Rep. Shirley Arriaga

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Massachusetts' existing anti-bullying laws by making it illegal to retaliate against students or staff who report bullying or participate in investigations. It also requires school plans to include mandatory counseling for both victims and perpetrators, while ensuring parents are informed about bullying prevention curricula and how to report incidents. To improve oversight, the legislation changes bullying incident reporting from an annual schedule to a quarterly one and expands the scope of reportable events to include any reported incident rather than only those that are substantiated. Finally, the bill establishes a pilot program to assign dedicated anti-bullying officers to the five schools with the highest number of reported incidents to assist with investigation and response.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts cities and towns with populations over 12,000 to appoint a full-time veterans' agent or director of veterans' services. Currently, municipalities with this population size may only have part-time staff for these roles, but the law now mandates a full-time position starting at the beginning of each fiscal year. If a qualifying municipality fails to make this appointment, the state secretary can impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each month of noncompliance. The measure directly affects local governments in larger communities and aims to ensure more consistent support for veterans through dedicated staffing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special legislative commission to study how combat experiences affect female veterans and their ability to parent. The commission will examine the short-term and long-term impacts on these women and assess how their children, who live in Massachusetts, are influenced by this background. The panel will include leaders from veterans' affairs, mental health services, and appointed representatives from both legislative chambers and the governor's office. Members must be appointed within 30 days, and the group is required to submit a final report with recommendations within 18 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing and regulatory framework for radiologic technologists and sonographers in Massachusetts to ensure professional standards in medical imaging and radiation therapy. It requires the Department of Public Health to set ethical guidelines, mandate continuing education, and oversee examinations for individuals performing these duties. The legislation also introduces specific protections for pregnant persons by regulating sonography usage outside of traditional hospital settings. Additionally, the bill allows for temporary three-month waivers of licensure when public convenience and necessity require them.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the PLAY Trust Fund to support youth sports for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will manage the fund, which can be used to pay for athletic programs and cover fees that families cannot afford. Money for the fund will come from state appropriations, private donations, and interest earned, and any leftover funds at the end of the year will stay in the account rather than returning to the general budget. The bill also requires the department to publish an annual report detailing how the money was raised and spent, ensuring transparency for the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every school district in Massachusetts to create and submit an annual literacy strategic plan that aligns with state goals and focuses on evidence-based reading instruction. The plans must detail how districts will provide professional development, select core curricula, and offer interventions for students who struggle with reading, particularly in grades K-3. Additionally, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will develop a list of approved training programs and free online modules to help teachers and administrators implement science-based literacy practices. A stakeholder panel will also be formed to recommend improvements for teacher training and licensure related to early literacy by the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services to set specific limits on the number of clients assigned to front-line human service coordinators. Under the new rules, coordinators classified as A, B, or D would be capped at 55 clients each, while those classified as C would be limited to six clients. These caseload restrictions are required to be in place by January 1, 2024, aiming to improve the quality of care provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. The legislation directly impacts the staffing and operational standards of the state agency responsible for supporting children, families, and persons with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal bill of rights for children in the Massachusetts foster care system to ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being. It requires the Department of Children and Families to provide these rights to every child upon entry into care, during key meetings, and in an age-appropriate manner, while also making the document available on the department's website and in offices. The legislation outlines specific protections, including freedom from discrimination and abuse, access to culturally relevant items, and the right to be placed in safe environments rather than secure facilities due to a lack of foster homes. Additionally, the bill mandates that children receive timely notice before placement changes and have the opportunity to meet potential foster families before being placed with them.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new role of education manager within the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to oversee educational stability for children in the state's care. The legislation also requires the department to hire at least one full-time education coordinator at each area office to monitor student progress and assist caseworkers with educational needs. Additionally, the bill establishes specific duties for these positions, such as developing education policies, ensuring timely record transfers, and facilitating school enrollment for children under the department's custody.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts public schools to include American Sign Language in their educational programs. It specifically mandates that schools recognize the value of sign language for children with autism, noting its visual nature and ability to facilitate quick communication without assistive devices. By changing the word "may" to "shall" in existing state law, the measure makes the inclusion of sign language a mandatory requirement rather than an optional one.