Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent commission in Massachusetts dedicated to improving educational opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native residents. The commission will consist of 17 members appointed by various state departments, including education, health, and social services, as well as the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. Members will serve two-year terms without pay but can be reimbursed for work-related expenses, and the group will operate independently from other state agencies. The commission's primary role is to investigate how public and private resources can be used to enhance educational support and services for these communities. Appointments will be made through an open process involving consultation with tribal governments and intertribal organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every school district in Massachusetts to create and update an annual professional development plan that includes specific training on racial and cultural bias. The training must address implicit bias, the effects of bias against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the classroom, and strategies for creating inclusive school environments. Additionally, districts with English learners must include second language acquisition techniques in their plans, and all proposals must be submitted to the state commissioner of education. The state commissioner is also tasked with developing a plan to provide statewide assistance and data on how these training programs are implemented across the commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education law to require schools to include specific Native American history and culture in their curriculum. It mandates that instruction cover the history and current issues of local tribes like the Wampanoag and Massachuset, as well as broader topics such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and genocide. The law also requires the state education board to consult with Native American communities when developing these new teaching standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Secretary of Equity within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to oversee efforts aimed at reducing health disparities. It defines "health equity" and "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by these disparities and requires the state health commissioner to include a chief health equity officer in their leadership team. The legislation also mandates that the health commissioner appoint at least one board member with specific professional experience related to health equity who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color. Additionally, the bill requires the state health commissioner to integrate health equity principles into all their official duties and powers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The coverage includes continuous labor support, home visits, assistance with appointments, and help connecting families to community resources. By adding this specific provision to Chapter 118E of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that state-funded health care plans include these supportive services for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Special Commission on Teacher Diversification in Massachusetts to address the lack of diversity in the state's teaching workforce, where teachers of color currently make up only about 10% of the staff despite students of color comprising over 40% of the K-12 population. The commission will study existing recruitment programs, identify best practices, and develop a long-term plan to increase the number of minority teachers, with a specific focus on gateway cities. The 21-member commission includes state officials, university representatives, and leaders from various education and teacher organizations to evaluate barriers and recommend strategies for enrolling more minority candidates in teacher preparation programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special citizens commission to investigate how Massachusetts can transition away from nuclear weapons production toward green technologies that address climate change. The commission will examine the state's current dependence on nuclear weapons-related jobs and investments, then propose financial and legal strategies to shift those resources to climate-focused industries while identifying necessary federal assistance. The eleven-member panel will be appointed by state officials and a coalition of peace and environmental groups, with strict rules ensuring no current employees of nuclear facilities serve on the group.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve gas safety and fairness for consumers by requiring utility companies to stop charging customers for gas lost due to leaks in their infrastructure. It mandates that gas companies repair certain hazardous leaks within six months and notify local fire and law enforcement officials within an hour of detection. Additionally, the legislation creates a process for property owners to claim damages from gas companies and requires utilities to pay for the replacement of trees damaged by leaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow Massachusetts towns and cities to pass local ordinances requiring new buildings and major renovations to be all-electric, meaning they cannot use natural gas, heating oil, or propane for heating, cooling, or cooking. The legislation defines "all-electric" as systems that rely on electricity or geothermal energy for these purposes while excluding fossil fuel infrastructure, with specific exceptions for vehicle fueling, mechanic shops, and emergency backup power. By giving municipalities the authority to mandate these standards, the bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting energy use away from fossil fuels in residential, commercial, and public structures. The rules apply to construction projects and major renovations where building permit applications are submitted on or after January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to help Massachusetts school districts afford zero-emission school buses by covering the price difference between these new vehicles and traditional diesel buses. The Department of Energy Resources will manage the initiative, which includes funding for purchasing buses and installing necessary charging infrastructure. Priority for funding will be given to communities with lower median incomes or higher rates of childhood asthma, and the state will also set up a centralized contract for schools to buy or lease these buses. The law requires the department to publish application details annually and report data on grants issued and environmental benefits achieved.