Rep. Priscila Sousa

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts education code to require schools to include prescription opioid abuse prevention in their violence prevention curriculum. The change specifically directs educators to teach students about the prescription drug epidemic and explain how misuse of these medications can lead to addiction to other substances like heroin. By adding this topic to existing legal requirements, the legislation ensures that all public schools address the risks associated with prescription opioids as part of their standard safety education.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Abigail Adams Center for Women in STEM within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to support women working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The center aims to address the underrepresentation of women in these fields by offering grants for startup costs, business incubator services, and entrepreneurial training. It also provides networking opportunities, help with business planning, and marketing assistance to help women launch and grow their own companies. By establishing this dedicated program, the legislation seeks to create more favorable workplace environments and commercialization opportunities specifically for women in the STEM sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Universal Pre-Kindergarten Commission to study how Massachusetts can provide pre-kindergarten education to every three- and four-year-old child in the state. The commission will be led by the Department of Early Education and Care and include representatives from various sectors, such as private preschools, teachers' unions, and school superintendents, to analyze different program models and funding options. By December 31, 2024, the commission must submit a report with specific recommendations on how to expand access, ensure quality standards, and determine the most effective way to finance the program. Additionally, the bill mandates that any surplus funds remaining in the Convention Center Fund after covering its required expenses be transferred to the Department of Early Education and Care to support the expansion of pre-kindergarten offerings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to ensure that the Massachusetts School Building Authority cannot reject a school district's application for funding solely because the buildings in need of repair are old. The legislation requires the authority to invite all eligible applicants to apply for grants, regardless of the age of their facilities, while still allowing the agency to use building age as one factor when prioritizing projects or deciding which ones to approve. By removing age as an automatic disqualifier, the law aims to give schools with older infrastructure an equal opportunity to compete for repair funds alongside those with newer systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts wage payment laws to ensure employers pay employees on time and at no cost to the worker. It mandates that wages be delivered via cash, electronic transfer, direct deposit, or a specific type of payroll card that includes free withdrawal options. The legislation also requires employers to offer employees a choice of payment methods and to provide clear written information about any fees associated with payroll cards. Additionally, the law protects workers by prohibiting expiration dates on payroll cards without free replacements and ensuring consent for electronic payments is voluntary and not a condition of employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to strengthen suicide prevention efforts within public schools and charter schools. It requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules mandating that school districts form partnerships with community organizations to refer students to mental health, substance use, and social support services. Additionally, the legislation shortens the timeline for school districts to implement suicide prevention plans, reducing the requirement from three years to one year and the review period from six months to 60 days. These changes directly affect school administrators and districts by establishing clearer, faster deadlines and a formalized process for connecting students with external health resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create guidelines for teaching neurodiversity in K-12 schools, with input from the Department of Early Education and Care. It also establishes a nine-member commission to study neurodiversity education across early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels. The commission includes representatives from government departments, the legislature, teachers, and neurodiverse adults, and must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders within four months.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to provide free disposable menstrual products, such as tampons and sanitary napkins, in the restrooms of their buildings. The law mandates that these items be made available in a way that does not stigmatize individuals seeking them. It directly affects public universities and colleges by ensuring access to essential hygiene products for menstruating students and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to fund high-quality pre-kindergarten education for children aged two to kindergarten age in Massachusetts. To receive funding, school districts must partner with community programs and meet strict standards, including small class sizes, qualified teachers with competitive salaries, and inclusive practices for children with disabilities. Grants will be awarded based on a combination of community readiness and the percentage of high-need students in the district, with priority given to underperforming areas. Recipients must create detailed implementation plans, track student progress, and submit regular reports to ensure the programs improve third-grade reading scores and close achievement gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program within the Department of Mental Health to support nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. The funding is intended to help these organizations train their staff in behavioral health and expand supportive services for communities frequently targeted by bias. Grants can be used for specific initiatives such as mental health first aid training, culturally responsive referral systems, and community education to reduce stigma. The program requires that grants be distributed equitably across the state and aligned with recent hate crime data, with a final report on the program's performance due six months after the first grants are issued.