Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a task force to study and recommend a statewide certification program for sexual assault counselors in Massachusetts. The group will include representatives from government agencies, victim service organizations, and survivors to define training requirements, establish different certification levels, and determine associated fees. The task force will also examine whether rape crisis centers should be licensed and explore options for offering college credits for their training programs. Within twelve months of the bill taking effect, the group must submit a report with its findings and any proposed laws to the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase unemployment insurance benefits for low-wage workers in Massachusetts by changing how weekly payments are calculated. Under the new rules, weekly benefits would be set at 50% of a worker's average weekly earnings during their base period, rather than a fixed multiple of a standard rate. Additionally, the total amount of benefits a worker can receive over a year would be increased to 60% of their base period wages. These changes aim to provide higher financial support to individuals earning lower incomes who lose their jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Strong Communities and Workforce Development Fund to provide financial support to communities disproportionately affected by incarceration. The fund will be financed by transferring money equal to the savings generated from a reduction in the state's prison population, calculated based on the difference between actual and projected inmate numbers. A seven-member board, composed of individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds, will oversee the distribution of these funds for job training, creation, and placement programs. Eligible recipients include people under 25, victims of violence, those without a high school diploma, and individuals with felony convictions who face significant employment barriers. The legislation aims to reinvest resources back into these specific communities to address economic challenges linked to the criminal justice system.

By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2556) of Natalie M. Higgins that the State Retirement Board be authorized to provide certain retirement benefits to Carrie Duff the surviving beneficiary of William Manduca. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands employment protections in Massachusetts for individuals experiencing or who have experienced abusive behavior, including domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and kidnapping. It achieves this by adding new legal definitions to state labor laws that explicitly include psychological, emotional, and mental abuse alongside physical harm and threats. The legislation specifies that abusive behavior covers actions such as isolating a victim, controlling their finances, monitoring their communications, or restricting their freedom. By clarifying these terms, the bill aims to ensure that workplace policies cover a broader range of harmful behaviors beyond just physical violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal shield for farmers in Massachusetts who are affected by PFAS contamination in their soil, water, or crops. It grants immunity from lawsuits and civil liability to individuals or entities engaged in farming for any damages resulting from these chemical contaminants. The primary mechanism is the amendment of state law to prevent farmers from being sued by third parties when PFAS exposure occurs on their land.

Senate, January 25, 2024 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 180) of Adam Gomez, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and others for legislation to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 359) of Adrian C. Madaro, Carlos González and Kevin G. Honan for legislation to further regulate real estate brokers and salespersons, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2566).

Senate, January 29, 2024 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 175) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Lydia Edwards and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the disclosure of toxic chemicals in children’s products; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 318) of James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to direct the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a toxic chemicals of concern consumer products list, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2564).

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to create and publish a list of toxic chemicals of concern found in consumer products intended for children. The legislation defines "children" as individuals aged 12 and under and includes a wide range of items such as toys, clothing, cosmetics, car seats, and artificial turf fields. To determine which chemicals are harmful, the law requires the department to consult with recognized authoritative bodies like the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Once the list is compiled, it will be made available to the public to inform parents and consumers about potential health risks in products used by young people.