Rep. Mindy Domb

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to adopt ranked choice voting for their local elections. Under the new rules, municipalities can implement this system through a ballot measure, local ordinance, or charter amendment, provided they first educate voters on how the process works. The law specifies that voters can rank candidates in order of preference, with votes transferred to subsequent choices if a candidate is eliminated, and it permits 16 and 17-year-old residents to vote in these local elections. Additionally, the legislation ensures that communities can return to their previous voting method after four years if they choose to do so via the same approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to use ranked choice voting for their local elections. Under the new rules, voters would rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one, and votes would be counted in rounds where ballots for eliminated candidates are transferred to the voter's next choice. Municipalities that wish to adopt this system must pass a local ordinance detailing specific rules for counting votes and resolving ties, while the state law removes the requirement to mark ballots with a cross. The legislation also ensures that a voter's lower-ranked choices do not affect the election outcome of their higher-ranked candidates.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Amherst in Massachusetts to allow lawful permanent residents who are at least 18 years old to register and vote in local elections. Under the new rules, these residents can vote on town offices and local ballot questions after applying to the town clerk, though the town council may create specific guidelines to manage this process. The legislation explicitly clarifies that this voting right is limited to local matters and does not extend to state or federal elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Maternal Health Justice Fund to support and expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships to individuals pursuing doula certification and offer financial assistance to community programs and agencies focused on maternal health. To ensure quality care, the bill establishes specific training requirements for doulas, including education on health equity, implicit bias, and trauma-informed care. Additionally, the legislation defines a doula as a trained professional who offers non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant individuals and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits intermediate and large power plants from counting woody biomass as an alternative energy source. It applies to facilities that have not already been officially recognized as alternative energy units by the Department of Energy Resources before January 1, 2023. By removing woody biomass from eligibility for these specific large-scale generators, the legislation changes how energy production is classified and potentially regulated under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove woody biomass from the list of regulated fuel sources used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions for municipal lighting plants in Massachusetts. By striking specific language from an existing state law, the legislation would alter how these facilities report their emissions data, potentially excluding the carbon impact of burning wood-based fuels. The change directly affects local governments that operate public lighting systems and rely on biomass energy. If passed, the act would take effect immediately upon approval by the legislature and the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state law to require health education in schools, directly affecting local school districts and their curricula. It mandates that instruction be age-appropriate and medically accurate, covering specific topics such as physical development, nutrition, mental health, and substance use prevention. The legislation also establishes a parental notification and opt-out policy for sexual education components, ensures funding is available for these programs, and clarifies that health education will not be tested on the state MCAS exam.

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2308) of Marjorie C. Decker, Mindy Domb and Vanna Howard relative to making firearm owners civilly liable for damage caused by lost or stolen firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state to increase Medicaid payments to hospitals and clinics that train medical residents in primary care, behavioral health, and other specialties facing doctor shortages. The funding amounts will be calculated using a standard federal method similar to Medicare, adjusted to reflect Massachusetts patient data. State officials must determine the necessary funding levels by July 2024 and begin making these payments to eligible providers by October 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Climate Risk Investment Review Committee to evaluate the state's public pension fund holdings for investments that could harm the environment or conflict with Massachusetts climate goals. The committee, which includes representatives from various state agencies and independent experts, would meet regularly to study risks associated with fossil fuels and other climate-risk industries. Based on its findings, the committee would assess whether the pension fund should sell or divest from these specific investments to protect beneficiaries and taxpayers. The legislation defines "climate risk investments" broadly to include stocks in the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies and other sectors contributing to climate change.