Sen. Paul Mark

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that on construction projects in Massachusetts exceeding one million dollars, a specific percentage of work hours be performed by apprentices in approved training programs. The law mandates that contractors and subcontractors follow a phased schedule where 5% of hours are done by apprentices six months after the bill passes, increasing to 10% after one year, and reaching 15% after two years. These requirements apply to all trades subject to prevailing wage laws and must comply with existing apprentice ratios set by relevant license boards. The legislation aims to create a more skilled workforce by ensuring larger public and private projects integrate more trainees into their operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to expand financial compensation and support services for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes. It lowers the legal standard required to prove innocence from "clear and convincing evidence" to a "preponderance of the evidence," making it easier for claimants to qualify for relief. The legislation also mandates that courts prioritize these cases on a fast track and allows judges to award damages based on lost earnings and other consequences of incarceration. Additionally, the bill requires the state to assign social service advocates to help eligible individuals access transitional services for their physical, social, and emotional needs after release. These changes directly affect people who have been exonerated and the legal system responsible for processing their compensation claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to transfer a 28-acre parcel of land in Pittsfield to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield for use as a cemetery. The transfer will occur through a release deed, with the price set at the fair market value agreed upon by both the state agency and the bishop's office. The recipient is responsible for covering all related costs, such as surveys and legal fees, and the land will be given in its current condition without any warranties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Consumer Health Data Act in Massachusetts to protect individuals' personal health information from unauthorized collection and use. It defines "Consumer Health Data" broadly to include medical records, genetic information, biometric data, and even health-related data inferred from other sources like purchase history. The law requires companies to obtain clear, written, opt-in consent from consumers before collecting or sharing this data, explicitly banning consent obtained through pre-checked boxes or general terms of service agreements. Additionally, the bill establishes strict rules for how data can be shared with affiliates and excludes certain categories like employment records and approved scientific research from these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to allow government employees to receive retirement service credit for specific types of past part-time work, including roles held by elected officials. The legislation authorizes retirement boards to grant this credit based on a proportionate calculation for service periods where individuals were not eligible for membership or chose not to join the retirement system. The change applies to various employment categories such as temporary, seasonal, and intermittent positions, provided the service occurred after the relevant retirement system became operative. By adding this provision, the bill ensures that time spent in these roles can count toward future retirement benefits under defined rules and actuarial approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Massachusetts laws against wage theft by expanding the Attorney General's ability to take legal action on behalf of workers who have been underpaid. It allows the Attorney General to file civil lawsuits seeking lost wages and benefits, with a provision that successful workers receive triple the amount owed to them as compensation. The legislation also clarifies that violations of wage theft laws are criminal offenses rather than just civil matters and protects employees from retaliation if they report these violations. These changes aim to increase employer accountability and provide a more robust public enforcement mechanism for recovering unpaid wages.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new privacy law that prohibits companies from selling or sharing precise cell phone location data about individuals within the state. The legislation defines location information as data accurate enough to identify a person's street-level position within a 1,850-foot range and requires any company sharing this data to obtain explicit, informed consent from the user. Covered entities, which include businesses but exclude government agencies and non-commercial individuals, must ensure that consent is freely given and not obtained through deceptive design or hidden terms. By banning the sale of this specific type of data, the bill aims to protect personal privacy and limit the ability of third parties to track people's movements without their permission.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill proposes to raise the state minimum wage to $20.00 per hour and establish a mechanism for future annual adjustments based on inflation. It applies to both public and private employers across the Commonwealth, ensuring that wage increases maintain employee purchasing power over time. The legislation also clarifies that paying an oppressive or unreasonable wage is against public policy, making such employment contracts legally void. By setting a specific dollar amount and a formula for future hikes, the bill aims to align the minimum wage more closely with a living wage without requiring new legislative action each year.

Senate, July 3, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 313) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 916) of William N. Brownsberger and Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to governmental and charitable tort liability; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1038) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1039) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to amend the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1446) of Michael S. Day relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of minors; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1536) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1614) of John J. Lawn, Jr., Carol A. Doherty and Vanna Howard for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2853).

By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield and Senator Mark, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Paul W. Mark that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation be authorized to convey a certain parcel of land in the city of Pittsfield to the Diocese of Springfield. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.