Rep. David Linsky

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules banning public schools from using Native American names, logos, or mascots for their athletic teams. It mandates that schools currently using such imagery must select new alternatives by a specific deadline set by the state board. The legislation allows schools to keep existing uniforms and materials that feature the prohibited names only if they have already chosen a replacement and stop buying new items with the old imagery. Additionally, any new signs or fixtures displaying the banned names must be removed, while those on existing facilities can remain until the next scheduled maintenance or replacement.

By Representatives O'Day of West Boylston and Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2246) of James J. O'Day, Edward R. Philips and others for legislation to authorize attending physicians to prescribe medical aid in dying medication that will end the life of patients in a peaceful manner. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows 17-year-olds in Massachusetts to vote in early primary and special elections if they are already pre-registered to vote. It updates state election laws to clarify that pre-registered youth can participate in these specific elections before turning 18, provided they will be eligible to vote in the next general election. The legislation aims to increase youth participation by enabling younger voters to cast ballots in primaries and special elections without waiting until their 18th birthday.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of fluorinated chemicals, within Massachusetts. It requires manufacturers and suppliers to provide a signed certificate of compliance for each package or packaging component, which purchasers must keep on file and make available to the public and the Department of Public Health upon request. The ban on these chemicals takes effect on January 1, 2025, while the documentation requirements begin 90 days after the law is enacted.

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 establishes a new ecologically-based mosquito management program in Massachusetts to protect public health while reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides. It creates a new chapter in state law that defines specific terms like "disease vector" and outlines a strategy that prioritizes prevention, surveillance, and natural controls such as predators and habitat modification. Under this program, the use of chemical pesticides is restricted to last-resort situations where mosquito populations exceed predetermined safety levels. The legislation also repeals the previous chapter governing mosquito control and directs relevant state boards to implement these new sustainable management plans.

By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2707) of Bruce J. Ayers and others for legislation to provide a donation check-off box on state tax returns for the establishment of the Y.M.C.A. youth and government fund. Revenue.

By Representatives Lewis of Framingham and Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2224) of Jack Patrick Lewis, Mindy Domb and others relative to improving healthcare delivery for underserved residents. Public Health.

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton and Senator Mark, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2264) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Paul W. Mark and others that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services establish a grant program to increase the availability of non-law-enforcement, unarmed community-based response options for emergency calls. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to launch a Wetlands Restoration Streamlining Initiative aimed at speeding up the approval process for nature-based wetland projects. A designated coordinator will lead efforts to align regulations with climate goals, reduce trial periods for proven restoration techniques, and provide technical support to municipalities, nonprofits, and state agencies. The initiative seeks to create a unified permitting process that could complete state reviews within three months and will recommend specific regulatory reforms, such as general permits and clarified definitions, to remove current barriers.