Rep. David DeCoste

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts plumbing codes to establish guidelines for greywater recycling systems in multi-family buildings that use less than 3,000 gallons of water per day. It defines greywater as wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines, explicitly excluding toilet waste and hazardous substances, and allows its reuse for toilet flushing and subsurface irrigation. Local boards of health are authorized to implement and enforce these regulations, including the ability to charge fees for permits, while ensuring that greywater systems do not replace required sewer connections. The legislation aims to encourage water conservation and cost savings without altering existing requirements for blackwater disposal or public sewer connections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires auctioneers in Massachusetts to collect a $50 fee from individuals who buy vehicles with out-of-state titles. The collected fees must be remitted monthly to the Department of Professional Licensure. Additionally, the law mandates that all sales of second-hand vehicles or parts by auctioneers be reported weekly to the registrar of motor vehicles. These changes directly affect auto auctions and the buyers of used cars purchased through them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas stations in Massachusetts to clearly list the price for each fuel grade alongside the specific payment method used to purchase it. If a station sells the same type of gas at different rates depending on whether a customer pays with cash, credit, or debit, the law mandates that all these prices be displayed equally on signs and in advertisements. The rule applies to all retail fuel dealers and aims to improve transparency by ensuring consumers can easily see how payment options affect the cost of their fuel.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pregnant individuals in Massachusetts to enroll in state health insurance plans within 30 days of confirming their pregnancy, rather than waiting for the end of a standard open enrollment period. To qualify, the pregnancy must be certified by a licensed healthcare provider, and if enrolled, the health coverage would begin on the first day of the month that certification is received. The law applies to all qualified health plans available through the state health insurance exchange and is designed to ensure timely access to care during pregnancy. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts real estate appraisal laws to formally define the terms "client," "intended use," and "intended user" within appraisal assignments and reports. It establishes that an appraisal report is prepared exclusively for the benefit of the appraiser's client or intended user as identified at the time of the assignment. Consequently, the bill limits legal liability and disciplinary complaints to these specific parties, preventing other individuals from suing appraisers or filing complaints with licensing authorities. These changes directly affect real estate appraisers and the specific parties they work with to clarify professional responsibilities and legal protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from charging unconscionably excessive prices for essential health-related items, such as masks, disinfectants, and over-the-counter medications, during a declared public health emergency in Massachusetts. It defines a price as excessive if it rises more than fifteen percent above the cost charged immediately before the emergency, unless the seller can prove that out-of-control costs forced the increase. To enforce these rules, the Attorney General or District Attorney can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to twenty-five thousand dollars per offense, along with the forfeiture of profits from the illegal transactions. The law applies to all sellers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow the sale of alcohol on the last Monday in May, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Currently, licensed establishments are prohibited from selling alcohol before noon on these specific holidays. The change removes the noon restriction, permitting sales at any time during the day on these dates. It directly affects liquor stores, bars, and restaurants that wish to sell alcohol on these occasions. The legislation does not alter existing rules for other holidays or times of the year.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in Massachusetts to register on the state's "Do Not Call" list, which currently restricts unsolicited telemarketing calls. By amending existing consumer protection laws, the legislation redefines who qualifies as a "consumer" to include corporations and other entities that use telephone services. The key mechanism involves removing the word "residential" from specific sections of the law and replacing instances of "person" with "consumer" to ensure businesses are covered. Consequently, businesses that opt into the registry would be legally protected from receiving unwanted telemarketing calls, just as individual residents are.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve school safety in Massachusetts by requiring cities and towns to create a special phone line for reporting threats to schools. It mandates that participating municipalities assign a school resource officer to every school building during regular hours and provides state assistance for funding physical security upgrades like hardened locks and surveillance systems. Additionally, the legislation requires school districts to implement specific training for students and staff on how to respond to active shooter situations, along with regular safety audits. Districts must also submit annual reports on their safety policies and activities to state agencies, while keeping specific security plans confidential to protect school safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts school boards to prominently display detailed information about learning materials and educational activities used for student instruction on their websites. The law mandates that schools list specific resources, including lesson plans and training documents, along with their authors and links to the full text where copyright allows. School boards must update this list twice each year and keep it available for at least five years to ensure public access. The legislation aims to increase transparency regarding curriculum and training materials while protecting copyrighted content.