Rep. David Linsky

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' public pension funds to stop investing in companies that make or sell ammunition and firearms for civilian use. It defines these companies as those deriving more than 15% of their revenue from such products and mandates that the pension board identify all current investments in these firms within 90 days. The legislation directs the fund to sell these holdings over a 12-month period while exempting investments in mutual funds that hold these companies. Ultimately, the bill aims to align the state's retirement investments with its existing gun control laws by removing financial support for the firearms industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires MassHealth Senior Care Options programs to pay nursing homes at least the same rate as standard Medicaid fee-for-service payments. The rule applies to facilities licensed under state law and ensures that reimbursement covers room, board, and all necessary add-ons. By guaranteeing these minimum payment levels, the legislation aims to maintain access to critical services and support smooth transitions for patients moving from hospitals to nursing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how people falsely claim to have service animals. The commission will consist of fifteen members, including officials from the state judiciary, police, disability offices, and advocacy groups for both service animals and other types of pets. Its primary task is to study the issue of misrepresentation and make recommendations on how to address it.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding service animals and establish a formal process for verifying their legitimate status. It creates a new section in the state's general laws to define terms like "service dog" and "service-dog-in-training" based on federal standards, while explicitly protecting business owners from misrepresentation. A key provision requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute a verification decal for businesses to display in their windows or doors. This decal will be created in collaboration with national service dog organizations, restaurant owner associations, and business owner associations to help identify legitimate service animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help Massachusetts school districts expand access to full-day, high-quality prekindergarten for children aged two and a half to five. To receive funding, districts must meet strict standards, including maintaining a teacher-to-student ratio of no more than 10 to 1, ensuring teacher salaries match those of kindergarten staff, and providing inclusive, evidence-based instruction. Priority for these grants will be given to districts with lower third-grade reading scores and higher rates of economic disadvantage, aiming to reduce achievement gaps and improve early literacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve early education and care in Massachusetts by making services more affordable, accessible, and high-quality for children and their families. It seeks to support child development and strengthen the state's economy by expanding access to these essential services. The legislation outlines specific goals to enhance the quality of care and reduce costs, though the provided text does not detail the exact funding mechanisms or implementation steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new drought management task force within the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to coordinate responses to water shortages. The task force will include representatives from various state agencies, professional organizations, and the public, and it must meet at least quarterly or monthly when a drought is declared. Its primary duties involve collecting data, making recommendations on drought levels and responses, and updating a statewide drought management plan every five years. Additionally, the bill grants the agency secretary the authority to order uniform water conservation measures, such as limiting nonessential outdoor water use, across specific drought-affected regions to protect public health and the environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Safe Drinking Water at School Act to mandate annual lead testing for all drinking water outlets in Massachusetts schools and child care centers. It requires facilities to use certified laboratories and specific testing methods to check for lead levels exceeding one part per billion, with a six-month deadline for those previously excluded from the state's assistance program. The legislation defines key terms such as "school" and "drinking water outlet" to ensure clear compliance standards across public, charter, and non-public educational facilities. By updating Chapter 111 of the General Laws, the bill creates a uniform requirement for monitoring water safety to protect student health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts medical examiner to provide autopsy reports to legally entitled individuals within 90 days of taking jurisdiction over a death. The law mandates that if the report is not ready by that deadline, the medical examiner must notify the recipient of the expected completion date and the reason for the delay. This change directly affects families and other parties legally authorized to receive these documents, ensuring they are not left waiting indefinitely for results.