Rep. Brian Ashe

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for Massachusetts businesses that donate food to nonprofits serving the needy, and provides liability protection for donors and recipients. Businesses can claim a non-refundable tax credit equal to the fair market value of donated food (capped at $25,000 annually), provided the food is distributed without charge or at minimal cost to cover handling. It also shields donors and nonprofit food distributors from civil liability for injuries related to donated food (including expired "open-dated" food), unless the food was adulterated or donated under gross negligence. To claim the credit, businesses must attach a certification from the nonprofit confirming the food was distributed per the bill’s requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4536) extends the retention period for rape evidence kits from the current standard to 15 years and creates a new exception to the statute of limitations for rape cases. It directly affects victims of sexual assault and law enforcement by allowing prosecutors to file charges years after the crime if the perpetrator's identity is confirmed through DNA evidence collected during the original investigation. The key provision states that charges for specific rape offenses (under Chapter 265 sections 22-23B) can be filed at any time if DNA from the original evidence identifies the suspect after the standard time limit expires. This change aims to support cases where DNA evidence becomes available later, without requiring the original investigation to have been completed within the usual timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts schools (public, private, charter, and religious) to adopt formal abuse prevention policies and implement specific safety measures. It mandates biennial training for school staff on recognizing, preventing, and reporting abuse or sexual misconduct, and requires age-appropriate student education on boundaries, healthy relationships, and reporting concerns. Schools must also conduct thorough background checks on applicants for positions involving direct student contact, including verifying employment history and any past investigations into misconduct allegations. The bill directly affects educators, school staff, and students by establishing standardized safety protocols and reporting procedures across all school settings.

Maddy summaryHD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 741) of Paul R. Feeney, James B. Eldridge, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven S. Howitt and others for legislation to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. It provides funding for institutions to implement campus food support programs, including partnerships with meal vendors that accept federal nutrition benefits and student meal credit sharing systems. The program requires participating colleges to meet specific criteria, such as designating staff to assist students with food assistance programs and establishing campus awareness initiatives. A dedicated "Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund" will manage the grants, with annual reports tracking participating schools, student engagement, and program outcomes.

Maddy summaryH 4408 establishes a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. The bill creates a "Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund" to provide grants to eligible institutions - including minority-serving colleges and municipally administered schools - to support on-campus food assistance programs. Participating schools must meet specific requirements, such as designating staff to connect students with federal food aid, accepting nutrition benefits at campus vendors, and implementing meal-sharing initiatives. The program requires annual reporting on grant usage, campus activities, and student outcomes to track progress toward reducing food insecurity among students.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board to allow Mary Donna Nodurf to purchase up to 4 years of creditable service for maternity leave. To do this, she must pay in full (equal to past deductions plus interest) within one year, or her benefit will be recalculated using the system's investment rate. Once paid, her retirement benefit will be recalculated to include the purchased maternity leave service effective from her payment date. The bill specifically applies only to Mary Donna Nodurf and modifies her individual retirement calculation.

Maddy summaryHD 773 changes Massachusetts' kindergarten enrollment rule to require children to be 5 years old by September of the school year they start. It directly affects all public school children entering kindergarten in the state. The bill amends the law to set the cutoff date as the calendar year in which a child turns 5, meaning a child turning 5 in August would start kindergarten that September. This standardizes the enrollment age requirement across school districts.

Maddy summaryHD 2856 amends Massachusetts dangerous dog laws to address incidents where dogs bite and break skin. It requires animal control or hearing authorities to seek court-ordered impoundment for such dogs beyond quarantine periods, mandates strict confinement rules (e.g., 6-foot fenced yards with indoor access and no escape hazards), and requires basket muzzles for leashed dogs during hearings. The bill also adds new requirements for behavior modification plans using evidence-based methods (prohibiting shock collars) and bans transferring dog ownership during complaints. This directly affects dog owners, municipalities, and animal control officers by creating specific, enforceable safety protocols for dogs involved in biting incidents.