Rep. Carol Doherty

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development to study how state and federal fishing regulations, such as area closures and gear limits, impact the financial stability of commercial fishermen. The legislation requires the Secretary to create a plan that could include changes to the state's unemployment insurance system to better support workers facing income loss due to these rules. The plan must specifically consider economic hardships caused by seasonal lobster fishery closures designed to protect North Atlantic Right Whales. Any resulting plan and legislative recommendations must be submitted to the state legislature by April 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Re-Entry Works Fund, a new financial resource managed by the Department of Career Services to assist formerly incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts with finding employment. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, private donations, and interest, and its money cannot be returned to the general state budget at the end of each year. These resources will support job training, wage subsidies, and essential services like transportation and childcare for people transitioning from prison to the workforce. Additionally, the bill requires the department to publish an annual report on program effectiveness and run public awareness campaigns to inform potential participants and employers about available services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Elder Affairs to develop a plan for providing specialized services to individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's disease who are enrolled in MassHealth's frail elder home and community-based services waiver. The legislation requires the department to identify specific needs and barriers faced by this population and propose strategies to improve care and support. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department report its findings and proposed plan to the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs by a specified deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of a parking lot on Court Street in Taunton from the state to the city for a nominal fee of one dollar. Under the legislation, the city would assume full responsibility for costs such as appraisals, surveys, and ongoing maintenance, while the state retains the right to reclaim the land if it stops being used for parking. The state also agrees to hold the city harmless from any preexisting environmental violations associated with the property. Any funds received from the transfer would be deposited into the state's General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that all design, engineering, and inspection services in Massachusetts comply with the state's existing laws regarding state administration and regulatory oversight. By explicitly stating that these services must follow the provisions of Chapter 7, Sections 52 through 55, the legislation aims to ensure consistent oversight of how these critical services are managed. The measure directly impacts contractors and firms providing these services to the Commonwealth, mandating that their work adhere to established regulatory standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens financial oversight within Massachusetts state agencies by establishing new internal control standards and reporting requirements. It mandates that the comptroller, working with the state auditor, create regulations defining minimum quality standards for internal controls, which must include risk assessments, written policies, and training programs. Each agency must appoint an official responsible for maintaining these systems and ensuring that audit findings are addressed through corrective actions and budget requests. Additionally, the law requires the immediate reporting of financial losses, thefts, or control failures to the state auditor, who will then investigate and recommend fixes to prevent future issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to consider the total long-term expenses of a building when selecting contractors for public construction projects. Instead of choosing the lowest initial bid, officials must factor in estimated future costs for operations, maintenance, and energy system replacements. The law specifically defines these long-term costs to include fuel, upkeep, and the installation of energy-saving measures. This change directly impacts how state government facilities are built and renovated to ensure financial sustainability over the building's life.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state of Massachusetts to automatically ban any employer from receiving government contracts if that employer violates specific federal laws. By changing the language in an existing statute, the law removes the option for officials to choose whether to impose a ban, making it a mandatory action whenever a violation occurs. The measure directly impacts businesses seeking state work and ensures that companies breaking federal rules cannot be paid by the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts public schools to include American Sign Language in their educational programs. It specifically mandates that schools recognize the value of sign language for children with autism, noting its visual nature and ability to facilitate quick communication without assistive devices. By changing the word "may" to "shall" in existing state law, the measure makes the inclusion of sign language a mandatory requirement rather than an optional one.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new requirement for state officials to inspect every polling place and early voting site in Massachusetts at least once every four years to ensure they meet federal and state accessibility standards. If an inspection reveals a failure to comply with these laws, the responsible local officials must immediately fix the issue and submit a written plan to the state secretary within five days. The state secretary has the authority to order local towns to comply if they do not act, and the Attorney General can file a lawsuit to enforce these rules. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state secretary report annually to the legislature on all activities related to enforcing these accessibility requirements.