By Representatives Moran of Lawrence and Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Frank A. Moran, Adam J. Scanlon and others for legislation to establish a special task force (including members of the General Court) to review and report on vocational admissions policies. Education.
By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 109) of James C. Arena-DeRosa and others relative to farming and damages caused by PFAS. Agriculture.
Maddy summaryHD 3435 establishes a Municipal Creative Space Trust Fund to help cities and towns preserve affordable spaces for artists and creative workers. The bill defines "creative space" as areas primarily used for artistic creation and practice (like studios or workshops) and "presentation space" for showcasing art, while allowing land use restrictions - such as resale price controls - to maintain affordability for low- and moderate-income artists. Municipalities can use zoning fees, private contributions, and general revenues to fund the trust, which may purchase, lease, or maintain properties meeting these definitions to support the local creative economy.
Maddy summaryHD 2277 creates the "Program for Local Art and Community Engagement" (PLACE) program in Massachusetts. It establishes a 9-member PLACE Commission (with appointed members from arts, community groups, and state agencies) and a PLACE Fund funded by 0.5% of public construction/renovation project costs (capped at $300,000 per project, adjusted annually for inflation). The fund supports public art projects - including design, installation, and maintenance - requiring local community input for each project and prioritizing artists and geographic diversity across the state. The Commission must report annually on fund usage to state legislative committees by September 1 each year.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new regulations for employers using artificial intelligence in employment decisions within Massachusetts. It defines key terms like "Automated Decision System" (ADS) as any AI tool making hiring, promotion, or workplace decisions, and restricts how employers can collect or use sensitive employee data - including biometrics, health information, and productivity tracking. Employers must disclose ADS use and obtain consent for certain data collection, while prohibiting the use of AI tools for decisions affecting wages, benefits, or job access without transparency. The law directly affects all Massachusetts employers and workers whose data is processed by such systems.
Maddy summaryH 4831 requires all local, regional, and state public meetings to offer free, accessible remote participation and viewing. It mandates that remote attendees can vote, count toward quorum, and access meetings without fees or barriers - including captioning and disability accommodations per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Public bodies must post meeting notices online 48 hours in advance (excluding holidays), and state meetings must be recorded and posted within 10 business days. The bill updates notice requirements for different government bodies and ensures remote access is available to all, including people with disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to include a one-semester civic education course as a graduation requirement starting with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates that the curriculum cover U.S. and state government structures, citizen rights/responsibilities (including voting), civic movement history, and community engagement projects. The state education department must develop a standardized, inclusive curriculum and provide resources for schools, while also supporting student voter registration through campus drives and partnerships with local election offices. Schools must report annually on implementation progress and student engagement metrics.
Maddy summaryMassCore (HD 1731) establishes a required high school curriculum program for all Massachusetts students entering 9th grade in 2027-2028. It mandates specific course units: 4 English, 4 math, 3 science, 3 history, 2 world language, 1 arts, and 5 electives, aligned with state standards. The bill includes provisions for waivers for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and newly enrolled students, and requires school districts to report readiness and financial impacts by 2025. Implementation will be guided by an advisory council representing diverse stakeholders, with funding requests for districts facing financial hardship.
By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 517) of Natalie M. Blais and others relative to rural schools. Education.
By Representative Fiola of Fall River, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 572) of Carole A. Fiola and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education in public schools. Education.
