By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 305) of Paul W. Mark and Julian Cyr for legislation to encourage businesses to give their employees a stake in the company, often through stock options or Employee Stock Ownership. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
Maddy summaryHD 2036 creates a 6-member advisory panel to investigate sand mining's impacts on public health and the environment. The panel includes experts in GIS, ecology, community advocacy, hydrology, and Indigenous environmental justice, appointed by state leaders and the Governor. It will study sand mining effects on drinking water, Environmental Justice communities, climate resilience, and air pollution (including silica exposure) over two years. The panel's findings will inform potential regulatory changes to mining licensing laws under Chapter 21B, Section 5, aimed at protecting water, health, and the environment.
Maddy summaryHD 1760 amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions related to sexual assault by law enforcement officers. It defines "control" to include supervising minors in training, interacting with suspects during investigations, or implying arrest power, and defines "coercion" to include threats of harm, schemes causing fear, or abuse of legal processes. The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to create and publicly post policies within 180 days prohibiting officers from engaging in sexual contact with suspects in prostitution investigations. These policies must specifically ban such conduct during active investigations. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and officers interacting with suspects.
Maddy summaryHD 3609 bans advertising of non-compliant beverages (drinks not meeting USDA nutrition standards under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act) at all school properties, including buildings, fields, vending machines, and uniforms, and prohibits school-based incentives tied to purchasing such drinks. It also requires chain restaurants (20+ locations) to display clear warnings on menus for items exceeding daily added sugar limits, using a specific icon and text explanation. The bill mandates media literacy education in schools (grades 3-12) to help students analyze advertising for food, beverages, and other products. These provisions directly affect school districts, students, and chain restaurants operating in Massachusetts.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 216) of Marjorie C. Decker, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Samantha Montaño relative to emergency housing assistance for children and families experiencing homelessness. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 994) of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1016) of Michael O. Moore, Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the Preventing Algorithmic Rent Fixing in the Rental Housing Market Act., report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2983).
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a drought management task force within the state office to coordinate water supply efforts during dry periods. The task force will include representatives from multiple state agencies, water authorities, and public organizations, meeting monthly when drought conditions exist. It establishes a process for declaring drought levels, implementing water conservation measures like limiting outdoor water use, and enforcing these restrictions across cities and towns. The bill also requires the development of a statewide drought management plan that is reviewed and updated regularly with public input.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to prevent companies from using software to coordinate rental prices among landlords. It defines "service providers" as any entity that collects rental data and recommends prices to landlords, and prohibits landlords from paying these services to set or influence rent amounts. The law also bans agreements among landlords not to compete with each other on pricing and makes it easier for tenants to sue for violations by removing barriers like arbitration clauses and class-action waivers. Landlords who violate the rules could face legal penalties, and successful plaintiffs would be entitled to recover their legal costs and attorney fees.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, which are blood-thinning pesticides, by limiting their registration and allowing emergency use only under strict conditions. It directly affects pest control professionals, public health officials, and property owners who manage rodent infestations. The key provisions ban the registration of these chemicals except for emergencies, require their use to be limited to 14 days in a single location, mandate non-chemical pest control methods, and require detailed reporting to the state department. Additionally, the bill establishes annual public reporting on where and how these pesticides were used during emergency situations. The restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2028.
Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes the six fundamental rights for individuals in mental health and substance use treatment facilities by updating state law to expand access to communication, visitors, and personal living spaces. It ensures people can make confidential phone calls, send and receive mail without censorship, receive visitors daily, and have private access to personal care items that respect their gender identity. The legislation also clarifies when rights can be temporarily suspended, requires facilities to establish clear rules for suspensions, and creates a new enforcement system with fines and a dedicated fund to support affected individuals. Additionally, it expands the list of professionals who can visit patients and strengthens accountability by mandating penalties for facilities that violate these rights.
