Rep. Patrick Kearney

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 225) grants Massachusetts residents who are 100% disabled veterans the right to obtain any state-issued hunting or fishing license without paying any fee. It directly affects eligible veterans by removing financial barriers to recreational activities they previously had to pay for. The key provision overrides all existing state laws, rules, or regulations requiring fees for these licenses. The policy change applies to all hunting and fishing licenses offered by the Commonwealth, ensuring no cost to qualifying veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 686) changes how the state calculates income for veterans applying for certain Commonwealth services. It specifically excludes veterans' disability benefit payments from being counted as income when determining eligibility for state programs like housing assistance, food aid, or other support services. The key provision, found in Section 1, amends existing law to ensure these benefits do not reduce a veteran's access to other state services they qualify for based on income. This directly affects veterans receiving disability payments who apply for additional state assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program to provide service dogs for eligible veterans with disabilities. It creates a dedicated fund (the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Fund) to cover program costs, including training and matching dogs with veterans through accredited organizations. Eligible veterans must be Massachusetts residents with a documented disability, a healthcare provider's recommendation, and a need for a service dog trained to assist with specific tasks. The program requires the executive office of veterans' services to administer the program, match veterans with dogs within one year, and submit annual reports on outcomes. The bill also eliminates licensing fees for service dogs under this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 201) amends Massachusetts law to expand the definition of "veteran" by adding three specific federal service branches: the United States NOAA Corps, the United States Public Health Service, and the United States Space Force. It directly affects service members who served in these branches, ensuring they qualify for state veteran benefits and recognition under existing law. The change modifies M.G.L. ch. 4, s. 7, clause 43 part (b), adding the new branches after "coast guard" in the legal definition. This is a definitional update with no new benefits or requirements, simply aligning state law with current federal service structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses in Massachusetts to round transaction amounts to the nearest five cents when customers pay with cash and cannot provide exact change. The rounding rule generally rounds down amounts ending in one, two, six, or seven cents, while rounding up amounts ending in three, four, eight, or nine cents, with a specific exception allowing small transactions of one or two cents to round up to five cents. Sellers must calculate and remit taxes based on the original price before rounding occurs, and they must clearly disclose this rounding policy to customers. The legislation also mandates that the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation issue guidance to help businesses implement these new cash payment rules.

By Representative Chan of Quincy and Senator Feeney, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan, Kate Donaghue and others relative to consumer protections for low valued legal tender scarcity. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants, schools, sports leagues, and other public venues to purchase and keep epinephrine autoinjectors on-site to treat severe allergic reactions. To do so, these locations must get approval from the state department, ensure their staff completes specific emergency training, and store the devices in easily accessible places. Trained employees are authorized to use these injectors on anyone showing signs of anaphylaxis, even if the person does not have a personal prescription for the medication. The law also provides legal protection from lawsuits for these venues and their staff when administering the drug in good faith, while requiring them to report each use to the state for public analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases access to epinephrine for life-threatening allergic reactions by allowing pharmacists to dispense autoinjectors without a prescription under a statewide standing order, with liability protection for good-faith actions. It also shields first responders from drug possession charges when seeking medical help for anaphylaxis and permits businesses (like schools, restaurants, and sports venues) to maintain and store epinephrine supplies with staff training. Pharmacists must complete anaphylaxis recognition training, and all entities must report dispensing data anonymously to the state. The law aims to make emergency treatment more accessible while protecting those administering it.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired police officers in the town of Kingston to continue working as special police officers until they reach the age of 70. It removes the previous age limit of 65 for these roles and stops the automatic reduction in pay that typically occurs after an officer turns 65. To qualify, retired officers must pass a medical exam, maintain their professional certifications, and follow the same training and conduct rules as active-duty officers. The chief of police decides which specific duties these officers will perform, and their annual appointments can be ended at any time with 14 days' notice.

Maddy summaryHD 4321 raises the maximum retirement age for special police officers in Kingston to 70 years old. The bill directly affects certified special police officers appointed by the Town of Kingston's Board of Selectmen for traffic details, allowing them to serve until age 70 or until retirement/resignation/non-reappointment. Key provisions include setting 70 as the new maximum age limit (replacing previous restrictions) and granting the Board of Selectmen discretion to non-reappoint officers for any lawful reason. This change modifies the town's existing rules for special police officer appointments without altering other employment conditions.