Rep. Tackey Chan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cosmetology and barbering shops, schools, and mobile businesses in Massachusetts to display a specific warning sign about human trafficking. The sign must include the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number and explain that forced labor is a crime, while also offering the option to remain anonymous. To ensure accessibility, the notice must be printed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and any other languages the state board recommends. The sign must be at least eight and a half inches high and eleven inches wide, with the English text covering at least half of the space, and it must be placed where it is clearly visible to both the public and employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Board of Registration of Behavior Analysts within the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure to regulate the practice of behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. The board will consist of nine members appointed by the governor, including licensed professionals with various degrees and two public members, who will oversee licensing, set ethical rules, and handle disciplinary actions for violations. Key provisions include the authority to issue licenses, approve reciprocal licenses from other states, and impose penalties such as fines or license revocation for those who do not meet professional standards or ethical codes. Additionally, the bill creates a public list of licensed professionals and outlines the board's meeting requirements and term limits for its members.

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2389) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran and Tackey Chan for legislation to facilitate restitution against unfinished development to be known as the FRAUD Act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 313) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the home improvement guaranty fund, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2472).

Senate, October 19, -- 2023 The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 197) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, John H. Rogers, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect consumer rights in purchasing safe and habitable homes; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 245) of Brian M. Ashe and others for legislation to provide for a right to home inspections for buyers, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2474).

Senate, October 19, 2023 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 158) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to applied behavior analysts; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 271) of Tackey Chan and Sal N. DiDomenico relative to the licensure of behavior analysts, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2475).

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the regulations for veterinarians in Massachusetts by amending state laws regarding license fees and renewal requirements. It mandates that licensed veterinarians pay biannual fees by January first, with the Board of Veterinary Medicine having the authority to revoke licenses for non-payment unless the fee is paid before a hearing. The legislation also requires veterinarians to provide proof of completing continuing education courses to renew their licenses and allows those who have retired or left the state for up to five years to re-register by paying a lapsed fee and submitting an affidavit. These changes aim to standardize the administrative process for maintaining active veterinary licenses within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow the state to issue direct wine shipper licenses to companies that already hold federal permits and manufacturing licenses in other states. The key provision permits these licensed wineries to sell and deliver wine directly to Massachusetts residents who are 21 or older for personal use, provided the wine is produced and sold under the winery's own brand name. By removing previous restrictions, the legislation aims to expand the ability of out-of-state wineries to ship their products directly to consumers within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Debt Collection Licensure Parity Act, updates Massachusetts laws to clarify who must be licensed as a debt collector and under what conditions. It expands the definition of a debt collector to include anyone whose main business is collecting debts or purchasing charged-off debts for collection, while explicitly exempting creditors collecting their own debts, family members, government officials, and nonprofit credit counselors. The legislation requires individuals and companies to obtain a state license and file a financial bond before collecting debts, unless they are purchasing charged-off debt as an investment and only hiring licensed collectors to do the work. Additionally, the act allows affiliated companies to operate under a single license and examination, streamlining the regulatory process for related businesses.

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.