Rep. Dave Vieira

Senate, June 6, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 241) of Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to special education funding reform; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 249) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure equitable access to education, including special education services, for all students in Massachusetts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 269) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to prevent discrimination in interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 324) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to accommodations for special needs students taking the MCAS examination; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 332) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Lydia Edwards, Patrick M. O'Connor and other members of the General Court that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 356) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to conduct a study on the delivery of special education services, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2807).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for assault and battery committed against specific groups of workers while they are performing their official duties. It directly affects healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders by adding them to the list of individuals whose attackers face stricter punishments. Under the new provisions, anyone who assaults these workers while they are on the job could be sentenced to up to five years in state prison or fined up to $5,000. The law also extends these protections to police dogs actively engaged in their duties. These changes aim to provide stronger legal consequences for violence targeting essential public service roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to limit the time window for requesting alimony judgments. Specifically, it changes the rule so that a court can only grant alimony if the request is made within one year of the divorce or separation. This provision directly affects individuals involved in divorce proceedings who wish to seek financial support from their former spouse. By setting a strict one-year deadline, the legislation aims to provide greater finality to divorce settlements and reduce the long-term uncertainty for both parties.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mathew J. Muratore and others for legislation to authorize insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and orthotic devices. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.

By Representative Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2318) of Mindy Domb and others relative to further regulating child passenger restraints in motor vehicles. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts election laws to allow candidates to use campaign funds for child care services required by their campaigns. It defines child care to include professional or casual babysitting and costs related to these services, while restricting payments to relatives unless they operate a professional daycare. The law permits reimbursement for these expenses if the care would not otherwise exist due to the campaign and is incurred within eighteen months before an election. Additionally, the bill requires the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to create specific rules to implement these changes within two months of the law taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows candidates running for public office in Massachusetts to use campaign funds to pay for child care services during campaign activities. It defines child care to include babysitting from various providers and permits payments to family members only if they operate a professional daycare or charge market rates. The legislation also requires the director of campaign finance to create specific regulations governing these expenses by December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts election laws to allow candidates to use campaign funds for child-care services required because of their political activities. It defines these services broadly to include care from individuals, non-profits, and for-profit organizations, while restricting payments to family members unless they operate a professional daycare or babysitting service. The legislation also permits candidates to claim expenses for child-care that would not otherwise exist but for their campaign. Finally, it requires the director of campaign and political finance to create specific regulations outlining these rules by December 31, 2023.

By Representative Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4185) of David T. Vieira and Susan L. Moran (by vote of the town) that the town of Mashpee be authorized to lease certain land in said town to the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod, Inc. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]