Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 4440) provides specific retirement and disability benefits to Lieutenant Deputy Sheriff Brian McPherson, who became permanently disabled while on duty in 2008. It requires the Boston Retirement Board to increase his disability pension to match what he would have earned as a lieutenant deputy sheriff had he continued working, covers his medical expenses related to his injury, and pays out his accumulated annuity savings. The bill also establishes survivor benefits: his spouse would receive 75% of his pension upon his death, and children under 18 (or older if incapacitated or in school) would receive payments if both McPherson and his spouse predecease them. This is a targeted legislative act for one individual, not a general policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in certain public safety employees was caused by their job duties, if diagnosed within five years of leaving service and not present at the time of hiring. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, airport crash crews, and military fire department members. Under the bill, these employees can receive benefits as if the PTSD occurred "in the line of duty" unless their employer proves it resulted from non-work factors like disciplinary actions. Benefits would be paid retroactively from the date the employee last received regular compensation.

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 181) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for legislation to establish a pilot program for veterans to use medical marijuana to treat medical conditions that are currently being treated with opioid-based medicine and combat opioid use disorder. Cannabis Policy.

Maddy summaryH 4371 establishes a 15-member commission to study the misuse of service animals in Massachusetts, including intentional misrepresentation (e.g., falsely claiming a pet is a service animal). The commission will examine current laws, fraud prevalence, benefits for people with disabilities, and practices from other states, with a report due by April 2026. It will recommend potential policy changes, such as clarifying "service animal" definitions or creating civil penalties for fraud, and assess the feasibility of registering service animals. The bill does not create new laws but sets up a review process to inform future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 574) expands protections for domestic violence victims by extending workplace leave and safety measures to contract workers. It defines "contract worker" as individuals hired through third parties (like staffing agencies) but not classified as direct employees under current law, and "client employer" as businesses using such workers. The key change amends existing law to require both direct employers and client employers to permit "employees or contract workers" to take leave or adjust schedules for domestic violence protections. This directly affects contract workers in industries like temporary staffing, who previously lacked these safeguards under Massachusetts law. The bill modifies Chapter 149, Section 52E, to close a coverage gap without creating new funding or penalties.

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 139) of John F. Keenan, Michael J. Barrett, Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the General Court for legislation to update terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts cities and towns to establish a 24/7 phone line for reporting threats to school buildings and publicize it widely. It mandates that every school building must have a school resource officer present during regular school hours, accompanied by a formal agreement with the police department. School districts must implement specific policies including active shooter training for staff/students, annual safety audits of buildings, and physical security upgrades like single access points and surveillance systems. These requirements apply directly to all public schools, school districts, and local police departments across Massachusetts.

By Representative Marsi of Dudley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 643) of John J. Marsi, Marcus S. Vaughn and Todd M. Smola relative to regional school transportation reimbursement. Education.

Maddy summaryHD 1428 permanently establishes a Foundation Budget Review Commission to evaluate Massachusetts' school funding formula every five years. The commission, composed of education leaders, legislative leaders, and school district representatives, will review how foundation budgets are calculated, recommend changes to better align with educational goals and student assessment needs (like MCAS), and suggest efficient resource allocation. It must hold at least four public hearings statewide before issuing recommendations, with the first report due by November 1, 2025. This bill directly affects public school funding decisions across Massachusetts by creating a permanent process for reviewing and updating the state's school finance system.

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida that the town of East Bridgewater be authorized to exempt uniformed positions within the police department of said town from the civil service law. Public Service.