By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2398) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others relative to access to parole. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representatives Rogers of Cambridge and Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2394) of David M. Rogers, Marjorie C. Decker and others relative to the right of persons incarcerated in correctional institutions, state prisons, jails or houses of correction to confer with news media representative. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Consumer Health Data Act to regulate how companies collect, use, and share personal health information. It directly affects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain clear, specific, and voluntary written consent before gathering sensitive data such as DNA, biometric scans, and health metrics. The law prohibits obtaining consent through broad terms of service, passive actions like hovering over content, or deceptive design choices like pre-checked boxes. Additionally, it defines key terms like "affiliate" and "biometric data" to ensure clarity in how these protections apply across different types of health-related information.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend Massachusetts law to ensure that the state minimum wage applies to both public and private employers. The key provision explicitly states that the minimum wage rules override any conflicting state laws, such as those regarding tipped minimum wages. By removing the word "It" and adding "public or private," the legislation aims to create a uniform minimum wage standard across all workplaces in the state. This change would directly affect all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of whether they work for the government or a private company.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes banning the sale of cell phone location information to protect reproductive health access, LGBTQ individuals, religious liberty, and freedom of movement. It directly affects telecommunications companies and data brokers by restricting their ability to sell precise location data to third parties. The legislation aims to prevent the misuse of location tracking that could expose individuals to discrimination or surveillance in sensitive situations.
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill relative to salary range transparency (House, No. 4109), reports, in part, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4890).
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill expands access to abortion care by broadening the definition of who can perform these procedures to include all licensed health care providers, not just physicians. It removes the requirement for a 24-hour waiting period and clarifies that conscientious objection is invalid if an abortion is necessary to save a patient's life and no other staff are available. The legislation also updates terminology throughout state laws to refer to "abortion-related care" and requires informed consent forms to be available in multiple languages.
By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2989) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to the annual issuance of a proclamation from the Governor setting apart the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representatives Ciccolo of Lexington and Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3284) of Michelle L. Ciccolo, Smitty Pignatelli and others that the Department of Transportation establish a municipal Chapter 90 transportation funding program commission. Transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to expand the legal definition of a "prostituted person" for the purposes of the state's sex trafficking statute. The change directly affects individuals currently involved in sex work by including them under the protections of the law if they are victims of sexual servitude, sex trafficking, or specific forms of prostitution involving fees, necessities, minors, or street solicitation. By broadening this definition, the legislation ensures that a wider range of people engaged in the sex trade can access existing legal remedies and support services designed for trafficking victims. The bill does not alter criminal penalties but rather clarifies who qualifies for the state's victim assistance framework.
