Sen. Paul Feeney

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to adjust the maximum annual benefit amount for public retirees receiving pension supplements. It replaces a fixed dollar limit of $18,000 with a new calculation based on 85 percent of the maximum Social Security benefit available to a worker retiring at full age. The change directly affects public employees who rely on these state-funded benefits to supplement their retirement income. By linking the cap to Social Security rather than a static figure, the legislation ensures the benefit limit adjusts automatically with changes in Social Security payouts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction contractors and subcontractors in Massachusetts to hire apprentices from state-approved programs on specific building projects. Under the new rules, these companies must have an active apprenticeship program and employ apprentices throughout the duration of the contract, with a new requirement effective in 2025 that the program must have successfully trained at least three apprentices to journey worker status in the past five years. Contractors must also submit proof of compliance and identify their apprenticeship program to the Attorney General within 45 days after a contract is awarded. The law applies to contracts issued more than 90 days after the bill takes effect and covers a wide range of construction, maintenance, and repair work.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission to offer lottery games online through websites and mobile apps. It directly affects residents who wish to play the lottery digitally by allowing them to purchase tickets within the state while ensuring they are at least 18 years old. Key provisions require strict age verification, limit transactions to those initiated within Massachusetts, and give players the ability to set deposit limits or voluntarily exclude themselves from playing. The legislation also mandates that online lottery accounts remain private and that the commission continues to promote traditional in-person sales through licensed agents.

By Representative Chan of Quincy and Senator Feeney, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan and Paul R. Feeney for legislation to clarify self-storage laws. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to reduce toxic chemicals in firefighter gear by banning the sale of equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals, a class of fluorinated substances, starting in 2027. It directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and local governments that buy or sell firefighting personal protective equipment such as jackets, pants, and helmets. Before the ban takes effect, the law requires sellers to provide written notice to buyers explaining that the gear contains these chemicals and the reasons for their inclusion, with records kept for three years. The legislation defines key terms like "firefighting personal protective equipment" and "local governments" to ensure clarity in enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to conduct a comprehensive study on access to essential health services provided by acute care and psychiatric hospitals across the state. The study will analyze current hospital capacity, review past service discontinuations and closures since 1992, and assess financial factors like reimbursement rates that might lead to future cuts. It will also project regional needs for the next decade, examine how other states handle similar issues, and offer policy recommendations to ensure continued access to critical care. Ultimately, the legislation aims to gather data and propose solutions to prevent gaps in healthcare availability for Massachusetts residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants legislative employees in the Massachusetts General Court the right to collectively bargain regarding their working conditions. It achieves this by amending state law to explicitly include these employees under the collective bargaining framework previously reserved for executive branch workers. The legislation defines "legislative employees" to cover a wide range of staff, including those working for committees, caucuses, and administrative offices, while allowing specific managerial or confidential roles to be excluded from bargaining units. Additionally, the bill updates conflict of interest rules to create procedures for handling potential conflicts involving exclusive representatives for these employees.

Senate, July 22, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to successful transition and re-entry to tomorrow for incarcerated persons (Senate, No. 1506),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2883).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional facilities in Massachusetts to begin preparing incarcerated individuals for re-entry at least 120 days before their release. Specifically, it mandates that officials secure necessary documents and apply for state identification cards, prioritizing REAL ID-compliant licenses if possible, or standard licenses if full documentation cannot be obtained. The legislation also expands the types of addresses accepted for identification purposes, allowing individuals to list the home of a family member, a temporary group residence, a community institution, or a city hall address if they lack a permanent residence. Additionally, the bill defines "family member" broadly to include extended relatives and establishes a process where notices are sent to third-party address providers to allow them to object before an address is listed on an ID.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to address controlling and abusive litigation, specifically targeting legal actions taken by individuals who have a history of abuse or harassment against a family or household member. The legislation defines such litigation as cases where the accuser has a prior court finding of abuse and is suing primarily to harass or intimidate the other party, often by making claims without legal basis or evidence. Key provisions allow courts to dismiss these specific types of lawsuits if the allegations are unsupported by law or facts, or if similar issues have already been decided unfavorably in previous court cases.