Rep. Paul Donato

Maddy summaryHD 1552 requires shelters, schools, and correctional facilities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like pads, tampons, and liners) to menstruating individuals without stigma. It applies to temporary housing providers (e.g., domestic violence shelters, emergency hotels), all public primary/secondary schools, and correctional facilities (jails, prisons). The bill mandates these products be available in convenient, non-stigmatizing ways, such as in restrooms. This directly affects menstruating people experiencing homelessness, attending school, or in detention. The law creates a new requirement for these specific institutions to cover the cost of products.

Maddy summaryHD 2320 restructures staffing positions within Massachusetts probate courts across 14 counties. The bill establishes specific numbers of "first assistant registers" (one per county) and "assistant registers" (varying by county, e.g., 4 in Middlesex), while eliminating the title "administrative deputy assistant register" (though current holders may continue). It also adds "assistant judicial case managers" for certain counties and adjusts Suffolk County's clerk and deputy register roles, including compensation details for some positions. This procedural bill directly affects probate court staff management, not public policy or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 822) proposes changes to absentee voting procedures under Massachusetts election laws, introduced by Rep. Paul J. Donato. The provided context does not specify the exact mechanisms, provisions, or who the bill directly affects. Without additional details on the proposed changes in the abstract or summary, concrete policy details cannot be described. A full summary of its specific provisions would require access to the bill's text or a more detailed description.

Maddy summaryHD 2795 requires the state secretary to make historical records related to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or mental health conditions publicly accessible after 75 years from their creation. This applies specifically to records accessioned from state institutions for these populations. The bill mandates that these records be open for public inspection and copying following the 75-year period, without requiring additional approval. It directly affects how the state manages and shares these historical documents. The change modifies existing law to establish a clear, automatic access timeline for these specific records.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require carbon monoxide alarms in all residential, governmental, and commercial buildings, removing a previous limitation that restricted the requirement to "occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes." It expands the existing safety mandate to cover all building types, including offices, stores, and public facilities, not just homes. The key change is eliminating the phrase "occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes" from three sections of the law, ensuring the alarm requirement applies universally. This creates a consistent safety standard for all structures where people live, work, or gather.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new charter for the City of Medford, replacing its existing governing document (Chapter 605 of 1986). It creates a 11-member city council with 8 ward representatives and 3 at-large members, defining the city's legislative structure, powers, and procedures for local government operations. The charter explicitly states the city council holds legislative authority while the mayor leads the executive branch, and it outlines how the city manages finances, services, and community engagement. This procedural bill directly affects Medford residents and officials by defining how the city government is organized and functions.

By Representatives Finn of West Springfield and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 232) of Michael J. Finn, Norman J. Orrall and others relative to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4487) updates terminology across Massachusetts state law to replace outdated terms like "handicapped," "disabled," and "mentally retarded" with more respectful and current language such as "persons with disabilities" and "intellectual or developmental disability." It amends 33 sections of the General Laws, including provisions related to employment weeks, veteran benefits, healthcare, and community services, to consistently use inclusive terminology. The bill directly affects how state laws reference these communities but does not create new programs or change existing policies. It was reported favorably by the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a presumption that Parkinson's disease causing disability or death in certain firefighters was incurred "in the line of duty," simplifying eligibility for retirement benefits. It directly affects uniformed firefighters in paid departments, state police in fire investigation/K9 units, and airport crash crew personnel (e.g., at Logan Airport, 104th Fighter Wing, or Joint Base Cape Cod) who served at least five years and regularly responded to fire calls. The presumption applies unless non-service factors (like personal health risks) are proven to have caused the condition. The bill amends retirement laws to include this provision, ensuring affected personnel can access benefits under existing systems without needing to prove service connection.

Maddy summaryHD 4039 amends Chapter 32 Section 94B(2) of Massachusetts General Laws to change the minimum service requirement for firefighter retirement benefits from five to ten years. It also adds that firefighters retiring under these terms will have secondary cancer covered under Section 9 of the same chapter. This bill directly affects firefighters meeting the revised service requirement, modifying their eligibility for retirement benefits and expanding cancer coverage. The changes apply to current and future firefighters under the specified retirement provisions.