Rep. Carmine Gentile

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to review Massachusetts laws regarding animal cruelty and protection. The group will include representatives from the attorney general's office, district attorneys, state police, agricultural resources, and animal welfare organizations, along with two members appointed by the governor. Within 12 months, the task force must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations, which may include creating a new misdemeanor statute for animal cruelty. This initiative directly affects state agencies and animal welfare groups by mandating a systematic evaluation of current legal protections for animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts in Massachusetts from using a parent's disability as a negative factor when deciding child custody or parenting time. It directly affects adults with disabilities involved in family and juvenile court proceedings by ensuring their disabilities are not automatically viewed as harmful to their children. The law requires that any decision against a parent based on their disability must be supported by specific evidence showing a direct link between the disability and harm to the child that cannot be fixed with accommodations. Courts must also document in writing why they believe a disability causes harm and whether services like adaptive equipment or interpreters could resolve the issue. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as "disability" and "supportive parenting services" to guide judges in applying these protections fairly.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to prohibit professional investors from discriminating against individuals based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation during funding decisions. It specifically bans sexual harassment in investment transactions and prevents investors from denying funds to people or companies because of their identity, while allowing exceptions for funds designated to help historically disadvantaged groups. Violations of these rules can result in significant financial penalties and legal fees for the investor, with the Attorney General having the authority to enforce the anti-discrimination provisions. The law applies to a wide range of financial entities, including banks, venture capital funds, and insurance companies that engage in investment activities within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide at least one year of advance notice before closing any essential health services. It also mandates that hospitals inform specific groups, including staff, labor unions, and local lawmakers, at least 30 days before submitting their closure notice. The law aims to give communities and workers more time to prepare for significant changes in local healthcare availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create guidelines for integrating social-emotional learning into middle and high school athletic programs by June 30, 2024. These guidelines would require coaches and students to learn skills such as creating bias-free team cultures, resolving conflicts, managing emotions, and making ethical decisions. While school districts are not forced to adopt these programs, they must consider the guidelines if they choose to include social-emotional learning in their sports activities. The rules will be updated every two years and will be part of the state's broader safe and supportive schools framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to form a task force that will study how starting school later affects middle and high school students. The group will include representatives from various school organizations, experts on sleep, and parents to review scientific data on adolescent health and academic performance. They will also count how many districts have already moved to later schedules and look at test scores in those areas. Finally, the task force must submit a report with its findings and any suggested laws by July 1, 2024, to help guide future decisions on school start times.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to strengthen suicide prevention efforts within public schools and charter schools. It requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules mandating that school districts form partnerships with community organizations to refer students to mental health, substance use, and social support services. Additionally, the legislation shortens the timeline for school districts to implement suicide prevention plans, reducing the requirement from three years to one year and the review period from six months to 60 days. These changes directly affect school administrators and districts by establishing clearer, faster deadlines and a formalized process for connecting students with external health resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the SAVE Students Act, creates a statewide anonymous reporting system for students, staff, and the public to report unsafe or violent activities in Massachusetts schools. The Department of Public Health will establish and manage this program, which must be accessible 24/7 through a mobile app, website, and toll-free phone line, and include a staffed crisis center offering multilingual support. The law requires that the system protect the identity of reporters while allowing them to voluntarily share their information if they choose, and mandates that regulations be developed to ensure the program does not lead to unfair disciplinary actions against students from protected groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new, independent Office of Elder Advocate in Massachusetts to oversee the care and services provided to older adults and people with disabilities. The office will investigate complaints, examine systemic issues within state agencies and publicly funded private entities, and offer recommendations to improve safety and dignity for these populations. It also establishes a specific advisory council to guide the office and grants it the authority to impose temporary cost-sharing agreements to ensure timely access to services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state entity called the Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority to help cities and towns build or upgrade essential facilities like police stations, fire stations, and town halls. The authority will be funded by a dedicated portion of the state's marijuana sales tax revenue, which is placed into a special trust fund and used to support construction projects or pay off related debt. The law also establishes an advisory board to guide the authority's work and includes legal protections to ensure the tax money is used only for its intended purposes.