislation specifically targets schools that can prove their budget overruns were caused by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. By transferring these funds to a dedicated trust, the bill aims to reimburse contractors and districts for the additional expenses incurred during the construction process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Middleborough to update the official name of its local utility authority. Specifically, it inserts the phrase "currently known as Middleborough gas and electric board of commissioners" into several sections of the state's municipal code that reference the board. Additionally, the legislation corrects a minor grammatical error in one section by changing the preposition "in" to "on." These changes are administrative updates that clarify the board's identity in legal records without altering its powers or responsibilities.

Senate, December 4, 2023 -- Substituted as a new draft (Senator Pacheco) for the Senate Bill establishing a senior property tax deferral program in the city of Taunton (Senate, No. 2368).