Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state's Capital Asset Management and Maintenance commissioner to transfer two specific parcels of land in Lowell to the city for redevelopment: the former district court site at 41 Hurd Street and the former Middlesex Superior Court complex at 330 Gorham Street along with associated parking lots. The state will convey these properties to the city for a nominal fee of one dollar, with no warranties provided, and the commissioner must publicly disclose the transaction if the sale price is below the property's calculated fair market value. Once the city owns the land, it may sell or lease the parcels, but any net proceeds from such transactions must be split equally between the city and the state, with the state's share deposited into a dedicated courts capital fund. The city is responsible for all costs related to the transfer and future management of the land, and if the city does not complete the purchase within 180 days, the state retains the right to sell or lease the properties itself.
Rep. Rodney Elliott
Sponsored bills
By Representative Scarsdale of Pepperell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2654) of Margaret R. Scarsdale and others relative to certain exemptions from the civil service laws. Public Service.
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 amends Massachusetts law to specifically include public transit workers as protected employees under assault and battery statutes. It expands the definition of assault to cover attacks using bodily substances, such as blood, saliva, or urine, when directed at these workers. By updating the legal text, the legislation ensures that harming transit staff with such substances is treated as a distinct offense. The changes directly affect law enforcement, prosecutors, and public transit employees by clarifying the scope of protected conduct.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows public agencies and municipalities to require Project Labor Agreements on public construction projects if they determine it is in the best interest of the state. Before mandating such an agreement, officials must evaluate factors like construction efficiency, worker availability, project safety, and opportunities for diverse groups including women, minorities, and veterans. The Department of Labor Standards will also create new rules to encourage more minority-owned businesses to participate and ensure the workforce reflects the local community demographics.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stop wage theft and hold employers accountable by strengthening how the state enforces labor laws. It creates a new public enforcement unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate unpaid wages and other violations. The legislation also expands the types of penalties available to punish companies that fail to pay workers correctly. These changes directly affect employees who may have been underpaid and the businesses that employ them.
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.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3012) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to infrastructure projects and public building construction contractors and subcontractors. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that all children have equal legal rights and protections regarding parentage, regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or the method of conception. It achieves this by replacing gender-specific terms like "paternity" and "mother" with the gender-neutral term "parentage" and removing distinctions based on whether parents are married. The legislation also expands legal definitions to explicitly include children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy, ensuring that intended parents and surrogates are clearly recognized under the law. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to create a consistent legal framework that treats all parent-child relationships equally without regard to how the child was born.