Rep. Carol Doherty

By Representatives Cutler of Pembroke and Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2302) of Josh S. Cutler, Sarah K. Peake and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to examine the potential negative environmental and economic impacts caused by the discharge of spent fuel pool water created as a waste product of nuclear energy. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2360) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to 3D printed weapons and ghost guns. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Mahoney of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2374) of John J. Mahoney relative to establishing a board of hoisting machinery regulations. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representatives Doherty of Taunton and Haddad of Somerset, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carol A. Doherty and Patricia A. Haddad for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) of the welfare and best interest considerations of children in care and protection cases. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to exempt public high schools from certain safety regulations when operating hoisting equipment for vocational technical education programs. The exemption applies only if the school meets specific existing requirements, the supervising instructor is present at all times, and that instructor holds a valid license and is designated as the person in charge. The change directly affects schools running vocational programs that use cranes or similar machinery, allowing them to operate under these specific conditions without full compliance with the general restrictions.

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2331) of Colleen M. Garry and Carol A. Doherty relative to window guards in residential homes. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2351) of Kay Khan and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2334) of Carlos González, Bud L. Williams and Jason M. Lewis relative to tracking, tracing and stopping illegal firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit for survivors of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits in Massachusetts, allowing them to seek compensation regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. It also extends this right to sue negligent supervisors or employers who failed to prevent the abuse, provided there is proof of their negligence. The law applies to cases that happened before, during, or after the bill's passage, ensuring that past incidents are not barred by previous expiration dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts zoning laws to prevent local municipalities from banning accessory dwelling units, such as backyard apartments, on single-family lots occupied by the owner. It requires cities and towns to allow these units as a standard right rather than mandating a special permit, thereby removing local restrictions that previously blocked their construction. Additionally, the legislation updates zoning amendment rules to streamline the approval process for multifamily housing and mixed-use developments in eligible areas. By centralizing these permitting standards, the bill aims to increase housing supply while limiting the ability of local governments to prohibit these specific types of residential additions.