Rep. Bruce Ayers

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow businesses to register for the state's "Do Not Call" list, which currently only covers residential phone numbers. By redefining the term "consumer" to include corporations and other entities, the legislation expands the list's scope to protect businesses from unwanted telemarketing calls. The changes remove the word "residential" from specific sections of the existing statute and replace instances of "person" with "consumer" to ensure businesses are legally recognized as eligible subscribers. Consequently, businesses operating in the state would gain the ability to opt out of unsolicited sales calls just as individual homeowners can.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to regulate the practice of body art, which includes tattooing, piercing, branding, and other forms of skin modification. It directly affects individuals offering these services and the facilities where they are performed by requiring them to obtain a permit from the Department of Public Health. Key provisions define strict standards for hygiene, mandating the use of sterilization equipment like autoclaves, proper disposal of contaminated waste, and the provision of written aftercare instructions to clients. The legislation also creates a licensing framework that allows for an apprentice license program to train new practitioners under supervision. Overall, the bill aims to ensure safety and sanitation in body art establishments through clear definitions and operational requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure special needs students receive the same accommodations on the MCAS exam that they use in their daily classroom learning. The key provision requires that any accommodations a student has established for their education must be provided during the standardized testing process. This change directly affects students with disabilities and the educators who support them by aligning test conditions with their regular academic environment. The legislation aims to maintain consistency between classroom instruction and high-stakes assessments for these students.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance companies in Massachusetts to offer rebates or partial premium refunds to drivers who maintain safe driving records without any surchargeable incidents. Under the new rules, insurers must make these incentives available to all eligible policyholders and must submit their rebate plans to the state commissioner for approval before implementation. The legislation amends existing state laws to remove previous restrictions that prevented such rebate programs, giving insurance providers the flexibility to create these reward systems for safe drivers.

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4534) of Tackey Chan, Bruce J. Ayers and John F. Keenan (with the approval of the mayor and the city council) relative to the retirement of Kevin Bythrow by the retirement board of the city of Quincy. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in Massachusetts to register on the state's "Do Not Call" list, which currently restricts unsolicited telemarketing calls. By amending existing consumer protection laws, the legislation redefines who qualifies as a "consumer" to include corporations and other entities that use telephone services. The key mechanism involves removing the word "residential" from specific sections of the law and replacing instances of "person" with "consumer" to ensure businesses are covered. Consequently, businesses that opt into the registry would be legally protected from receiving unwanted telemarketing calls, just as individual residents are.

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4535) of Tackey Chan, Bruce J. Ayers and John F. Keenan (with the approval of the mayor and the city council) that the city of Quincy be authorized to appoint retired firefighters as special firefighters in said city. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Long Island and Moon Island as permanent state-owned park lands dedicated to passive recreation, open space preservation, and habitat protection for native oysters and wetlands. It directs the state to acquire full ownership of these islands by June 30, 2025, while allowing existing recreational and rehabilitation facilities to remain through lease agreements. The legislation also ensures that Long Island remains listed on the state register of historic places.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to investigate the long-term management and future use of Boston Harbor's Long and Moon Islands. The commission will include representatives from the state legislature, Boston and Quincy mayors, local city councils, the National Park Service, environmental agencies, and community groups. Within 180 days, the group must submit a report on preserving Moon Island and a non-binding master plan for Long Island, with final recommendations due by December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game to evaluate whether the former Moon Island Sewage Treatment Plant in Boston Harbor can be converted into a fish and shellfish farm. The study would specifically examine the use of the site's large, deep granite storage tanks for aquaculture, which proponents suggest could improve local water quality and support marine life. The report must be completed by December 15, 2024, and shared with city and state officials, including mayors and conservation commissions. Additionally, the proposal includes plans for the facility to serve as an educational resource for public and private schools.