Rep. Joe McKenna

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. The change updates Chapter 151B to clarify that the term refers to hatred toward Jews and includes specific descriptions of how such hatred can be expressed through rhetoric or actions against individuals, property, and community institutions. By incorporating this external standard, the legislation provides a consistent framework for identifying antisemitism within the state's legal and administrative contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to ensure foster children receive federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security retirement or disability payments, and veterans benefits. It requires the Department of Children and Families to actively screen for eligibility within 60 days of a child entering care and to apply for these benefits on the child's behalf if they qualify. The legislation also mandates that the department only act as the representative payee or fiduciary for these funds when no other suitable candidate is available and when doing so does not hinder family reunification efforts. Additionally, the bill establishes a requirement for annual reviews of cases to identify any new benefit eligibility that may have arisen since the initial assessment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts to offer drive-up curbside pickup services for both medical and recreational customers. To operate such a service, a dispensary must obtain approval from the local city or town and follow any existing local rules regarding curbside pickup. The law specifically permits both external and internal curbside pickup options for the sale of cannabis products.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mathew J. Muratore and others for legislation to authorize insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and orthotic devices. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Children and Families to actively identify and apply for federal benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income, on behalf of children in foster care. It mandates that the department manage these funds as a representative payee, ensuring money is used for the child's unmet needs and saved in special accounts to protect eligibility limits. The legislation also establishes strict rules prohibiting the use of these benefits to pay for the child's foster care placement and requires the department to provide regular financial updates to the child and their legal counsel. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for transitioning these funds to the child or a new payee when the youth ages out of the system or reunifies with their family.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill shifts the authority to issue liquor licenses from the state to local cities and towns in Massachusetts. It allows municipalities to decide how many licenses they will grant and sets new rules for how these licenses are managed, such as making them non-transferable and requiring their physical return if a business closes. The legislation also gives local governments the power to determine operating hours for bars and special event permits based on their specific needs. Additionally, the bill changes how licenses are re-issued at the same location, ensuring that any new owner at that site is not automatically linked to past tax or legal issues of the previous owner.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pregnant individuals in Massachusetts to enroll in state health insurance plans within 30 days of confirming their pregnancy, rather than waiting for the end of a standard open enrollment period. To qualify, the pregnancy must be certified by a licensed healthcare provider, and if enrolled, the health coverage would begin on the first day of the month that certification is received. The law applies to all qualified health plans available through the state health insurance exchange and is designed to ensure timely access to care during pregnancy. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws to clarify that homeowners are allowed to perform electrical work on their own single-family primary residences without needing to be licensed electricians. It achieves this by removing language that previously restricted such work to those "for hire" and adding a specific provision that prevents electrical inspectors from rejecting permits for owner-occupied single-family homes. The changes directly affect homeowners who wish to undertake electrical projects themselves, ensuring they can obtain necessary permits without proving professional certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from charging unconscionably excessive prices for essential health-related items, such as masks, disinfectants, and over-the-counter medications, during a declared public health emergency in Massachusetts. It defines a price as excessive if it rises more than fifteen percent above the cost charged immediately before the emergency, unless the seller can prove that out-of-control costs forced the increase. To enforce these rules, the Attorney General or District Attorney can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to twenty-five thousand dollars per offense, along with the forfeiture of profits from the illegal transactions. The law applies to all sellers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and takes effect immediately upon passage.