By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile relative to the use of data from automobile surveillance devices, so-called. The Judiciary.
Maddy summaryHD 448 creates a new full-time position for a food system coordinator within the state government. This coordinator will work across all relevant state agencies to map existing food-related programs, eliminate duplicate efforts, identify service gaps, and recommend improvements - particularly for underserved communities. The role requires the coordinator to track progress toward food system goals and submit reports to the legislature, agency secretaries, and department commissioners before each council meeting. The bill directly affects state agencies managing food programs and aims to improve coordination of food system initiatives statewide.
Maddy summaryHD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.
Maddy summaryH 4418 amends Massachusetts law to strengthen the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. It increases the council's membership from 18 to 20 members, adds specific positions (like the marine fisheries director and UMass food policy director), and creates a new full-time Food System Coordinator role. The coordinator will inventory state food programs, facilitate interagency collaboration, track progress on food system goals, and report to legislative committees and agencies. The bill also establishes rules for compensating council members while requiring compliance with ethics laws. This directly affects the council, state agencies involved in food policy, and the coordination of food system programs across Massachusetts.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures Massachusetts public schools treat student participation in 4-H programs as excused absences, counting up to 5 days per year the same as field trips. Schools must provide make-up work and prevent grades from being negatively affected due to 4-H participation. It does not apply during standardized testing periods or if a student is suspended/expelled. The policy takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 558) of Carol A. Doherty and others relative to courses in American Sign Language. Education.
Maddy summaryHD 2100 establishes a Food Literacy Trust Fund to support school-based food literacy programs. The fund, financed by state appropriations, grants, and interest, allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide resources and curricula on topics like nutrition, food systems, environmental connections, food justice, and culinary skills. Schools must incorporate these standards into existing subjects (e.g., science, math) and may use the fund for professional development. The bill requires annual reporting on fund use and program implementation to state education committees.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. It provides funding for institutions to implement campus food support programs, including partnerships with meal vendors that accept federal nutrition benefits and student meal credit sharing systems. The program requires participating colleges to meet specific criteria, such as designating staff to assist students with food assistance programs and establishing campus awareness initiatives. A dedicated "Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund" will manage the grants, with annual reports tracking participating schools, student engagement, and program outcomes.
Maddy summaryH 4407 requires Massachusetts public colleges and universities to establish clear, written policies for granting college credit to high school students who earn qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams, complete International Baccalaureate programs, or take dual enrollment courses. These policies must specify minimum score requirements, how credit applies toward degree requirements (e.g., general education or major courses), and how credits transfer between institutions, with all policies posted online for transparency. The state Department of Higher Education will review these policies every three years and report findings to the legislature. The bill also creates an Office of Early College to oversee statewide early college programs, which are partnerships between high schools and colleges allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school.
Maddy summaryHD 1877 requires Massachusetts health insurance companies to count all payments toward deductibles, copays, and coinsurance (including payments made by others on behalf of the insured) toward the insured's annual out-of-pocket maximum. It also mandates that insurers include all covered health services within essential health benefits when calculating this annual limit. The bill applies to health plans entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The Massachusetts Insurance Commission may create rules to implement these changes.
