Rep. Manny Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts, charter schools, and approved private schools to integrate opioid use disorder education into existing health curricula. It mandates teaching specific topics, including opioid types, overdose identification, naloxone use and access, reducing stigma around naloxone, and medical amnesty protections for laypeople who assist during overdoses. The education standards must be incorporated into current health classes without creating new standalone courses. The bill does not impose new funding requirements but allows the department to seek external funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "green plus community" program requiring municipalities to establish emissions baselines, commit to reducing emissions by at least 20% within 5 years, adopt specific energy codes, and develop implementation plans. It also establishes annual carbon intensity limits for large buildings, allowing for building-use-specific standards and alternative compliance methods (including reduced payments for low-income buildings). The bill increases funding for community programs to $40 million (with $10 million reserved for green plus communities) and creates a Building Energy and Emissions Retrofit Funding Program to support deep energy retrofits, excluding fossil fuel system conversions. These provisions directly affect municipalities, building owners, and developers of large commercial, industrial, and residential properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits new gas facilities or expansions within 5 miles of environmental justice neighborhoods, except when required for public safety. It mandates that Massachusetts gas companies submit detailed "just transition plans" by 2026, covering workforce training, retention, and pipeline retirement timelines through 2050 to align with net-zero emissions goals. These plans must address maintaining safe service while shifting to renewable energy alternatives and include measures for employee support during the transition. The requirements apply to all gas distribution companies operating in Massachusetts under Chapter 164.

Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2836).

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard. Housing.

Maddy summaryMassachusetts Baby Bonds (HD 2031) creates a state trust fund providing financial support to low-income children born on or after July 1, 2024, who received TAFDC cash assistance or were under DCF care in their first year. The fund, administered by the state treasurer, offers designated beneficiaries access to money for eligible uses like community college, home purchases, entrepreneurship investments, or approved financial assets. Beneficiaries aged 18-35 can apply to use their allocated funds (called "accounting") for these purposes, but must use the funds within the state and cannot assign their share to others. Unused funds after age 35 or upon death before 35 return to the trust fund, and the program explicitly excludes these funds from asset calculations for welfare benefits.

Maddy summaryH 4807 updates Massachusetts' data security laws by defining key terms and strengthening protections for personal information. It directly affects Massachusetts government agencies, departments, and businesses (called "service providers") that handle residents' data, including new categories like biometric data (e.g., fingerprints) and neural data (e.g., brain activity measurements). The bill expands what counts as "personal information" to include sensitive details like health history, precise location data, and financial account numbers, and requires clearer breach notifications - such as free security freeze options - within 30 days of discovering a breach. It also mandates that organizations implement security programs to protect data and comply with federal standards.

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 88) of Liz Miranda for legislation to protect cannabis equity businesses by enforcing ownership limits. Cannabis Policy.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 86) of Jason M. Lewis and Manny Cruz for legislation to support cannabis equity businesses by creating a searchable online database of all operational cannabis dispensaries. Cannabis Policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new rules for how companies in Massachusetts handle consumers' health information. It directly affects businesses that collect health data (like fitness apps, health insurers, or telemedicine services) by requiring clear, specific consent before gathering or sharing such data. Key provisions include banning deceptive website designs meant to trick users into agreeing, prohibiting consent obtained through broad terms of service, and defining strict limits on selling health data to third parties. The law also clarifies that precise location data used to find health services is protected under these rules.