Rep. Joe McKenna

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to vocational-technical education in Massachusetts by requiring middle and junior high schools to create specific access policies that ensure all students, including English language learners and students with disabilities, receive information about career and technical training opportunities. Key provisions mandate that vocational schools allow middle school students to tour their facilities during the school day with transportation costs covered by the hosting school, and that schools provide contact information for students to receive program details via mail and email. The legislation also establishes a new oversight authority with specialized members to guide vocational education planning and updates state committees to include representatives from vocational education organizations. Additionally, the bill requires districts to annually submit and implement these access policies while providing technical support to schools seeking to expand vocational programs that meet local labor market needs.

Maddy summaryHD 849 creates a competitive grant program to fund capital and equipment for expanding high-demand vocational-technical education (Chapter 74) programs in Massachusetts. It provides up to $100 million annually for three years to schools (including vocational-technical, agricultural, and comprehensive high schools with five or more Chapter 74 programs) in regions with enrollment waitlists, prioritizing schools in Gateway Cities or with strong employer ties. The bill also increases state reimbursement rates for vocational school construction projects to 75-90% of costs, with additional boosts for programs aligned with regional labor market needs. Additionally, it requires middle schools to establish access policies ensuring equitable outreach and tours to vocational programs for all students, including underrepresented groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 279) grants employers absolute immunity from civil lawsuits when sharing specific employee information with prospective employers. Employers may disclose details like employment dates, pay level, job duties, wage history, written evaluations, and separation reasons (voluntary/involuntary) without legal liability. The law applies to all disclosures made after its effective date and directly affects current and former employers providing references. It does not restrict what information can be shared, only shields employers from lawsuits related to such disclosures.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 5711) adjusts the pension calculation for Shannon LaPorta, the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge police officer Stephen LaPorta. It directs the Worcester Regional Retirement System to calculate her annual pension based on Stephen’s rank as a sergeant at the time of his death, overriding standard pension rules. The bill specifically affects Shannon LaPorta and does not change general pension laws for other officers. It takes effect January 8, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the roundabout at the intersection of Routes 146 and 16 in Uxbridge as the "Officer Stephen A. LaPorta Memorial Roundabout" to honor a local officer. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation would install a memorial stone and plaque there, coordinating with Uxbridge town and police officials on placement and design. It is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes, solely recognizing an individual through public space naming.

Maddy summaryHD 688 creates a task force to study how to fund assistance for homeowners struggling with crumbling foundations. The task force will examine costs of materials, geographic hotspots, inspection expenses, existing state funding models, and administrative costs. It must include housing officials, insurance representatives, property managers, and housing authority members, and submit recommendations by July 31, 2027. This bill directly affects homeowners in areas with foundation issues and aims to identify a sustainable funding source through a formal study process.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary wage requirement for minors under 18 working limited hours. It applies to young workers who need a work permit and work 20 hours or less per week with a new employer. During their first 120 hours of employment (a "training period"), these workers must be paid at least $10 per hour, overriding standard minimum wage rules for this specific group. The provision expires after 120 hours, after which regular wage laws apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends hunting regulations to remove bow and arrow from the list of permitted weapons for Sunday hunting. It specifically deletes "bow and arrow" from the authorized equipment list (Section 57) and adds a prohibition against hunting with bows on Sundays. The bill directly affects hunters who currently use bows for Sunday hunting in this state. These changes effectively ban bow hunting on Sundays, restricting it to only shotgun use during that day. The policy change clarifies that bows are no longer permitted for Sunday hunting under this law.

Maddy summaryHD 978 amends state law to expand eligibility for a parks pass waiver from only Purple Heart recipients to all veterans. Currently, the waiver applies exclusively to Purple Heart recipients under Chapter 132A Section 2D, but this bill would add "a veteran" to the qualifying categories. As a result, any veteran meeting the state's definition would qualify for the waiver, including those without a Purple Heart. The bill does not alter the existing waiver for Purple Heart recipients but broadens coverage to include all veterans.

Maddy summaryHD 276 allows motorcycle operators with suspended licenses to request hardship licenses through existing hearing processes, expanding eligibility beyond cars. It also clarifies that motorcycles qualify as "vehicles" for alcohol interlock device requirements, meaning riders with DUI convictions could install these devices on motorcycles. The bill directly affects motorcycle owners facing license suspensions due to DUI or similar violations. It amends two sections of Massachusetts motor vehicle law (Sections 24 and 24½) to include motorcycles in these provisions without changing existing eligibility rules.