Rep. Dan Sena

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow Massachusetts towns and cities to pass local ordinances requiring new buildings and major renovations to be all-electric, meaning they cannot use natural gas, heating oil, or propane for heating, cooling, or cooking. The legislation defines "all-electric" as systems that rely on electricity or geothermal energy for these purposes while excluding fossil fuel infrastructure, with specific exceptions for vehicle fueling, mechanic shops, and emergency backup power. By giving municipalities the authority to mandate these standards, the bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shifting energy use away from fossil fuels in residential, commercial, and public structures. The rules apply to construction projects and major renovations where building permit applications are submitted on or after January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public housing authorities in Massachusetts to provide free broadband internet access to all residents as a condition for a dwelling to be considered decent, safe, and sanitary. It achieves this by amending state housing laws to mandate no-charge internet and explicitly excluding broadband from being classified as a utility for regulatory purposes. The legislation also directs the Department of Public Health to study the relationship between internet access and public health outcomes, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by lack of connectivity. To support this initiative, the bill authorizes the General Court to appropriate funds for subsidizing the implementation and maintenance of these internet services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority to use at least $150 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds to help cover rising material costs for previously approved school construction projects. The legislation specifically targets schools that can prove their budget overruns were caused by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. By transferring these funds to a dedicated trust, the bill aims to reimburse contractors and districts for the additional expenses incurred during the construction process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts schools to include climate change education in their existing science, history, and other subject curricula. It mandates that environmental science standards cover topics such as human impact on the carbon cycle, effects on health and agriculture, and changes to the water cycle and natural disasters. The state education department is authorized to provide resources and professional development materials to help schools teach these topics and may seek additional funding to support the initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new trust fund to help Massachusetts school districts implement and maintain tuition-free, full-day kindergarten programs for all children. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, interest on those funds, and public or private donations, with unspent money staying in the fund rather than returning to the general budget. Under the bill, districts can request reimbursement from the fund to cover up to 100 percent of the costs needed to offer this program, and the state board of elementary and secondary education will oversee the fund and report annually on its financial activity. Additionally, the legislation updates legal definitions to clarify how kindergarten students are counted for state funding purposes and defines what constitutes a tuition-free universal full-day kindergarten program.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to conduct a study on administrative discharges from substance use disorder treatment programs. An administrative discharge is defined as a patient being removed from care by staff for breaking program rules, even if they have not yet shown clinical improvement. The study will investigate the criteria programs use for these discharges, the safety standards involved, and what resources or care coordination options are available to patients after being discharged. The department must submit its findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retail pharmacies in Massachusetts to dispense specialty medications, which are typically used to treat serious conditions like cancer and cystic fibrosis, rather than forcing patients to rely solely on mail-order services. It achieves this by amending state law to permit local pharmacies to handle these drugs if they can meet specific administrative and monitoring requirements, aiming to reduce treatment delays and simplify the process for patients. The legislation also establishes a new registration category for specialty pharmacies to ensure safe distribution standards and closes a loophole where insurers incorrectly classify low-risk drugs as specialty medications to mandate mail-order use.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to strengthen suicide prevention efforts within public schools and charter schools. It requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules mandating that school districts form partnerships with community organizations to refer students to mental health, substance use, and social support services. Additionally, the legislation shortens the timeline for school districts to implement suicide prevention plans, reducing the requirement from three years to one year and the review period from six months to 60 days. These changes directly affect school administrators and districts by establishing clearer, faster deadlines and a formalized process for connecting students with external health resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to grant voting rights to student representatives on local school committees. It requires each city, town, and regional school district to elect two student representatives from their secondary schools who can vote on all committee matters. The legislation also establishes a student advisory committee to support these representatives and help students access resources. While student representatives retain the right to attend executive sessions only if the specific committee grants it, they must follow all existing school committee rules and serve without pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all four-year colleges and universities in Massachusetts to report annually on their admissions policies regarding legacy applicants, early decision, and early action programs. Specifically, institutions must disclose whether they offer preferences to students related to donors or alumni and provide detailed statistics on how many applicants from these groups are admitted. The law also mandates that these reports break down data by race and financial need, including information on Pell Grant recipients, to increase transparency in the admissions process. By collecting this information, the bill aims to give the public and state officials a clearer view of how different applicant categories are treated during college enrollment.