Rep. Carmine Gentile

Maddy summaryMassachusetts' HD 249 is a resolution memorializing Congress to propose a constitutional amendment overturning the *Citizens United* Supreme Court decision. It requests Congress send to the states a proposed amendment that would allow federal and state governments to regulate campaign spending and prohibit corporations and unions from spending money in elections. The resolution references a specific Massachusetts-proposed amendment text that would restore the ability to limit corporate influence in elections while protecting individual voting rights. This is a procedural request to Congress, not a law creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the existence of the Citizens Commission, which reviews constitutional amendment proposals, until December 31, 2028. It adds specific rules for filling vacancies on the Commission: appointing authorities must fill vacancies within 30 days by selecting from prior applicants or new applicants, and must publicly post the appointment details. The bill directly affects the Commission’s operations and the process for selecting its members. It makes no substantive changes to constitutional amendment procedures, only clarifying the Commission’s timeline and vacancy management.

Maddy summaryMassachusetts' HD 684 is a resolution formally ratifying a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant Congress authority to regulate child labor for individuals under 18 years old. The amendment, passed by Congress, would allow federal laws to limit, regulate, or prohibit labor of minors and suspend conflicting state laws where necessary. This resolution is part of the constitutional amendment process, requiring ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures to become part of the U.S. Constitution. It does not create new federal law but enables future congressional action on child labor regulation.

Maddy summaryMassachusetts' HD 683 is a symbolic resolution supporting Washington, D.C. statehood. It states the Commonwealth opposes federal interference with D.C.'s local governance (like disapproving local laws or restricting tax revenue) and urges Congress to admit D.C. as a state. The resolution directly addresses the 700,000+ D.C. residents who lack voting representation in Congress despite paying federal taxes and serving in the military. It does not change laws but formally expresses Massachusetts' position on a long-standing issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants, schools, sports leagues, and other public venues to purchase and keep epinephrine autoinjectors on-site to treat severe allergic reactions. To do so, these locations must get approval from the state department, ensure their staff completes specific emergency training, and store the devices in easily accessible places. Trained employees are authorized to use these injectors on anyone showing signs of anaphylaxis, even if the person does not have a personal prescription for the medication. The law also provides legal protection from lawsuits for these venues and their staff when administering the drug in good faith, while requiring them to report each use to the state for public analysis.

Senate, July 31, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill to promote student learning and mental health (Senate, No. 2581) (being the text of Senate document numbered 2561, printed as amended)

Maddy summaryThis bill increases access to epinephrine for life-threatening allergic reactions by allowing pharmacists to dispense autoinjectors without a prescription under a statewide standing order, with liability protection for good-faith actions. It also shields first responders from drug possession charges when seeking medical help for anaphylaxis and permits businesses (like schools, restaurants, and sports venues) to maintain and store epinephrine supplies with staff training. Pharmacists must complete anaphylaxis recognition training, and all entities must report dispensing data anonymously to the state. The law aims to make emergency treatment more accessible while protecting those administering it.

Maddy summaryMassachusetts' HD 248 is a legislative resolution calling on Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. The resolution seeks to affirm that constitutional rights apply only to natural persons (not corporations) and to allow limits on political spending to protect election integrity. If Congress does not act within six months, the resolution becomes a formal petition requesting a limited constitutional convention under Article V. This would require 33 other states to join similar requests before Congress convenes the convention, focusing specifically on campaign finance and corporate rights issues stemming from Supreme Court rulings like *Citizens United*.

Maddy summaryHD 2970 extends collective bargaining rights to all Massachusetts legislative staff, including committee members, clerks, HR personnel, and other general court employees. It defines "legislative employees" broadly to cover all such staff, while allowing exclusion of certain managerial or confidential roles (like top aides to legislative leaders) from bargaining units. The bill also updates conflict-of-interest rules to specifically address bargaining representatives under Chapter 150E. This policy change directly affects over 1,000 legislative employees across the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent oversight office within Massachusetts' Office of Inspector General to address structural racism in correctional facilities, as recommended by a state legislative commission. The office, led by an appointed "anti-racism corrections inspector general," will collect and analyze data on racial disparities - including by race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation - to monitor the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The inspector general must have expertise in structural racism and restorative justice, cannot have prior ties to the Department of Corrections, and will report findings to the legislature and public. This office will track progress in dismantling racial inequities in healthcare, programming, staffing, and facility operations.