Maddy summaryThis bill imposes civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation for commercial drivers or companies that spill flammable materials (like gasoline or oil) onto public ways or into water sources. It requires companies delivering such materials to provide financial guarantees (surety bonds) to cover cleanup costs exceeding 100 gallons, with funds paid to the affected municipality. The bill also mandates a study by the Public Safety Secretary into how driver pay structures (hourly vs. per load), speed, and spill impacts affect road safety, environmental damage, and prevention methods. The study must report findings to the legislature within one year, focusing on concrete data about spill causes and costs. This directly affects commercial transportation companies, municipalities handling spill cleanups, and public safety authorities.
Rep. Jessica Giannino
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires adoption placement agencies to provide biological parents with an anonymous family medical history form when they consent to adoption. The form asks about genetic health conditions in the parent and their close relatives (within two degrees of blood relation), but completion is voluntary and cannot be required. After adoption, the agency must give this form to the adoptive parents while ensuring the biological parents' identity and location remain confidential. The law aims to provide adoptive families with relevant health information without compromising the privacy of biological parents.
Maddy summaryHD 1540 establishes a Pediatric Cancer Research and Resource Project Trust Fund in Massachusetts to provide grants for pediatric cancer research and support projects. The fund receives state appropriations, private donations, and interest, with unused balances carrying forward annually. It supports two types of projects: research focused on causes, prevention, or treatment of childhood cancer (capping operational costs at 5%), and resource projects offering education, awareness, or psychosocial support (also capping operational costs at 5%). A 7-member advisory committee, including cancer survivors and advocates, will manage grant allocations, and the Health and Human Services office must report annually to legislative committees on funded projects and outcomes.
By Representative Giannino of Revere, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 377) of Jessica Ann Giannino relative to group therapeutic care services and the establishment of a board of certification of group therapeutic specialists. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2682) amends Massachusetts law to expand protections for transit workers against assault and battery. It explicitly adds "public transit worker" to the list of protected employees under Section 13D of Chapter 265, and defines "assault and battery" to include attacks using bodily substances like blood, saliva, or urine. The law now treats such assaults as more severe offenses, with specific legal definitions clarifying what constitutes a "bodily substance." This directly affects transit workers by making assaults against them a distinct criminal violation under state law. The changes provide clearer legal grounds for prosecuting attacks on transit staff using bodily substances.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws to improve access to hearing aids by changing provider restrictions and requiring cost transparency. It removes the ban on ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists) and nonprofit healthcare facilities from selling hearing aids to patients they treat, while still requiring physicians to disclose all fees and costs upfront. Specifically, providers must give patients a written estimate of the total price - including the device, ear molds, batteries, and service fees - before selling. The bill directly affects hearing aid providers (audiologists, specialists, and clinics) and patients seeking affordable hearing solutions by reducing financial barriers and increasing clarity in pricing.
By Representative Giannino of Revere, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 959) of Jessica Ann Giannino relative to toxic air contaminant reduction. Environment and Natural Resources.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Chapter 41, Section 111F to require that government officers who use accrued leave while awaiting a determination of their 111F status have that leave restored if the final determination is favorable. It directly affects state employees whose 111F status (likely related to employment classification or benefits) is under review. The key provision automatically restores any accrued leave used during the waiting period if the officer's status is approved. This ensures no financial penalty for officers who take leave while their status is being processed. The bill is procedural, focusing on correcting leave balances rather than creating new benefits.
Maddy summaryHD 1536 establishes a 9-member commission within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to study dredging needs for recreational boating access in Massachusetts state waterways. The commission must report within one year with recommendations on funding dredging projects, streamlining permits, reducing costs, and identifying sediment disposal options, with specific focus on state-owned sediments. The advisory commission includes experts in recreational boating, environmental policy, and related fields, appointed by state leaders and officials. This bill directly affects recreational boaters by addressing barriers to accessing waterways, but does not fund or implement any dredging projects itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends pension eligibility for state police officers in Group 3 who suffer permanent disabilities from violent injuries sustained while on duty. It creates a new provision (subdivision 2½) allowing these officers to qualify for disability pensions if a physician confirms their permanent incapacity due to a work-related violent act injury, without their own negligence. The state board of retirement must receive a written report from a physician examining the officer before approving the pension. This directly affects active-duty state police officers in Group 3 who are permanently disabled by violent injuries occurring during official duties.