By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3012) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to infrastructure projects and public building construction contractors and subcontractors. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Senate, July 3, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 313) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 916) of William N. Brownsberger and Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to governmental and charitable tort liability; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1038) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1039) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to amend the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1446) of Michael S. Day relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of minors; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1536) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1614) of John J. Lawn, Jr., Carol A. Doherty and Vanna Howard for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2853).
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill relative to salary range transparency (House, No. 4109), reports, in part, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4890).
By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3045) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and others relative to the renewal of certain licenses after default on student loans. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify the penalties employers face if they misuse funds withheld from employee wages. It specifically expands the list of services from which wages can be legally deducted to include hospital, medical, dental, optometric, and health maintenance contract services. Additionally, the legislation ensures that no one can exempt themselves from these rules through special contracts and explicitly holds corporate officers and agents accountable for violations. The changes directly affect employers and the state's enforcement mechanisms regarding wage deductions.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect access to essential health services by penalizing hospitals that stop offering them. It requires any medical facility that provided these services as of January 1, 2017, to keep them available or face license suspension. The penalty applies only if there is no other hospital within a 10-mile radius that can provide the same essential services. This measure aims to ensure that communities do not lose critical healthcare options without a local replacement.
By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2989) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to the annual issuance of a proclamation from the Governor setting apart the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts consumer protection laws to prohibit businesses from making false or misleading claims about the recyclability of their products or packaging. Companies that use terms like "recyclable," "eco-friendly," or the chasing arrows symbol must keep written proof that their items can actually be recycled in the state and disclose any significant negative environmental impacts. Retailers and wholesalers are not held responsible for these claims unless they themselves made the representation in advertising or on the packaging. The law also allows recyclability symbols on multi-material products as long as the packaging clearly identifies which parts are not recyclable.
May 2, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1142) of John C. Velis, Patrick M. O'Connor, Jack Patrick Lewis, Steven George Xiarhos and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the humane protection of animals; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1718) of Edward R. Philips, Jessica Ann Giannino and others for legislation relative to the humane protection of animals and establishing a task force to complete a systematic review of the laws pertaining to animal cruelty and protection, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2757).
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in state law to prevent false or misleading claims about how recyclable or environmentally friendly products are. It requires companies making such claims in advertisements or on packaging to keep written proof that the products are actually recyclable in the state and to document any negative environmental impacts of making those goods. Businesses must also provide this documentation to state officials if asked, and the attorney general is given the power to fine violators up to $1,000 per offense. The law specifically clarifies that retailers who simply sell a product do not make the environmental claim themselves, and it allows recyclable symbols on multi-material items as long as non-recyclable parts are clearly labeled.
