March 21, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 266) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to enhance the educational outcomes of expectant and parenting students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 282) of Anne M. Gobi and Steven S. Howitt for legislation to promote a healthy culture and climate within schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 285) of Adam Gomez and Michael J. Barrett for legislation relative to dropout prevention and recovery; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 290) of Adam Gomez, Lydia Edwards, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 294) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Sal N. DiDomenico, James B. Eldridge and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 300) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to safer schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 305) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to promote safe firearm storage education and increase the well-being of students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 341) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to dropout prevention and student recovery; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 348) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry for legislation relative to parental notification in public schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2663).
Rep. James Arena-DeRosa
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a student loan repayment program designed to support human services workers in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees of community-based organizations that receive funding from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The legislation creates a new section in state law to define eligible providers and set up the framework for offering loan repayments to encourage individuals to enter and remain in the human services field. By providing financial assistance for student loans, the bill aims to address workforce stability and recruitment challenges within these essential community programs.
By Representative Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2511) of Patricia A. Duffy and James C. Arena-DeRosa relative to the retirement benefits of certain education administrators. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve emergency housing support for children and families in Massachusetts who are experiencing homelessness. It requires the state department to provide immediate shelter on the same day a family applies, as long as the family declares they have no other housing options. The law also mandates that shelter rooms be private with separate doors and lighting control for each family, and it prohibits denials based on a lack of verified documentation. Additionally, the bill ensures that staff can quickly access necessary databases to process applications without delay.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to update the rules for licensing social workers in Massachusetts to ensure fair treatment and clearer pathways for those seeking certification. It modifies existing state laws by removing gendered language, eliminating redundant exam requirements, and creating a new provisional license for applicants who have failed the social work associate exam twice but are within a specific score range. Under the new provisions, individuals granted this provisional license would have one year to complete required professional development and supervision before receiving a full license without needing to retake the exam. The changes directly affect social work applicants, current licensees, and the Board of Social Work Examiners by streamlining the licensure process and standardizing terminology.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurance companies in Massachusetts to send cancellation, renewal, or nonrenewal notices electronically if the policyholder agrees. It adds a new section to the state's insurance laws that permits this electronic communication method with the named insured's consent. The change applies to all insurance policies and takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to update how local councils on aging operate and are staffed. It changes the official description of these councils to focus on the "needs of older adults" rather than "problems of the aging" and clarifies that they can deliver services in addition to running programs. The legislation also updates terminology to refer to council employees as "staff" and grants directors of advisory councils the authority to hire employees based on local needs. These changes directly affect the legal framework governing aging councils across the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows married spouses to work as paid caregivers for their partners under the MassHealth program, which provides home-based care and services. By amending state law, the legislation removes the current restriction that prevents spouses from receiving payment for this role, provided it does not violate federal regulations. The state's health and human services office is required to submit the necessary paperwork to federal authorities within six months to make these changes official. This policy change directly affects families in Massachusetts who rely on MassHealth for assistance with daily living activities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Massachusetts Flexible Housing Pool Program designed to help homeless individuals with complex medical, mental health, or substance use needs secure permanent supportive housing. The program creates a centralized funding pool that combines federal emergency assistance with state resources to provide flexible financial support for housing and related services. Eligible applicants, including cities and local care organizations, can access these funds to move people out of shelters and into stable living arrangements. By creating a coordinated system for distributing money, the legislation aims to improve the efficiency of ending chronic homelessness across the state.