By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 303) of Kristin E. Kassner and Carmine Lawrence Gentile for program to assist cities and towns for the purpose of creating community development plans. Community Development and Small Businesses.
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1507) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation relative to the pediatric palliative care program. Public Health.
Maddy summaryHD 935 requires virtual currency kiosk operators in Massachusetts to obtain a money transmitter license and register locations with the Commissioner of Banks before operating. Operators must submit quarterly location reports and provide clear, mandatory disclosures to customers, including prominent warnings about irreversible transactions, lack of government backing, scam risks (with specific examples like impersonation scams), and volatility. The bill also sets a $1,000 daily transaction limit per customer and mandates disclosure of fees, exchange rates, and policy changes. This directly affects businesses operating physical kiosks for buying/selling virtual currency in Massachusetts.
By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Liz Miranda and Samantha Montaño for legislation to establish LGBTQIA+ parent advisory councils in public schools. Education.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship program to provide student debt relief for Massachusetts residents who completed volunteer service with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Massachusetts' Commonwealth Corps. Eligible applicants must be Massachusetts residents, have completed one approved volunteer program, work for Massachusetts state/municipal government, a federal office in Massachusetts, or a Massachusetts nonprofit, and earn below the state median income. Qualified individuals would receive grants covering 100% of their outstanding student debt, up to a maximum of $5,000 per person. The program's implementation would be managed by a state agency, subject to annual funding appropriations.
By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 272) of Samantha Montaño, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and Natalie M. Higgins relative to financial assistance for maternal health. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
By Representative Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1215) of Hannah Kane, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and Michael O. Moore relative to the merged market for insured health coverage. Financial Services.
By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 954) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile and others relative to the powers of cities and town to regulate, restrict or prohibit the use, application or disposal of certain pesticides. Environment and Natural Resources.
Maddy summaryHD 240 requires anyone using pesticides containing glyphosate to hold a valid license from the department, affecting both users (like farmers or landscapers) and retailers. The bill mandates that retailers verify a customer’s license before selling glyphosate pesticides and register their business with the department for a $25 annual fee. It prohibits unsupervised use by licensed individuals and restricts sales to licensed customers only, with specific rules for general-use pesticides. The law takes effect 12 months after passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for corn, wheat, and soybeans starting January 1, 2029, directly affecting farmers growing these crops. Exceptions require a department-issued waiver based on a pest risk assessment showing the neonicotinoid is necessary to prevent significant crop damage, with no less harmful alternatives available. Waivers must specify location, duration (max one year), and environmental safeguards, and must be publicly posted online. The law mandates farmers to maintain records of waiver use for department review. It aims to reduce neonicotinoid pesticide exposure to pollinators and water sources by restricting their agricultural use.
