Rep. Adam Scanlon

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts education code to establish strict privacy protections for student and educator data collected by third-party technology providers. It defines specific categories of sensitive information, such as biometric data, search history, and medical records, that companies cannot use to identify individuals without explicit consent. The legislation requires operators of educational sites and applications to obtain clear permission before collecting or sharing personal data and mandates that any data shared with the state must be fully anonymized. By clarifying what constitutes private information and how it must be handled, the law aims to prevent unauthorized tracking and profiling of students and school staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund local food purchases and cooking equipment for schools and childcare centers. The program aims to improve student nutrition by enabling institutions to buy ingredients grown in the state and prepare scratch-cooked meals while teaching students about the food system. To receive funding, applicants must be public schools or licensed childcare programs that serve meals through specific federal feeding programs. An advisory committee, including representatives from agriculture and early education, will oversee the grants to ensure diverse stakeholder input.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding program within the Massachusetts School Building Authority specifically for vocational-technical education and regional vocational-technical schools. The legislation aims to improve access and capacity by directing capital investments toward infrastructure that supports industry-relevant workforce training and economic development. By establishing this dedicated tool, the bill seeks to ensure equitable access to public education and modern facilities for students pursuing technical careers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a universal school meal program in Massachusetts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. It would require the state to allocate funding for these meals and mandate that every school district participate in the program. The legislation aims to ensure that every child attending a public school in the Commonwealth receives nutritious food at no cost to their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of recognized methods for final disposition of human remains in Massachusetts to include alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction alongside burial and cremation. By amending multiple sections of state law, the legislation allows cemeteries and funeral homes to legally offer these environmentally friendly alternatives to families. The act also defines specific terms for these new processes and updates existing regulations to ensure they are treated similarly to cremation in terms of facility usage and cemetery operations. Ultimately, the bill aims to provide consumers with more options for handling deceased relatives while reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional burial and cremation practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to grant a lifetime income tax exemption for individuals classified as prisoners of war. It defines a prisoner of war as someone who was part of the U.S. military forces and was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy during an armed conflict. The change directly affects veterans who meet these specific criteria by allowing them to exclude income from their state tax returns for the rest of their lives.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program in Massachusetts that allows homeowners aged 65 and older to defer paying their property taxes until they sell their home or pass away. The program targets approximately 2,000 participants across a representative sample of municipalities, ensuring the demographic and income levels of those involved mirror the state's broader homeowner population. To enroll, seniors must opt in annually and sign an agreement stating that any deferred taxes, plus interest calculated to cover program costs, will be paid from the proceeds of a future home sale or inheritance. The legislation allocates specific funding amounts from 2023 through 2033 to support the administrative costs of this initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help Massachusetts residents with disabilities or their caregivers afford necessary home modifications. Eligible individuals with incomes at or below 120% of the area median income can receive up to 50% of the cost for approved changes, with a maximum grant of $5,000. The program covers specific improvements like zero-step entrances, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, and medical equipment backups, provided the work meets established accessibility standards. Applicants must submit proof of completed renovations, such as invoices and before-and-after photos, to receive funding. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will oversee the program guidelines in consultation with the relevant department.