Rep. Steven Howitt

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits colleges and athletic organizations from stopping student-athletes from earning money when their name, image, or likeness is used by third parties. It ensures that scholarships are not revoked or eligibility lost if athletes accept such payments or hire professional agents for legal or contract matters. However, the law forbids receiving compensation if it is tied to attending a specific school, based on athletic performance, or provided directly by the institution itself. Additionally, any athlete agent working with these students must be registered in the state of Massachusetts.

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3508) of Steven S. Howitt and Joseph D. McKenna relative to veteran health, opportunity, notification, observance and respect. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

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 modifies the Massachusetts curriculum standards to remove the requirement that public schools teach the major principles of environmental science. By deleting this specific language from the existing statute, the legislation effectively eliminates the mandate for environmental science education in public schools. The change directly impacts school districts and educators who would no longer be required to include these specific topics in their science programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every school district in Massachusetts to create and submit an annual literacy strategic plan that outlines how they will teach reading using scientifically proven methods. The law mandates that these plans cover professional training for teachers, the selection of approved reading curricula, and support systems for parents to help their children learn to read. Districts must use programs from a state-approved list, and those with low reading test scores will be required to include their literacy plans in broader long-term improvement strategies. Additionally, the state department of education will develop resources to help districts train staff and will convene a group of experts to recommend ways to spread best practices across the educator workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to allow students to count their participation in 4-H programs as school attendance, equivalent to an educational field trip. It requires schools to provide opportunities for students to complete missed work and ensures that grades are not negatively impacted by their absence from class for these activities. The legislation also mandates that 4-H agents provide proof of participation upon school request, while explicitly excluding attendance credit during standardized testing periods or times when a student is suspended or expelled.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to update regulations requiring teacher training programs to include instruction on augmentative and alternative communication and assistive technologies. It also mandates that individual professional development plans for educators address the specific needs of students who are nonverbal or have limited speech. These changes aim to ensure that teachers are better equipped to support children with disabilities who rely on alternative methods of communication.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school administrators in Massachusetts to prioritize re-engaging students in the learning process before suspending or expelling them. It mandates that officials try alternative remedies such as mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and collaborative problem solving for specific incidents, unless there is documented evidence that these methods would be unsafe or ineffective. Additionally, the legislation directs schools to implement district-wide models focused on positive behavioral interventions and trauma-sensitive learning to improve the overall school environment. These changes directly affect school leaders and decision-makers who must document their attempts at alternative solutions before resorting to exclusionary discipline.