Maddy summaryThis bill designates foster parents as public employees for specific legal purposes, granting them the right to collective bargaining with the Department of Children and Families. Under the new provisions, an employee organization representing all licensed foster parents in the state would negotiate on mandatory subjects such as payment rates, training opportunities, and reimbursement procedures for specialized care. While foster parents gain these bargaining rights, the legislation explicitly prohibits them from striking or engaging in work stoppages and clarifies that they remain ineligible for standard state employee benefits like workers' compensation or retirement. The Department of Children and Families is tasked with cooperating with these parents to improve the quality of care provided to children in the system.
Rep. Jim Hawkins
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to make child support enforcement more family-centered by clarifying when parents can avoid penalties for not cooperating with support agencies. It specifically allows individuals receiving public assistance to refuse paternity establishment or support orders if there is a risk of physical or emotional harm, the child was conceived through rape or incest, or cooperation would discourage other relatives from maintaining a relationship with the child. Additionally, the bill ensures that the first $500 of monthly child support collected for a family is excluded from income calculations when determining benefit eligibility. Finally, it restricts the state's child support agency from providing paternity services in cases where the individual is not legally required to cooperate.
By Representative Garlick of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2528) of Denise C. Garlick and others relative to the presumption for disability or death cause by contagious diseases. Public Service.
By Representative Moran of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2611) of Michael J. Moran and others relative to the collective bargaining rights for employees of the Committee on Public Counsel Services. Public Service.
By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2550) of James K. Hawkins and Vanna Howard relative to the employment of retired firefighters as training instructors by the Department of Fire Services. Public Service.
By Representative McGonagle of Everett, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2594) of Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr., and others relative to a post-traumatic stress disorder presumption for certain retirement benefits. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts election laws to use gender-neutral language, replacing specific male pronouns like "him," "his," and "he" with neutral terms such as "them," "their," and "they." It directly affects the official text of the state's election statutes by amending multiple sections to ensure descriptions of candidates, officials, and roles are inclusive of all genders. The legislation removes gendered terms like "chairmen" and "alderman," substituting them with "chairpersons" and "alderperson" to reflect modern standards of inclusivity. By making these specific word-for-word changes, the bill ensures that election records and legal documents do not assume a male gender for any position or individual.
By Representative Biele of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2443) of David Biele and others for legislation to expand the cancer presumption for firefighters. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to update the rules for licensing social workers in Massachusetts to ensure fair treatment and clearer pathways for those seeking certification. It modifies existing state laws by removing gendered language, eliminating redundant exam requirements, and creating a new provisional license for applicants who have failed the social work associate exam twice but are within a specific score range. Under the new provisions, individuals granted this provisional license would have one year to complete required professional development and supervision before receiving a full license without needing to retake the exam. The changes directly affect social work applicants, current licensees, and the Board of Social Work Examiners by streamlining the licensure process and standardizing terminology.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants employees of the Committee for Public Counsel Services the right to collectively bargain by officially designating the committee as their employer under state labor laws. It achieves this by amending Chapter 150E to include the committee in the legal definition of a public employer and by adding the committee to the list of state agencies eligible for collective bargaining agreements. These changes allow the committee's staff to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions through a formal union process similar to other public sector employees.