Sen. Paul Mark

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help Master of Social Work students in Massachusetts cover the costs of their field placements. The Department of Education would administer these funds, which are intended to recruit and retain students from historically marginalized and low-income communities. To qualify, students must commit to working in the state for at least two years after graduation, and the program prioritizes first-generation college students while requiring at least half of the recipients to identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The financial assistance ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month depending on the student's year of study, with applications accepted annually between January and March.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 160) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Manny Cruz, Susannah M. Whipps, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to Social Work Uplifting Practices and Exam Removal (“The SUPER Act”), report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2673).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmer breweries and pub brewers in Massachusetts to sell their malt beverages at certified agricultural events like farmers' markets and fairs. Under the new rules, these producers can obtain a special license to sell their drinks in sealed containers for customers to take away, provided the event is officially approved by the Department of Agricultural Resources. The legislation also permits brewers to offer small, free samples of their products at these events, with specific limits on the size and number of samples given to each person. To qualify, the brewery must submit a detailed plan outlining the event details and demonstrate that the gathering focuses on local agricultural products.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 478) of James B. Eldridge, Adam Scanlon, Michael J. Barrett, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand the sale of products by farmer breweries; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 387) of Adam Scanlon and others relative to the sale of products by farmer distilleries and wineries, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2629).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 239) of Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins, Patrick M. O'Connor and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish a special commission on creating a more diversified teaching workforce in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 252) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially integrated schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 259) of Julian Cyr, Jack Patrick Lewis, Vanna Howard and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 286) of Adam Gomez and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure diversity in public education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 288) of Adam Gomez, Tram T. Nguyen, Steven Ultrino, Jack Patrick Lewis and others for legislation to promote racially inclusive curriculum in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 299) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Steven Owens and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to address racial and cultural bias training in educator professional development; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 311) of Jason M. Lewis, Manny Cruz, Joanne M. Comerford, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to educator diversity; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 318) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Lydia Edwards, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a permanent commission on American Indian and Alaska Native education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 340) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to enable all students to thrive: protecting a high quality, diverse educator workforce; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 344) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Jack Patrick Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to celebrate and teach Native American culture and history, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2709).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow farmer distilleries and wineries to sell their products at certified agricultural events. Under the new rules, these businesses can sell wine, malt beverages, and distilled spirits in sealed containers for off-premises consumption at indoor or outdoor events like farmers' markets and agricultural fairs. To qualify, the event must be certified by the Department of Agricultural Resources based on criteria such as vendor numbers, operational guidelines, and the presence of an on-site manager. The legislation also sets specific limits on the size of free samples that can be served to customers and requires applicants to submit a detailed plan for the event before receiving a special license.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to regulate outdoor lighting by restricting the use of public funds for new fixtures that do not meet specific efficiency and shielding standards. It requires that new roadway and parking lot lights be fully shielded to prevent light from pointing upward, while also limiting decorative lights to emit less than 500 lumens of upward light. Additionally, the legislation mandates that building-mounted lights must be shielded unless they are specifically designed for façade illumination. These rules aim to reduce energy consumption and light pollution, thereby improving dark-sky visibility for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Rural Policy Advisory Commission to support economic growth and well-being in Massachusetts municipalities with fewer than 500 people per square mile. The commission will consist of 15 members, including state officials and representatives from various regional planning bodies, who will serve staggered three-year terms without pay. Its main duties include researching rural issues, advising lawmakers on policies affecting these areas, and ensuring rural communities receive a fair share of state funding. Additionally, the bill establishes an Office of Rural Policy within the executive branch to oversee the commission's work. The commission will meet quarterly in rotating rural locations and must submit an annual report to the governor and legislature by June 2.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies in Massachusetts to install solar energy systems on new buildings or major renovations starting in 2024. Agencies must ensure these systems cover enough roof space to generate 100 percent of the building's annual electricity needs, or use ground-mounted panels if roof space is limited. The law allows for exemptions if there is insufficient roof area or if a different renewable energy system is installed that meets the same power requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding tool within the Massachusetts School Building Authority to invest in vocational-technical education programs and regional schools. It allocates $3 billion to replace or renovate school infrastructure and purchase critical training equipment to better prepare students for industry-relevant careers. The legislation also adjusts reimbursement rates for these projects, allowing the state to cover between 75% and 90% of eligible construction costs, with higher rates available for schools that align with regional workforce needs.