By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2866) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to the classification and taxation of urban public access land. Revenue.
By Representative Capano of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2725) of Peter Capano and others relative to requiring public disclosures by publicly-traded corporate taxpayers. Revenue.
By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2744) of Mike Connolly and others for legislation to repeal the law providing for limitations on the growth of state tax revenues. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that legal parentage rights apply equally to all families, regardless of the parents' gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. It replaces gender-specific terms like "father" and "mother" with neutral language such as "other parent" and "person who gave birth," while also changing "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the statutes. The legislation introduces new definitions for various family arrangements, including surrogacy and assisted reproduction, to clarify how different types of parents are recognized under the law. By amending existing chapters on birth certificates and family law, the bill aims to provide consistent legal protections for children born through diverse circumstances, including those resulting from surrogacy or non-marital births.
By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3366) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and others for legislation to require that new electric vehicles purchased by regional transit authorities be electric vehicles. Transportation.
By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3078) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Deborah B. Goldberg and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to further regulate certain operations of the Department of the State Treasurer. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3004) of Tackey Chan and others relative to making Presidential election days state holidays. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3120) of Erika Uyterhoeven, Carol A. Doherty and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to the state conflict of interest law and travel gifts. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs state agencies to simplify the language on their websites so that information is easy for the average resident to understand. It requires the chief digital officer to ensure web content covers common public issues and matches the reading level of Massachusetts residents as determined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Additionally, the law mandates that these agencies provide non-digital alternatives, such as printed materials, for the simplified information. The changes apply to all executive offices and agencies within the Commonwealth.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a digital system called an "electronic backpack" to store and share educational records for children in foster care. The system would compile essential information such as school attendance, grades, transcripts, and contact details for case workers and educational decision-makers to ensure continuity when a child moves between schools. Once established, the electronic backpack would be accessible to teachers, authorized guardians, and medical providers who need to support the child's education and well-being. The legislation requires the department to develop specific rules for the system's format and function and mandates that the program be fully implemented within one year of the bill's passage.
