Senate, July 24, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder (Senate, No. 2565) (being the text of Senate No. 2558, printed as amended)
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits gas and electric companies regulated by the department from charging customers (ratepayers) for specific non-essential expenses. It bans recovery of costs related to promotional advertising (like encouraging service use), political advertising, lobbying, charitable contributions, executive perks (travel, gifts), and certain other activities. Companies must annually report all prohibited expenses to the department and cannot recover the cost of preparing these reports. Violations trigger non-recoverable penalties, refunds to customers, and potential rebates for ratepayers. The bill directly affects regulated utilities and aims to prevent customer funds from subsidizing activities unrelated to core service delivery.
Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 4526) [Local Approval Received]. April 30, 2026.
Maddy summaryHD 2540 creates a legal process for terminally ill Massachusetts residents to request medication for a peaceful death. It requires patients to be mentally capable adults with a terminal diagnosis (expected death within 6 months), prove Massachusetts residency, and complete a 15-day waiting period after an initial oral request. The process involves two physicians confirming the diagnosis and mental capacity, plus two non-family witnesses verifying the patient’s voluntary participation. Patients with legal guardians are excluded, and the bill explicitly does not affect existing hospice or palliative care options.
Senate, July 24, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill amending certain laws relative to individuals with disabilities (Senate, No. 2563) (being the text of Senate, No. 137, printed as amended)
Filed by Mr. Feeney -- Senate Order relative to granting the committee on Financial Services until June 5, 2026 within which time to make its final report on certain current Senate documents relative to credit union matters.
Filed by Mr. Feeney -- Senate Order relative to granting the committee on Financial Services until June 12, 2026 within which time to make its final report on certain current Senate documents relative to mortgage financing matters.
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 749) of Paul R. Feeney, Marcus S. Vaughn and Brian M. Ashe for legislation to create a task force to review and investigate financial scams across the commonwealth. Financial Services.
Senate, October 23, 2025 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 107) of Joanne M. Comerford and Nick Collins for legislation to establish a bill of rights for children in foster care; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 125) of Ryan C. Fattman, Joseph D. McKenna and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create an electronic backpack for foster children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 127) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael S. Chaisson for legislation to authorize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish additional mandated reporters for the purpose of the protection and care of children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 129) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to require that mandated reporters complete training at least every two years to recognize and report suspected child abuse or neglect; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 133) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to child fatality review; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 148) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to enhance child welfare protections; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 159) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting families dealing with sudden unexplained death in pediatrics; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2585) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish compliance with federal education reporting requirements for out of home placement students, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2659).
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Massachusetts Senate to voluntarily provide specific financial records to the State Auditor regarding fiscal years 2021 through 2024, following a Supreme Judicial Court order that limited an ongoing audit dispute to four document requests. The documents to be released include official budgets, prior audits, balance forward transaction listings, and monetary settlement agreements for the Senate during that period. While complying with the court's scope, the Senate explicitly states it does not concede that the State Auditor has the constitutional authority to conduct a broader performance audit under the current law. The resolution also reserves the Senate's right to challenge any future audit attempts on constitutional grounds and sends a copy of the text to the Supreme Judicial Court, Attorney General, and State Auditor.
