Rep. Colleen Garry

Maddy summaryThis bill requires window guards in residential homes where children under six live on the third floor or higher, directly affecting landlords and homeowners in multi-story buildings. Landlords must install and provide window guards at no cost to tenants, with fines of $500-$1,000 for discrimination against renters. It establishes a Department of Public Health program to educate families about window fall risks and provide technical assistance for prevention. Violations, such as obstructing installations, can incur civil penalties up to $10,000.

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 345) of Sal N. DiDomenico and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to eliminate the education funding inflation cap. Education.

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Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4487) updates terminology across Massachusetts state law to replace outdated terms like "handicapped," "disabled," and "mentally retarded" with more respectful and current language such as "persons with disabilities" and "intellectual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 updates death benefit eligibility for surviving spouses of call and volunteer firefighters. It expands benefits to include children over 19 who are physically or mentally incapacitated from earning income. The bill also adjusts how health insurance premiums are covered, requiring the same rate as government retirees rather than full premium payment. These changes directly affect surviving spouses and dependent children of qualifying firefighters who pass away while serving.

By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile relative to the use of data from automobile surveillance devices, so-called. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates "blue envelopes" to improve police interactions with people who have autism spectrum disorder. The envelopes, available from the Registry of Motor Vehicles upon request, contain written communication tips for officers and instructions for placing them on a car's sun visor. They also hold a person's driver's license, registration, and insurance cards. The program will begin on July 1, 2026, and directly affects autistic individuals and their families during traffic stops or vehicle encounters with police.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a state law to expand disability coverage for POST-certified police officers who become disabled by cardiac disease. It directly affects officers working for specific public safety units, including university police departments, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police forces, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police. The key change adds these entities to the list of covered employers under the existing disability benefit provision. This adjustment ensures these officers, previously excluded, now qualify for the same disability benefits as officers in other covered agencies. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility criteria - only expands which police forces are included.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in certain public safety employees was caused by their job duties, if diagnosed within five years of leaving service and not present at the time of hiring. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, airport crash crews, and military fire department members. Under the bill, these employees can receive benefits as if the PTSD occurred "in the line of duty" unless their employer proves it resulted from non-work factors like disciplinary actions. Benefits would be paid retroactively from the date the employee last received regular compensation.