Rep. Bill Galvin

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts all Stoughton police officer positions (all ranks except the Chief of Police, who was already exempt under prior law) from Massachusetts civil service rules under Chapter 31 of the General Laws. It applies only to future appointments and promotions starting after the Town of Stoughton's May 8, 2024, Annual Town Meeting vote, not affecting current officers' status. The exemption means new hires and promoted officers will no longer need to meet standard civil service requirements like competitive exams. This change directly impacts the Town of Stoughton's police department hiring and promotion processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops regulated under 330 CMR 12.00, directly affecting most pet shop operators in Massachusetts. It allows exceptions for pet shops partnering with animal rescues (without owning the animals) and permits existing shops meeting specific conditions - like unchanged ownership and prior sales history - to continue selling these animals. Violations carry civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense and possible license suspension. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not override local town/city regulations on animal sales.

Maddy summaryHD 495 limits annual rent increases for most residential tenants to 5% plus the consumer price index or 10%, whichever is lower, affecting landlords and tenants in non-subsidized housing. Landlords may exceed this limit only with written justification for major improvements (like structural repairs), and tenants can appeal increases through a new rental arbitrator position in the Attorney General's office. The arbitrator must resolve disputes within 90 days, order rent refunds for violations, and impose fines up to $1,000 for repeated offenses. Landlords cannot deny lease renewals to avoid these limits, and the arbitrator must annually report on rental market trends.

Maddy summaryHD 3816, the "Safe Communities Act," prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from asking about immigration status during routine interactions (except when legally required) and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires written consent with clear explanations in multiple languages before DHS interviews of people in custody, and bans automatic notifications to DHS about individuals' release from custody (except for end-of-sentence releases). The law also prohibits police from acting as immigration officers under federal agreements and mandates training for law enforcement on these provisions. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts residents, especially immigrant communities, and apply to state/local police, sheriffs, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHD 3456 creates new support for family caregivers in Massachusetts. It establishes an advisory council to develop policy recommendations and reports on caregiving needs, and provides two concrete financial supports: (1) a respite services voucher covering up to $1,500 annually for caregivers with household income under $250,000 (adjusting yearly for inflation), and (2) a refundable tax credit covering up to $1,500 for eligible caregiving expenses like home modifications, equipment, hiring help, or respite care. The bill directly affects Massachusetts residents caring for eligible family members (18+ needing assistance with daily tasks like bathing or dressing) who meet income thresholds. Key provisions include income limits, expense categories, and annual reporting requirements for both programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires 24-hour gasoline stations (retail dealers) in Massachusetts to install and maintain backup generators that power fuel dispensers, payment systems, and safety equipment. During a declared emergency (by Governor or President), stations must activate these generators within 24 hours of a power outage to resume fuel sales. Non-compliant stations face civil penalties up to $1,000 for first offenses and $2,500 for repeat violations, with inspections conducted by the Office of Consumer Affairs. The law aims to ensure continued fuel access for emergency services and the public during power disruptions caused by disasters.

Senate, February 9, 2026 -- The committee on Election Laws to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2605) of Paul R. Feeney and William C. Galvin (by vote of the town) for legislation to further regulate town elections in the town of Canton, report the accompanying resolve (Senate, No. 2937).

Maddy summaryHD 728 creates new penalties for drivers who recklessly flee police officers. It imposes fines ($100-$1,000), up to two years in jail, or both for evading officers while endangering people or property. A conviction also requires a 60-day driver's license suspension. The law specifically defines reckless evasion as causing property damage or committing three or more traffic violations during the evasion. This directly affects drivers who flee police under these conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts medical malpractice law to change how certain cases are handled. It sets a 50% threshold for patients to recover damages for "loss of opportunity" (e.g., a better health outcome), requires plaintiffs to prove a provider breached the standard of care, and changes interest rates on malpractice judgments to a Treasury yield-based rate plus 2%. These provisions directly affect healthcare providers facing lawsuits and patients filing malpractice claims. The bill does not address healthcare costs or quality reviews directly, as its focus is solely on litigation procedures and damages calculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 581) revises Massachusetts medical peer review processes and malpractice lawsuit procedures. It expands the definition of "medical peer review committee" to include pharmacy quality reviews and requires healthcare groups to follow peer review standards even if not legally mandated. Insurers must annually report malpractice claim data (excluding patient/provider identifiers) to the Betsy Lehman Center for patient safety research. The bill also mandates board-certified expert witnesses in physician malpractice cases and allows courts to order periodic payments (rather than lump sums) for future damages exceeding $50,000 in qualifying cases.