Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement and correction officers to complete new training on interacting with people on the autism spectrum, focusing on de-escalation and sensory processing. It establishes mandatory autism-specific endorsements for special education teachers and paraprofessionals, requiring two years of coursework and field experience. Schools must place students with autism in specialized programs (when appropriate) and ensure all staff in those classrooms hold the autism endorsement, while also mandating video cameras in those classrooms for educational records. The bill directly affects school staff, students with autism, and law enforcement agencies by creating new credentialing standards and classroom protocols.
Rep. Steve Xiarhos
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 593) amends Massachusetts law to change how income is calculated for veteran benefits eligibility. It requires the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to create regulations ensuring that monthly deposits under $300 are not counted as income when determining eligibility under Chapter 115. This directly affects Massachusetts veterans who receive small recurring payments (like part-time income or modest pensions) that could previously disqualify them from benefits. The key provision clarifies that such small deposits must be excluded from income calculations, while still allowing officials to review full bank statements for other eligibility investigations. The change aims to prevent minor income sources from unfairly blocking access to veteran benefits.
Maddy summarySD 311 requires the MBTA to restore commuter rail service between Buzzards Bay station and South Station on the Cape Cod line within 12 months of the law taking effect. The service must operate year-round, with schedules adjusted to match local commuting patterns where feasible, and include at least three morning and three evening peak trips each weekday. This directly affects Cape Cod residents and workers who rely on rail for daily commutes to Boston. The bill mandates concrete operational changes to the MBTA's existing rail network without altering broader transportation policies.
By Representatives Moran of Lawrence and Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Frank A. Moran, Adam J. Scanlon and others for legislation to establish a special task force (including members of the General Court) to review and report on vocational admissions policies. Education.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime for individuals under court-ordered GPS monitoring to intentionally damage, remove, modify, or deactivate their tracking device. It directly affects people on probation or pre-trial release who are required to wear such devices as a condition of their supervision. Violators face up to five years in prison or 2.5 years in a House of Correction. The law specifically targets tampering with GPS monitors used in criminal justice supervision.
By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 540) of Dylan A. Fernandes that provisions be made to examine and report on the potential negative environmental and economic impacts of radioactive materials. Emergency Preparedness and Management.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes how veterans' healthcare reimbursements are treated for benefit eligibility. It requires that payments veterans receive for out-of-pocket medical costs be excluded from gross household income calculations used to determine eligibility for certain state programs. The key provision adds these specific reimbursements to the official list of excluded income items in the state's regulations (760 CMR 6.05(3)). This directly affects veterans who receive such reimbursements, ensuring these payments no longer reduce their eligibility for income-based benefits. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.
Senate, December 29, 2025 -- The committee on Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 425) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Steven George Xiarhos and Antonio F. D. Cabral for legislation to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2866).
By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 425) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Steven George Xiarhos and Antonio F. D. Cabral for legislation to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools. Education.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 441) creates a special firefighter motorcycle license plate for active and retired municipal firefighters in Massachusetts. It requires firefighters to get certification from their fire department head to qualify, and the plate can only be used on their personal motorcycles. An additional $10 fee is charged for the plate, collected by the state and paid to the Massachusetts Firefighters Academy Trust Fund. The bill directly affects firefighters who own motorcycles and provides a dedicated funding stream for firefighter training.