Rep. Jack Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase the minimum cash wage that employers must pay to tipped employees, raising the floor from $6.75 to $10.95 over several years. Under the new rules, an employer's cash wage cannot be lower than the specified amount, and any shortfall between that base wage and the standard minimum wage must be made up by the employee's tips. The legislation applies to all tipped workers, provided they are informed of the change and retain their own tips, while still allowing tip pooling among staff who regularly receive gratuities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Consumer Health Data Act to regulate how companies collect, use, and share personal health information. It directly affects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain clear, specific, and voluntary written consent before gathering sensitive data such as DNA, biometric scans, and health metrics. The law prohibits obtaining consent through broad terms of service, passive actions like hovering over content, or deceptive design choices like pre-checked boxes. Additionally, it defines key terms like "affiliate" and "biometric data" to ensure clarity in how these protections apply across different types of health-related information.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require police and fire department members hired after 1978 to live within fifteen miles of the city or town where they work, unless they are covered by a different state chapter. The distance is measured from the nearest border of the workplace municipality to the nearest border of the employee's residence. Local governments may allow a longer distance if it is specified in a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Consumer Health Data Act in Massachusetts to protect individuals' personal health information from unauthorized collection and use. It defines "Consumer Health Data" broadly to include medical records, genetic information, biometric data, and even health-related data inferred from other sources like purchase history. The law requires companies to obtain clear, written, opt-in consent from consumers before collecting or sharing this data, explicitly banning consent obtained through pre-checked boxes or general terms of service agreements. Additionally, the bill establishes strict rules for how data can be shared with affiliates and excludes certain categories like employment records and approved scientific research from these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase the minimum cash wage that employers must pay to tipped employees, raising the rate from $6.75 to $10.95 over four years. The legislation directly affects businesses that employ workers who receive tips, such as restaurants and bars, by setting a higher baseline salary that does not rely on gratuities. Under the new rules, the total hourly pay for these workers must equal the standard minimum wage, with any shortfall made up by the employer rather than the tips the employee receives. Employers are required to inform affected workers of these changes, and the law allows for tip pooling among staff who regularly receive tips.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend Massachusetts law to ensure that the state minimum wage applies to both public and private employers. The key provision explicitly states that the minimum wage rules override any conflicting state laws, such as those regarding tipped minimum wages. By removing the word "It" and adding "public or private," the legislation aims to create a uniform minimum wage standard across all workplaces in the state. This change would directly affect all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of whether they work for the government or a private company.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new privacy law that prohibits companies from selling or sharing precise cell phone location data about individuals within the state. The legislation defines location information as data accurate enough to identify a person's street-level position within a 1,850-foot range and requires any company sharing this data to obtain explicit, informed consent from the user. Covered entities, which include businesses but exclude government agencies and non-commercial individuals, must ensure that consent is freely given and not obtained through deceptive design or hidden terms. By banning the sale of this specific type of data, the bill aims to protect personal privacy and limit the ability of third parties to track people's movements without their permission.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill proposes to raise the state minimum wage to $20.00 per hour and establish a mechanism for future annual adjustments based on inflation. It applies to both public and private employers across the Commonwealth, ensuring that wage increases maintain employee purchasing power over time. The legislation also clarifies that paying an oppressive or unreasonable wage is against public policy, making such employment contracts legally void. By setting a specific dollar amount and a formula for future hikes, the bill aims to align the minimum wage more closely with a living wage without requiring new legislative action each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special legislative commission to study the intentional misrepresentation and misuse of service animals in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of seventeen members appointed by various government officials and representatives from disability advocacy, business, and service dog organizations. Its primary task is to review current laws, investigate the prevalence of fraud, and examine practices in other states to determine if new regulations or penalties are needed. Additionally, the commission will explore whether service animals should be required to have a certification or registration system. The group must submit its findings and recommendations by April 1, 2025, to state legislators and relevant committee chairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public agencies and municipalities to require Project Labor Agreements on public construction projects if they determine it is in the best interest of the state. Before mandating such an agreement, officials must evaluate factors like construction efficiency, worker availability, project safety, and opportunities for diverse groups including women, minorities, and veterans. The Department of Labor Standards will also create new rules to encourage more minority-owned businesses to participate and ensure the workforce reflects the local community demographics.