Rep. Mary Keefe

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council to help address disparities in children's vision care across Massachusetts. The council will consist of 13 members from various medical, educational, and community organizations, along with three parents, who will meet annually to offer advice on improving eye health programs and screening systems. Additionally, the bill requires the state to establish a secure, computerized registry where healthcare providers report vision screening results to track and improve access to eye care for children.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Act to establish a superfund that recovers costs from entities responsible for climate pollution. It defines "climate change adaptive infrastructure projects" broadly to include measures like coastal protection, stormwater upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements for both public and private buildings. Under the proposed law, polluters would be required to pay into this fund to help finance these resilience projects, shifting the financial burden of climate adaptation from taxpayers to those contributing to the problem. The legislation also sets specific definitions for terms like "applicable payment date" and "controlled group" to ensure consistent application of the funding rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special citizens commission to investigate how Massachusetts can transition away from nuclear weapons production toward green technologies that address climate change. The commission will examine the state's current dependence on nuclear weapons-related jobs and investments, then propose financial and legal strategies to shift those resources to climate-focused industries while identifying necessary federal assistance. The eleven-member panel will be appointed by state officials and a coalition of peace and environmental groups, with strict rules ensuring no current employees of nuclear facilities serve on the group.

By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2513) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Vanna Howard and Mary S. Keefe relative to the membership of the board of the Group Insurance Commission. Public Service.

By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2514) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others relative to pension benefits for surviving spouses of Department of Children and Families social workers killed in the line of duty. Public Service.

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2582) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and others relative to health insurance benefits for certain state employees. Public Service.

By Representatives Gentile of Sudbury and Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by resolutions, House, No. 3502) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, David T. Vieira and others for the adoption of resolutions memorializing the Congress of the United States to call for a convention to propose amendments in order to address concerns about the integrity of our elections and the ability of the people to participate in effective self-government. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 478) of James B. Eldridge, Adam Scanlon, Michael J. Barrett, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand the sale of products by farmer breweries; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 387) of Adam Scanlon and others relative to the sale of products by farmer distilleries and wineries, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2629).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow farmer distilleries and wineries to sell their products at certified agricultural events. Under the new rules, these businesses can sell wine, malt beverages, and distilled spirits in sealed containers for off-premises consumption at indoor or outdoor events like farmers' markets and agricultural fairs. To qualify, the event must be certified by the Department of Agricultural Resources based on criteria such as vendor numbers, operational guidelines, and the presence of an on-site manager. The legislation also sets specific limits on the size of free samples that can be served to customers and requires applicants to submit a detailed plan for the event before receiving a special license.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires schools, child care centers, and universities in Massachusetts to use only specific types of pesticides on their outdoor grounds. Under the new rules, these facilities can only apply products classified by the EPA as exempt materials or those containing ingredients approved for organic farming. The legislation allows for a hardship waiver if a school needs to use a different pesticide, giving the state department the discretion to approve exceptions.