Rep. Dave Rogers

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update how justices of the peace can advertise their services. It changes the gendered language in the statute to include "her" alongside "his" and adds "email address" to the list of contact information justices may provide. The legislation also expands the definition of acceptable advertising channels to include modern digital platforms like websites, social media, and digital video, while removing a requirement to mention business cards. These changes directly affect justices of the peace by allowing them to use contemporary communication methods to reach the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts parole board to grant release to eligible prisoners unless they can prove with clear and convincing evidence that they will re-offend. The decision must be based on structured, actuarial guidelines and risk assessments that factor in a prisoner's participation in work, education, and treatment programs, as well as their good behavior. It also mandates that prisoners with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations and specialized medical evaluations to determine if their condition affects their ability to succeed on parole. Additionally, the law ensures that individuals granted parole who need specialized care due to illness or disability will be placed in appropriate housing within 60 days, preventing incarceration solely because a suitable home plan cannot be found.

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 requires insurance providers in Massachusetts to cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment, increasing the current mandatory coverage from 14 days. The legislation directly affects health insurance companies and individuals seeking residential addiction care by mandating longer stays under existing state laws. It achieves this change by amending multiple sections of the Massachusetts General Laws to replace the number 14 with 30 across various insurance and health care statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect employees from being fired or denied hiring solely because they tested positive for marijuana metabolites in their blood or urine. It allows employers to take adverse action only if there is probable cause to believe the employee is currently impaired at work and poses a risk of harm to others, or if the employee holds a professional license that prohibits marijuana use. The legislation explicitly states that these protections do not override any existing federal laws or regulations that employers must follow.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that insurance plans in Massachusetts cover services provided by certified nurse-midwives at the same reimbursement rate as those provided by licensed physicians. It applies to state employee health plans, public health insurance programs, and private individual or group hospital service plans operating within the state. The legislation ensures that insurers cannot lower payments for nurse-midwife services to comply with the new coverage requirements, effectively treating these services as equal to physician services for billing purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts' Safe Drivers Insurance Plan to allow drivers with one minor traffic violation to remain eligible for the plan's benefits. Under the new rules, a driver qualifies if they have no surchargeable incidents or exactly one incident with two or fewer unsafe driver points within the five years before their insurance rate year. The change aims to expand access to the program by including drivers who have committed minor infractions, such as a single speeding ticket, provided the violation does not carry a high point penalty. Directly affected individuals are drivers who previously might have been excluded from the plan due to a minor violation but now meet the updated criteria. The legislation focuses on adjusting eligibility requirements without altering the core structure of the insurance program itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to eliminate Massachusetts' no-fault motor vehicle insurance system, which currently requires drivers to carry personal injury protection coverage regardless of who caused an accident. By repealing specific sections of state laws, the legislation would remove the mandate for this type of insurance and alter how personal injury claims are handled after car crashes. The change would directly affect all drivers and vehicle owners in the state by shifting the legal framework for seeking compensation for injuries sustained in traffic accidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that all automobile insurance policies sold in Massachusetts use a standardized text approved by the state insurance commissioner to ensure clarity and consistency for consumers. It mandates that any changes to existing policy coverage, conditions, or definitions must undergo a public notice and hearing process before being approved. Additionally, the legislation prohibits policies from containing specific exceptions or exclusions regarding accidents or injuries and requires the commissioner to provide written reasons for any disapproval of a policy form. These rules apply to all motor vehicle liability policies issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to set performance standards for reducing household waste and requires local municipalities to report annual waste disposal data per resident. Under the new rules, towns disposing of more than 500 pounds of waste per person annually must implement specific cost-saving reduction programs within a year. The legislation also mandates that the state issue annual reports on waste statistics and gives the department authority to create a statewide waste reduction program if local efforts fail to lower average per capita disposal below the 500-pound threshold by 2025.