Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts public schools to include the history of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans in their curriculum starting with the 2023-2024 school year. It mandates that the state update its history and social science frameworks to cover the political, economic, and cultural contributions of this diverse group while also addressing historical racism and prejudice. To support these changes, the legislation establishes a dedicated trust fund financed by donations and fines from hate crimes to assist schools and provide teacher training. The law also directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to help districts access quality educational materials and ensures that instruction promotes diverse perspectives and anti-racist practices.
Rep. Jessica Giannino
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate whether cost-of-living adjustments should be increased for Massachusetts State Police retirees. The commission will include representatives from the public service committee, the state retirement board, the public employee retirement administration, and the group representing retirees. By January 1, 2024, the group must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the relevant legislative committees. The measure does not change retirement benefits immediately but creates a formal process to study the issue and recommend potential policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a five-year pilot program that offers an alternative path to teacher certification. Instead of requiring all candidates to pass standard state exams, the program would allow individuals to earn preliminary certification based on their teaching experience and student growth scores over four years. The alternative process could also waive one of the two required tests for candidates who have already been certified in another state, shown significant impact on student growth while working outside Massachusetts, or completed a satisfactory portfolio of work. This initiative directly affects aspiring educators by providing a more flexible route to licensure that relies on demonstrated proficiency rather than solely on standardized testing.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to phase out the sale of specific mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs. It defines compact and linear fluorescent lamps by their technical characteristics and sets a ban on selling screw or bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps starting January 1, 2024. The restrictions expand on January 1, 2025, to include pin-base compact fluorescent lamps and all linear fluorescent lamps. The law includes an exemption for lamps used exclusively for image capture, printing, lithography, and film or video projection.
By Representatives Garballey of Arlington and Cataldo of Concord, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3164) of Sean Garballey, Simon Cataldo and others relative to improving outdoor lighting and increasing dark-sky visibility. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
By Representative Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2509) of Paul J. Donato and Paul McMurtry for legislation to place certain employees in the Department of Fire Services in Group 4 of the contributory retirement system for public employees. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to actively reach out to incarcerated individuals and those recently released from state prisons to help them enroll in college. It requires financial aid staff at public universities to contact correctional facilities twice a year to identify eligible students and provide them with expedited enrollment assistance and financial support within thirty days of release. The legislation also mandates that correction officials share contact information for these individuals with universities and requires the Board of Higher Education to submit an annual report on the program's progress to state committees.
April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 822) of Lydia Edwards, Sal N. DiDomenico and Russell E. Holmes for legislation to instruct the board of higher education to engage house of corrections and state prisons, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2675).