Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules banning public schools from using athletic team names, logos, or mascots that reference Native Americans or denigrate any racial, ethnic, gender, or religious group. The legislation requires schools currently using such imagery to select new alternatives by a specific deadline set by the board. While the ban applies to new team identities, schools are permitted to keep existing uniforms and materials if they stop purchasing new items with the prohibited names and remove the imagery from facilities during future maintenance. The law explicitly allows Native American tribes to use their own names for their sports teams and permits a public school to use a tribal name only if that specific tribe gives explicit consent.
Rep. Tom Stanley
Sponsored bills
By Representatives O'Day of West Boylston and Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2246) of James J. O'Day, Edward R. Philips and others for legislation to authorize attending physicians to prescribe medical aid in dying medication that will end the life of patients in a peaceful manner. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission in Massachusetts to study blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The commission will consist of 25 members, including state officials, industry representatives, and consumer advocates, who must meet within 90 days to begin their work. Its main task is to investigate how blockchain could be used by government and businesses, examine tax implications for digital assets, and determine the best ways to protect consumers while encouraging responsible adoption. The group will also look at energy usage, regulatory oversight, and barriers that might prevent certain groups from participating in these emerging technologies. Ultimately, the commission will produce a master plan with recommendations for expanding blockchain use in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for any lost revenue resulting from discounted or free fishing and hunting licenses. By amending existing state law, it ensures that the fund receives annual payments from the general fund to cover these specific financial shortfalls. The measure directly impacts the state's budget for wildlife conservation and affects the funding available for inland fisheries and game management programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to address shortages in Massachusetts' direct care and dementia workforce by creating new training and career advancement opportunities. It establishes a pilot program to provide free Certified Nursing Assistant training and testing to up to 1,000 individuals in areas with high workforce needs, offering a $1,000 bonus to graduates who remain employed for at least one year. Additionally, the legislation creates a career pathway that allows home health aides to advance to Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse roles within the state. The bill also expands the list of medical fields considered for certain health services to include geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, neurology, and neuropsychology.
By Representative Hogan of Stow and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2197) of Kate Hogan, Julian Cyr and others for legislation to protect public health from PFAS. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents and local governments address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. The fund is designed to cover remediation costs for municipalities, private well owners, and public water systems without requiring additional annual appropriations from the state budget. Money for the fund will come from settlements related to claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam, and any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll over to the next year. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs is responsible for administering the fund and ensuring expenditures align with existing legal settlements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate the current status of wild striped bass populations in Massachusetts. The commission will evaluate how commercial and recreational fishing impact these fish and will include representatives from government agencies, fishing industries, and scientific experts. To gather information, the group must hold public hearings in Gloucester, New Bedford, Boston, and on Cape Cod. By December 31, 2024, the commission is required to submit a final report with its findings and any recommended laws to the governor and state officials.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to offer extra pay to their property assessors who hold specific professional certifications. Under the new rules, eligible full-time assessors could earn an additional bonus of up to $3,000 a year, while part-time workers might receive up to $500, depending on the level of certification they hold. To qualify for these payments, assessors must complete required training, obtain a recognized certificate, and submit proof of their credentials to their local government. The legislation applies only to municipalities that choose to adopt these provisions, and any extra pay is calculated as a percentage of the assessor's regular salary.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to conserve striped bass populations in Massachusetts by prohibiting the commercial harvesting and sale of wild striped bass, with limited exceptions for existing licensed fishermen. It establishes a fixed catch limit for current commercial license holders based on their five-year average landings, while banning the issuance of any new commercial licenses or the transfer of existing ones. The legislation also requires annual catch reporting and mandates that all commercially sold striped bass be tagged to identify their grower or distributor. Additionally, the bill sets specific fines for violations and includes a provision to completely cease the issuance of commercial striped bass licenses by January 1, 2027.