Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa

Maddy summaryThis bill amends campaign finance laws to allow candidates running for public office to count expenses for professional adult-care services as campaign costs. It defines "adult-care services" as care for a candidate's parent or adult dependent provided by professional organizations (not family members, unless the family member runs a licensed service), including costs directly tied to campaign activities. The law specifically permits these care expenses to be included in campaign finances, such as payments to non-profit or for-profit caregiving providers. It directly affects candidates who need to cover caregiving costs for relatives while campaigning, making those expenses deductible under campaign finance rules. The bill requires the campaign finance director to issue implementing regulations within 90 days.

Maddy summaryHD 3502 requires health care employers (including hospitals, teaching hospitals, certain correctional facilities, and other specific health care settings) to create and maintain workplace violence prevention programs. Each year, employers must conduct risk assessments with employee input, develop written prevention plans covering training and reporting systems, designate a senior manager for crisis response, and submit annual incident reports to the state. The law prohibits retaliation against employees who report safety concerns and imposes fines of up to $2,000 per violation for non-compliance. These programs aim to protect employees, emergency medical personnel, and others working in health care facilities from violence risks.

Maddy summaryHD 1221 prohibits publishers from including contract terms that prevent libraries from sharing license details with others or require violating patron privacy. It directly affects public libraries, publishers, and library patrons by ensuring transparency and protecting privacy in digital resource agreements. The bill also creates a special commission to study digital library costs, patron satisfaction, privacy practices, and state approaches, requiring a final report by December 2026. The commission will recommend actions to support diverse digital collections, improve access, and uphold libraries' mission in a digital era.

Maddy summaryHD 2370 creates a legal privilege protecting confidential communications between Massachusetts employees and their labor unions during representation matters. It directly affects employees seeking union assistance, current union members, and union representatives by shielding discussions about organizing, grievances, bargaining, or workplace issues from forced disclosure. The bill establishes new protections in Massachusetts General Laws (Section 20P), covering communications between employees and unions, employees and union attorneys, and internal union deliberations. Exceptions include communications related to crimes/fraud, breach of duty claims, or documented evidence where a union rep is an attesting witness. This privilege applies across all relevant labor laws governing unions (chapters 150A, 150E, and 161A).

Maddy summaryH 4746 establishes Massachusetts' first comprehensive consumer data privacy law, directly affecting businesses operating in the state that collect personal data ("controllers"). The law requires businesses to obtain clear "affirmative consent" from Massachusetts residents before collecting or selling their personal data, prohibiting manipulative "dark patterns" and ensuring consent requests are transparent, specific, and accessible. Key provisions include strict definitions for data types (like biometric data), rules for "contextual advertising" that doesn't track individuals, and requirements for businesses to honor consumer rights to access, delete, or opt out of data processing. The law applies to all businesses serving Massachusetts residents, with specific protections for children's data and health/wellness information.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits real estate brokers and landlords from charging tenants fees for services like showings, document preparation, or tenant screening when renting residential properties in Massachusetts. It bans landlords from requiring tenants to hire a broker or pay broker fees as a condition of renting. Violations are considered unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, with fines up to $1,000 per violation. The law directly affects tenants, landlords, and brokers in residential rental transactions across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits golf carts to operate on Hatfield's public roads (excluding sidewalks) under specific rules. It requires registration with the town clerk, proof of insurance, a safety inspection, and a valid driver's license (or a licensed passenger for learner's permit holders). Key restrictions include a 20 mph speed limit, no alcohol use or open containers, no operation between sunset and sunrise without special permission, and mandatory seat belts. The law directly affects Hatfield residents using golf carts for local travel, with the town authorized to set fines for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Massachusetts' first comprehensive data privacy law, directly affecting businesses that collect personal information from residents. It requires covered entities (primarily commercial businesses handling personal data) to obtain clear, specific consent for data processing - banning deceptive practices like "dark patterns" that trick users into sharing information. Key provisions include strict rules for handling biometric data, prohibiting the use of broad terms of service as consent, and creating new definitions for terms like "data broker." Small businesses with under $20 million annual revenue and certain nonprofits are exempt from most requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Municipal Building Authority to create a program providing financial assistance to towns for constructing and maintaining municipal buildings, such as town halls, community centers, and public facilities. It funds the program through a dedicated 0.5% sales tax on retail sales and services, deposited into a trust fund managed by the state treasurer. The authority will disburse funds directly to municipalities for projects addressing community needs, including downtown development, open space, and safe facility upgrades, without requiring annual state appropriations. The authority, composed of state officials and appointed experts in building construction and municipal management, will oversee the program to ensure cost-effective, well-planned investments in public infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 947) requires all Massachusetts public schools - including cities, towns, regional districts, vocational schools, and charters - to file biennial reports on sexual health education. The reports must detail curriculum names, hours taught, student enrollment, and withdrawals, and be submitted to the education board. It also mandates that schools adopt written parental notification policies explaining the curriculum, withdrawal rights, and material inspection options, while ensuring students withdrawn face no penalties and have access to alternative activities. The curriculum must be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive of topics like consent, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ resources, aligning with state health education standards.