Rep. Jenny Armini

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how candidates' names are listed on election ballots in the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Instead of following the standard alphabetical order, the town clerk must use a random lottery to decide the sequence of names for each race. Candidates or their representatives are allowed to watch the drawing, which must happen after the final day for nominations but before ballots are printed. The law applies only to Marblehead and does not affect other towns or cities in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to make child support enforcement more family-centered by clarifying when parents can avoid penalties for not cooperating with support agencies. It specifically allows individuals receiving public assistance to refuse paternity establishment or support orders if there is a risk of physical or emotional harm, the child was conceived through rape or incest, or cooperation would discourage other relatives from maintaining a relationship with the child. Additionally, the bill ensures that the first $500 of monthly child support collected for a family is excluded from income calculations when determining benefit eligibility. Finally, it restricts the state's child support agency from providing paternity services in cases where the individual is not legally required to cooperate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-run program to lower out-of-pocket costs for Massachusetts residents with specific chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. It mandates that the state select one generic and one brand-name medication for each condition based on clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness, and safety. Under the new rules, these selected drugs would be covered with reduced co-pays for eligible patients. The legislation also explicitly designates insulin as the covered medication for diabetes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide recycling program for plastic shrink-wrap used to protect boats during winter storage, directly affecting marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, and municipal recycling centers. To fund this initiative, the legislation creates a dedicated Boat Shrink-Wrap Recycling Fund by adding a 10 percent surcharge to boat registration, title, and permit fees. The collected money will be used to support collection sites and provide financial assistance to marine businesses and recycling centers, while the Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with developing the necessary rules and regulations to implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Massachusetts Children's Cabinet within the Governor's office to coordinate state services for children and youth. The Cabinet will be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Education and will include representatives from various departments such as education, health, housing, and social services. Its main duties involve creating a shared vision and strategic plan to improve outcomes in areas like poverty, education, and mental health, while also measuring progress and recommending new programs. Additionally, the Cabinet will develop a "children and youth impact statement" to evaluate how proposed laws and funding affect young people.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Commission on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Management, a seven-member group led by state officials tasked with studying suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. The commission will investigate needs for emergency and outpatient services, professional training, and infrastructure while proposing a dedicated fund to accept charitable donations. By January 1, 2025, the group must submit a report with recommendations to improve access to care, communication channels, and follow-up programs, including guidance on safely handling dangerous items like firearms and medications. Additionally, the Department of Mental Health is directed to develop public resources that help individuals conduct home safety inspections and learn about wellness assistance. The bill also requires the department to launch public awareness campaigns promoting Mass 211 and the Federal 988 suicide prevention hotline.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce trauma for children involved in the court system by strengthening family connections and improving oversight of child welfare decisions. It requires the state department to report quarterly on cases where custody was taken without prior court approval, ensuring transparency in how quickly these decisions are reviewed. The law also mandates that children be placed with relatives or significant caregivers whenever possible and prioritizes keeping siblings together unless there is clear evidence that separation is necessary for safety. Additionally, the bill ensures that children placed apart from their siblings have the right to request a court review of that decision and guarantees frequent visitation between separated siblings to maintain family bonds.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new independent state agency called the Foster Care Review Office to oversee the Massachusetts foster care system. The office would conduct administrative reviews of every child in foster care placement at least every six months to evaluate their progress toward permanent family arrangements. Trained volunteer citizen reviewers would join staff to examine individual cases and provide recommendations, while the office would also generate regular public reports on the system's performance. This new entity would operate separately from the Department of Children and Families to ensure greater transparency and accountability in how foster care cases are managed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to create a grant program designed to help municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits expand access to electric bicycles. The funding can be used to buy and maintain e-bikes, cover related infrastructure costs, and pay for labor and administrative expenses associated with bike-sharing or ownership programs. To qualify, applicants must run a program using electric bicycles and agree to provide some matching funds while following reporting rules. The department is also instructed to prioritize grants for projects located in environmental justice or disproportionately impacted communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect individuals and food establishments from civil lawsuits when they donate food, including items that have passed their expiration dates, to nonprofit organizations or other recipients. The protections apply as long as the donated food is not misbranded or adulterated and was handled in compliance with public health regulations, while also excluding cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor. By removing liability for injuries caused by the condition of such donated food, the legislation aims to encourage more people and businesses to contribute surplus food to those in need without fear of legal repercussions.