Rep. Josh Cutler

By Representatives Fiola of Fall River and Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3245) of Carole A. Fiola, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows. Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 15-member legislative commission to study how service animals are used in Massachusetts and to investigate issues like fraud and misrepresentation. The commission will include representatives from law enforcement, disability advocacy groups, business owners, and animal training organizations to review current laws and compare practices in other states. Its findings, due by April 1, 2025, will offer recommendations on whether to update existing definitions, introduce penalties for misuse, or implement a certification system for service animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to improve safety standards for commercial kennels and dog daycares by establishing a dedicated fund to support efforts in reducing homeless animal populations. It requires kennel owners to obtain a license before operating and mandates that these facilities pass an inspection by an animal control officer before the license is issued or renewed. The legislation also empowers local officials to inspect kennels at least once a year and creates a process for citizens to petition for hearings if they believe a kennel is causing a nuisance through excessive barking or other conditions. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create detailed regulations covering facility requirements, staff training, and safety protocols for businesses that board or train dogs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits family and juvenile courts in Massachusetts from discriminating against parents with disabilities when making custody or parenting time decisions. It requires judges to consider a parent's disability as a neutral factor unless there is clear evidence that the disability directly harms the child and cannot be fixed through accommodations like adaptive equipment or supportive services. If a court decides a disability negatively impacts a custody ruling, it must provide written findings explaining the specific harm to the child and why accommodations would not prevent it. The legislation also formally defines key terms such as "disability" and "supportive parenting services" to ensure consistent application across legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new law in Massachusetts to prevent individuals convicted of specific animal cruelty crimes from owning, fostering, or working with animals. It directly affects people who have been found guilty of offenses such as animal abuse or neglect, banning them from possessing or residing with animals for a minimum of five years for a first offense and fifteen years for repeat offenses. The law requires courts to notify animal control and licensing officials about these restrictions within thirty days to ensure enforcement, while also allowing convicted individuals to petition the court once per year to potentially shorten the ban if they demonstrate rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires covered employers in Massachusetts to submit detailed wage data reports alongside their existing annual reports to the state secretary. The state secretary will then compile this information and publish aggregate wage statistics on the executive office of labor and workforce development website, organized by industry and released annually by June 1. While the bill mandates the collection and public release of these aggregate statistics, it explicitly excludes the individual wage data reports from being considered public records, thereby protecting specific employer information from public disclosure.

By Representative Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2254) of Smitty Pignatelli and others for legislation to further regulate healthcare services to a patient via telehealth. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's Division of Developmental Services to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The legislation specifically mandates coverage for applied behavior analysis and various augmentative and alternative communication devices, such as tablets, when deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. By expanding these insurance benefits, the bill aims to ensure that individuals with these conditions have access to essential care that helps develop, maintain, or restore their functioning.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission in Massachusetts to study and design a state grant or low-interest loan program for properties at risk of flooding. The commission will include representatives from government agencies, elected officials, and private sector experts to evaluate funding sources, eligible costs, and applicant qualifications. Its primary task is to develop a detailed plan that considers financial risks and climate adaptation strategies, with final recommendations due by December 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate whether Massachusetts should create a program to spray pesticides against gypsy moths. The commission will examine current laws, funding needs, and the potential economic, environmental, and public health impacts of such a program. It is composed of state officials and three members appointed by the governor, the Senate president, the House speaker, and the Senate minority leader. The group must submit its findings and draft legislation to relevant state agencies within one year of the bill's passage.