Rep. Francisco Paulino

Maddy summaryHD 313 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a clear process for filling vacancies in the Lieutenant Governor's office. If the Lieutenant Governor dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes permanently incapacitated, the governor must nominate a replacement. The nominee would then require approval by a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature (the General Court) to take office. This amendment would directly define the succession plan, replacing any existing or informal procedures for this position.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Merrimack River Collaborative, a coordinating group focused on improving water quality in Massachusetts' Merrimack River from the New Hampshire border to the river mouth. It directly affects communities along the river (like Amesbury, Lowell, and Haverhill), state agencies, local water systems, and environmental organizations. The Collaborative will standardize water monitoring, track pollutants, prioritize cleanup projects, and identify funding opportunities to make the river "swimmable, drinkable, and fishable" while supporting biodiversity and climate resilience. It operates through an Executive Committee and member organizations without receiving direct funding, requiring annual reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHD 287 creates the Merrimack River Collaborative, a coordinating body to improve water quality along the Merrimack River. It directly affects communities, local governments, state agencies (like the Department of Environmental Protection), environmental groups, and universities along the river. The Collaborative will convene working groups, standardize water quality data, monitor pollutants, identify improvement projects, and connect communities with funding - reporting annually by December 15th starting in 2025. Membership includes municipal officials, state departments, environmental organizations, and academic institutions, all serving without pay. The bill establishes the structure and deadlines for this new entity but does not change existing environmental laws.

Maddy summaryHD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.

Maddy summaryHD 346 requires all 4-year, degree-granting colleges in the state to annually report detailed admissions data, including whether they use legacy preferences, donor relationships, or early decision/admission policies, and to disaggregate student enrollment by race, financial aid status, and admission pathway. The bill prohibits colleges from considering legacy status, donor relationships, or early decision policies without paying a public service fee calculated as a percentage of their endowment per student. Fees range from 0.01% to 0.2% of endowment, with minimum payments of $1 million for institutions with over $1.5 billion in endowment. All collected fees fund the Higher Education Opportunity Trust Fund, which supports public community colleges and state universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts public and private degree-granting colleges and universities from considering applicants' family ties to alumni or donors during admissions decisions. It also bans institutions from disclosing relatives' educational history or donation records in application materials. The bill requires the state department of higher education to study how binding early decision policies impact student diversity - including economic status, racial/ethnic representation, and first-generation students - and report findings within one year. These changes will take effect for admissions leading to the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summaryHD 358 allows public buildings, including schools, to use temporary door-locking devices under new regulations. The bill requires the executive office of public safety to create rules covering when and where these devices can be used, ensuring they don’t interfere with fire safety or emergency exits. Key requirements include building safety plan integration, staff training, annual inspections, and compliance with fire safety standards. The devices must be removable without keys from the inside, not permanently alter doors, and not block fire-rated doors.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the residency requirement for new firefighters in Massachusetts. It requires any firefighter hired after August 1, 1978 (who isn't covered by Chapter 31 rules) to live within 15 miles of their city or town of employment, measured from the closest borders of both locations. Cities or towns can increase this 15-mile limit through collective bargaining agreements under Chapter 150E. The law directly affects new firefighters hired by local fire departments after 1978.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts public schools to create equitable academic acceleration programs for K-12 students who demonstrate readiness for advanced material. It mandates that schools use unbiased screening tools to evaluate *all* students - not just those recommended by teachers or parents - and document acceleration plans with academic and social-emotional support. Schools must provide teacher training on acceleration strategies like single-subject advancement, online courses, dual enrollment, and competency-based learning. The law directs school districts to implement these changes through written plans and ensures professional development aligns with state regulations.

Maddy summaryHD 1444 establishes a 24-month nurse practitioner residency program at community health centers (CHCs) to recruit and retain nurse practitioners (NPs) for primary and preventative care. The program targets NPs who graduated within three years, requiring them to work at a CHC for at least 18 months post-residency under physician or advanced nurse supervision. It mandates $2.5 million annually in state funding, with efforts to secure federal Medicaid reimbursement for the residency costs. The law applies specifically to CHCs receiving federal grants under 42 USC 254b and does not alter existing nursing licensure requirements.