Rep. Donnie Berthiaume

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the composition of the Ware River Watershed Advisory Committee by removing two existing representatives: one from the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation and one from the Upper Ware River Watershed Association. It replaces them with three new representatives: a local Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts snowmobile club representative, a local equestrian group representative, and a representative from the New England Mountain Bike Association. The change directly affects who serves on the committee responsible for advising on watershed management. This is a procedural adjustment to committee membership with no other policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4370) sets specific fees for court transcript requests. It establishes rates of $4.50 per page for original transcripts, $1.50 for copies, and $7.50 for electronic copies (in open-source format), with reduced rates for indigent individuals ($0.15/page) and rush requests ($6.75/page for originals). The bill also specifies that courts, not parties, pay for transcripts ordered by judges or prosecutors in criminal cases. It directly affects courts, legal parties, and indigent defendants by standardizing transcript costs and payment responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Brooke Public Housing Apprenticeship program to train public housing residents in skills needed to prepare vacant apartments for occupancy. It requires the state housing and labor offices to create a training program developed with input from housing authorities, residents, and industry groups, focusing on job skills, placement, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program directly affects public housing residents (by offering training and jobs) and public housing authorities (by providing trained workers to prepare units efficiently). It authorizes labor department grants to fund the apprenticeship program, aiming to speed up reoccupancy while making better use of housing capital funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes Massachusetts' requirements for becoming a certified public accountant (CPA). It creates three pathways to licensure: a bachelor's degree with two years of experience, a bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours with one year of experience, or a master's degree with one year of experience. The bill also simplifies reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states by requiring only that they meet Massachusetts' education/experience standards and passed the CPA exam - eliminating prior verification steps. These changes take effect for new applicants on January 1, 2026, while the reciprocity update applies immediately. The bill directly affects aspiring CPAs and licensed professionals seeking to practice across state lines.

Maddy summaryH 4356 updates Massachusetts CPA certification requirements to modernize pathways to licensure. It establishes three certification routes: a bachelor's degree with two years of experience, a bachelor's plus 30 additional education credits with one year of experience, or a master's degree with one year of experience. The bill also simplifies reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs who passed the Uniform CPA Exam and meet the new education standards, allowing them to practice in Massachusetts without additional licensing - except for those who passed the exam before December 31, 2024, who are exempt from the education requirements. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting individuals seeking CPA certification or practicing in Massachusetts.

By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., relative to the cap on work hours for retirees, and retirees with disabilities. Public Service.

Senate, July 10, 2025 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 323) of Brendan P. Crighton and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibit the use to personal electronic devices in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 333) of John J. Cronin and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices in K-12 public schools by students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 335) of Julian Cyr, Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General , Nick Collins and Barry R. Finegold for legislation to promote safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 381) of John F. Keenan, Mark C. Montigny and Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. for legislation to limit cell phones in classrooms; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 424) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to regulate the use of mobile communication devices in educational institutions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 461) of John C. Velis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, James C. Arena-DeRosa, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit access to personal electronic devices and social media in public schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 463) of Kirstin Beatty, for legislation to regulate screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2549).

The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill to promote student learning and mental health (Senate, No. 2549), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2561).

By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., for legislation to increase the amount of hours that retired public employees may work for certain additional public service. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school districts to create policies prohibiting student cell phone use during instructional time, directly affecting K-12 students in Massachusetts public schools. The key provision mandates that school policies must ban phones unless a teacher specifically directs their use for learning. It amends existing law to require this policy as a standard practice in all public schools. The change focuses on classroom management by establishing a clear, district-level requirement for phone restrictions.