Sen. Paul Feeney

Maddy summaryH 4806 creates a new Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board within the Division of Occupational Licensure. The board will consist of seven members: four appointed by the governor (two from auto body repair, two from insurance), two appointed by the Attorney General (one from the AG's office, one from the industry), and one neutral chair appointed by the licensing commissioner. This board will oversee the licensing and regulation of auto damage appraisers in Massachusetts. The bill establishes specific appointment rules, including term limits and a requirement for balanced industry representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state-aided public housing for the elderly to allow pet ownership under specific, non-discriminatory rules. It prohibits outright bans on dogs (including breed-based restrictions), declawing, or evictions solely for having a pet, while permitting reasonable requirements like pet deposits (max $160 or one month’s rent), spaying/neutering, and emergency care plans. Housing authorities must develop written policies for different housing types (apartments, single-family homes, etc.) and establish pet committees for grievance handling. An advisory group will help update regulations and create guidance for implementing these policies, with violations subject to penalties under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 1307) formalizes pet-friendly policies for elderly residents in state-aided public housing across Massachusetts. It directly affects elderly tenants by prohibiting housing authorities from banning dogs based on breed, size, or appearance, requiring declawing, charging pet deposits over $160 or one month’s rent, or evicting solely for having a pet. Key provisions include banning breed restrictions, limiting deposits, and requiring housing authorities to update pet ownership regulations. An advisory group, including tenant advocates and animal welfare representatives, will help develop housing-specific pet policies and guidance for housing authorities. The bill aims to standardize pet access while ensuring housing authorities comply with these new requirements.

Maddy summarySD 2051 requires contractors bidding on government contracts over $50,000 to disclose any recent OSHA violations (within the last 4 years) for themselves or affiliated businesses, including proof that hazards were corrected. It also mandates that contractors ensure subcontractors disclose similar violations and update this information every 6 months. For trench excavation permits, applicants must disclose OSHA violations, permit suspensions, fines, or site shutdowns related to trench work. The law aims to inform contracting decisions by making safety violation history a factor in determining a contractor's "responsibility." This directly affects businesses seeking state government contracts or trench excavation permits.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for workers who report work-related injuries or illnesses by creating a strong presumption of retaliation if an employer takes adverse action within 90 days of such protected activity. It expands the definition of prohibited retaliation to include actions like denying employment relationships or falsely claiming injuries aren't work-related, and requires employers to post multilingual notices about worker rights. Workers who face retaliation can now seek treble damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief through civil court. The bill also clarifies that employers must indemnify insurers for unpaid wages required by law, ensuring workers receive full compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal privilege protecting confidential communications between employees and their labor unions during representation matters. It directly affects employees seeking union assistance, current union members, and labor organizations by shielding private conversations - such as those about organizing, grievances, or contract negotiations - from forced disclosure, except in limited cases like preventing serious crimes. The law establishes clear definitions for terms like "representation" and "confidential communication," and specifies that unions and employees can refuse to disclose such protected exchanges in legal proceedings. The privilege applies across all relevant Massachusetts labor laws covering public and private sector unions.

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1999) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts and create a down payment trust fund. Revenue.

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1103) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to increase fines and penalties for check fraud and check washing. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1072) of William J. Driscoll, Jr., Dylan A. Fernandes and Paul R. Feeney for legislation to deposit money from fines collected from texting while driving into the head injury treatment services trust fund. The Judiciary.

Maddy summarySD 2273 sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff salaries meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (per Bureau of Labor Statistics), with proportional increases for front-line staff like case managers and supervisors. The bill also changes how fringe benefits and payroll costs are calculated, benchmarking them to health/education sector costs instead of the Consumer Price Index. It applies to human services providers and state agencies contracting for these services, with a planning process beginning July 1, 2025. The law ensures these wage adjustments won’t reduce funding for existing social service programs.