Rep. Carmine Gentile

By Ms. Friedman (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2440) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Eliza Coady Perez, Susan Perkins, Ann Marie Faust and Carmine Lawrence Gentile for legislation to improve student and staff attendance and performance by ensuring CO2 monitoring in schools throughout the Commonwealth. Education.

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 creates a new Climate & Community Resilience Fund in Massachusetts to support climate change efforts, with a specific focus on low-income communities and people of color who face environmental injustices. The fund will be financed through property insurance fees, state appropriations, bonds, investment income, and other designated sources, ensuring that any leftover money stays in the fund for future use rather than returning to the general state budget. An eleven-member independent board will manage the fund, with two-thirds of its seats reserved for representatives from community-based organizations to ensure local leadership and diverse perspectives. The legislation also formally defines "Community-Based Organization" to ensure these groups meet specific criteria regarding resident involvement and fair workplace standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Fund in Massachusetts to finance infrastructure projects that help communities prepare for and respond to climate change impacts. The law defines eligible projects broadly, including coastal protections, upgraded drainage systems, resilient energy grids, and health programs to treat climate-related illnesses. Under the bill, entities responsible for greenhouse gas emissions between 2000 and 2018 would be charged to contribute to this fund based on their historical fossil fuel use. The collected payments would be used to cover the costs of building and maintaining the specified adaptive infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals with eviction records to have those records sealed under specific conditions, aiming to help people secure future housing. It defines key terms such as "eviction action" and "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing, while also establishing rules for how consumer reporting agencies and courts must handle these records. The legislation requires that sealed eviction records be treated as if they never existed for the purpose of rental applications and credit checks, thereby removing barriers to housing for tenants who have faced past evictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the staffing and management of Massachusetts probate registries to improve their efficiency. It authorizes the chief justice of the probate and family court department to appoint first and assistant registers for specific terms and grants the power to remove these officials. The legislation also creates new positions for assistant registers in several counties while eliminating the role of administrative deputy assistant registers. These changes directly affect the personnel structure of the probate courts and the individuals employed within them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any organization or entity in Massachusetts that receives public funds to follow federal laws when returning Native American human remains, sacred objects, or cultural items to their tribes. Specifically, it mandates that groups holding these items must adhere to the penalties and requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act if they plan to remove them from their collections. The law applies to a wide range of recipients, including government agencies, nonprofits, and trusts that use state or local money. By enforcing these existing federal standards, the bill aims to ensure that Native American heritage items are repatriated in accordance with established legal definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in the Massachusetts General Laws to regulate pregnancy services centers and protect patient privacy. It defines key terms such as "limited services pregnancy center," which refers to facilities that do not provide or refer for abortions or emergency contraception, and sets strict rules for how these centers can collect and use personal information. The legislation requires that any consent for processing personal data must be a clear, affirmative act and cannot be obtained through misleading statements or deceptive user interfaces. Additionally, the bill prohibits unfair or deceptive advertising practices related to pregnancy-related services, aiming to ensure transparency for individuals seeking care.