Rep. Kristin Kassner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires home inspectors to inform buyers and renters about potential pyrite or pyrrhotite issues in concrete foundations. It also mandates that anyone seeking a license to mine or produce concrete aggregate must submit a geological report and test results for these minerals. Additionally, the legislation establishes a Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to support the implementation of these new safety requirements.

Senate, January 2, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to fentanyl test strips (Senate, No. 2458),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2543).

Senate, October 10, 2023 -- The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 926) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to fentanyl test strips; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1736) of David M. Rogers, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to fentanyl test strips, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2458).

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to strengthen domestic violence protections in Massachusetts by formally defining "coercive control" as a specific pattern of behavior. It directly affects individuals experiencing abuse by legally recognizing actions such as isolating a partner from support networks, monitoring their finances or movements, and using threats to restrict their safety or autonomy. The legislation clarifies that these behaviors constitute abuse even if they do not involve physical violence, while explicitly stating that defensive actions taken to protect oneself or children do not count as coercive control. By adding this definition to state law, the bill seeks to ensure that courts and law enforcement can identify and address these non-physical forms of abuse more effectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove criminal penalties for possessing fentanyl test strips. It specifically updates the legal definition of prohibited items to include these testing products, which are used to detect dangerous levels of fentanyl in substances before consumption. The change directly affects individuals who currently face potential arrest and fines for owning these strips, aiming to reduce legal risks associated with harm reduction practices. By clarifying that these items are not illegal, the legislation seeks to align state statutes with public health efforts to prevent overdoses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove fentanyl test strips from the legal definition of drug paraphernalia. It directly affects individuals who possess, provide, or use these testing devices by protecting them from criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and professional disciplinary actions. The legislation explicitly states that people acting in good faith to determine if a substance contains fentanyl will not face liability, though this protection does not extend to cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct. By reclassifying these tools, the bill aims to reduce legal barriers to their use without changing any other existing regulations.