Maddy summaryH 4537, titled "An Act relative to sexual harassment," prohibits professional investors (such as banks, venture capital firms, and financial institutions) from engaging in sexual harassment during business investment transactions in Massachusetts. The law bans making sexual advances or requests for sexual favors as a condition for business deals or creating hostile work environments that interfere with employment. Individuals harmed by such conduct, or businesses that employed them as agents during the incident, may sue for damages including punitive awards, and the Attorney General can enforce the law. Claims must be filed within three years of the last incident. The bill specifically targets harassment tied to investment decisions, not general workplace harassment.
Rep. Natalie Higgins
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHD 1791 requires all public schools in the Commonwealth to stop using athletic team names, logos, or mascots that reference, represent, or are associated with Native Americans, including specific tribes or cultural elements. Within three months, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must create a list of affected schools, which the Commission on Indian Affairs will review and publish. Schools on this list must develop a plan to phase out these mascots within three years through a formal agreement with the Department, consulting with tribal representatives. The bill also prohibits schools from adopting new mascots that reference Native American cultures and denies state education grants to schools that fail to comply.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts schools (public, private, charter, and religious) to adopt formal abuse prevention policies and implement specific safety measures. It mandates biennial training for school staff on recognizing, preventing, and reporting abuse or sexual misconduct, and requires age-appropriate student education on boundaries, healthy relationships, and reporting concerns. Schools must also conduct thorough background checks on applicants for positions involving direct student contact, including verifying employment history and any past investigations into misconduct allegations. The bill directly affects educators, school staff, and students by establishing standardized safety protocols and reporting procedures across all school settings.
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill (H 4515) expands access to community-based juvenile diversion programs by removing automatic disqualification for youth referred to juvenile court. It protects statements made during assessments from being used against youth in court and requires courts to dismiss original complaints unless a report recommends otherwise. Diversion remains unavailable for serious offenses like those with minimum prison sentences or specific violent charges. The law directly affects youth in juvenile court and aims to reduce court involvement for less severe cases while maintaining legal pathways for serious crimes.
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill prohibits discrimination against participants in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires insurers, drug companies, and distributors to provide equal reimbursement and treatment to 340B-covered entities (like safety-net hospitals) and their contract pharmacies, banning lower payments, special restrictions, or interference with patient choices to access 340B drugs. The law explicitly forbids denying 340B drug access, disrupting contracts between pharmacies and 340B entities, or demanding extra data as a condition for supplying 340B drugs. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Massachusetts law. The bill directly affects healthcare providers and pharmacies participating in the 340B program within Massachusetts.
By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1092) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to prescription medications. Financial Services.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month in the state. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation during September to increase public awareness of PCOS, which is described as the most common endocrine disorder affecting women. The proclamation encourages appropriate observance to promote better education, earlier diagnosis, and improved care for those impacted. The bill does not create new programs or funding but focuses on raising awareness through official recognition.
By Representatives Finn of West Springfield and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 232) of Michael J. Finn, Norman J. Orrall and others relative to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4487) updates terminology across Massachusetts state law to replace outdated terms like "handicapped," "disabled," and "mentally retarded" with more respectful and current language such as "persons with disabilities" and "intellectual or developmental disability." It amends 33 sections of the General Laws, including provisions related to employment weeks, veteran benefits, healthcare, and community services, to consistently use inclusive terminology. The bill directly affects how state laws reference these communities but does not create new programs or change existing policies. It was reported favorably by the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities to permit duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes (up to five units total) on residential lots without zoning restrictions, as long as reasonable regulations like site plans and setbacks don't make development infeasible. It also eliminates minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and establishes streamlined approval for "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions" (smaller residential lots, max 10,000 sq ft each). The bill directly affects homeowners, developers, and municipalities by expanding housing options on existing residential properties. Key provisions require local zoning to allow these housing types "as of right" and create standardized subdivision guidelines for smaller lots. The changes apply to areas with municipal water/sewer systems and take effect 365 days after enactment.