Rep. Kelly Pease

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove legal restrictions that currently ban the use of handguns while hunting in Massachusetts. By deleting specific sections of state law, the legislation would allow hunters to use these firearms during hunting seasons. The change directly affects hunting regulations and the equipment hunters are permitted to use.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to hire an external research organization to study the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, in agricultural and food products sold in the state. The selected research team must have specific expertise in analyzing environmental samples and access to advanced testing equipment to measure PFAS levels in items such as produce, dairy, meat, and farming inputs like water and fertilizer. The study's findings must be compiled into a report that is made publicly available in plain language and submitted to state legislative committees by August 31, 2024. The law takes effect within 180 days of being passed, initiating a one-year investigation into potential contamination sources in the local food supply.

Senate, April 11, 2024 --The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 588) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to study the effect of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in commercial products, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2723).

By Representative Whipps of Athol, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3475) of Susannah M. Whipps and others relative to increasing the penalties for passing stopped school buses. Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and implement a personal financial literacy curriculum for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The curriculum would cover essential topics such as managing loans and credit, saving for retirement, understanding taxes, and making informed decisions about buying a home. To guide this effort, the bill establishes an 11-member advisory committee that includes educators, industry representatives, and community leaders to develop standards, review existing programs, and provide annual reports on best practices. Additionally, the department is tasked with studying how to integrate these financial skills into the state's standardized testing and curriculum frameworks.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 327) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Deborah B. Goldberg, Treasurer and Receiver General for legislation to require financial education in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 328) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Ryan C. Fattman for legislation relative to student financial literacy; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 473) of Peter J. Durant and others relative to establishing a personal financial literacy curriculum in schools; and (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan M. Hamilton, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and Sally P. Kerans relative to personal financial literacy in schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2665).

Maddy summaryThis bill expands financial support for high school students in Gateway Cities to participate in the Access College Early Program. It specifically targets students living in or attending schools within designated Gateway municipalities who also qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Under the new provisions, these eligible students would receive needs-based funding to cover costs for up to 24 college credits through the existing Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership. The legislation aims to increase college access for low-income youth in specific urban areas by removing financial barriers to dual enrollment.

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of John J. Cronin, Manny Cruz and John Barrett, III for legislation to create and expand student pathways to success; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Paul R. Feeney, Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Susan Williams Gifford and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access, opportunity, and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 297) of Edward J. Kennedy and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 306) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 334) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jeffrey N. Roy and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).

By Representative Hogan of Stow and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2197) of Kate Hogan, Julian Cyr and others for legislation to protect public health from PFAS. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents and local governments address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. The fund is designed to cover remediation costs for municipalities, private well owners, and public water systems without requiring additional annual appropriations from the state budget. Money for the fund will come from settlements related to claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam, and any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll over to the next year. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs is responsible for administering the fund and ensuring expenditures align with existing legal settlements.