Sen. Paul Feeney

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new task force within the Department of Transportation to address roadside litter. The group will include representatives from transportation, tourism, public safety, environmental affairs, and a local environmental organization. Its main duties are to design a statewide anti-littering campaign and analyze the costs and methods for cleaning up roadsides. Additionally, the task force will study current enforcement practices and fine structures to recommend improvements. The group must submit its final report with specific recommendations to state officials by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission to conduct a study on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of frontline, direct-care nurses. The investigation will gather input from various state agencies, healthcare providers, and nursing organizations to examine the specific stressors nurses faced, such as patient surges and high death rates. The study aims to evaluate existing mental health resources and propose ways to improve access and quality of care for this workforce. By December 31, 2024, the commission must submit a final report with its findings and any legislative recommendations to relevant state committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory arbitration process to resolve collective bargaining impasses between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and recognized employee organizations. If negotiations remain deadlocked for thirty days after a fact-finding report is published, the dispute will be referred to an arbitration panel or a single arbitrator who will hold a hearing to review the final offers from both sides. The arbitrator must then select one of these final offers as the binding resolution for the dispute, and the decision becomes final upon issuance of a written opinion. This legislation directly affects state employees and their unions by creating a structured mechanism to end stalled contract negotiations without further delay.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that private employers with eleven or more employees provide hazard pay and protective equipment to essential workers during a public health state of emergency. Hazard pay is set at one and a half times the worker's regular hourly rate for any hours worked while a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order is in effect, while employers must also supply recommended personal protective equipment at no cost to employees. Additionally, the law prohibits employers from penalizing workers who refuse to work if they reasonably believe the job poses a serious health threat, have a high-risk health condition, live with someone at elevated risk, or lack childcare due to school closures. The provisions apply only to private-sector essential businesses and explicitly exclude government employees and certain exempt professional roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program in Massachusetts that matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits when recipients buy fruits and vegetables. The Department of Transitional Assistance will run this initiative alongside the Departments of Agricultural Resources and Public Health to encourage healthier food choices among SNAP users. A dedicated state fund will be established to finance these matching benefits through various sources, including federal grants and private donations. The program specifically applies to purchases at participating vendors and covers fresh, canned, dried, or frozen produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts labor laws to allow public employees to strike after a mandatory six-month negotiation period. It extends the time required for mediation in labor disputes to no more than six months and removes certain restrictions that previously applied once negotiations reached an impasse. The law specifically prohibits strikes, work stoppages, or service slowdowns by public safety workers and other public employees until this six-month window has passed. These changes directly affect public sector workers and their unions by altering the timeline and conditions under which they can legally stop working.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Massachusetts to petition the court to seal their eviction records if the eviction was not caused by nonpayment of rent or a breach of the lease agreement. The law defines specific terms such as "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing and requires that all appeals be exhausted before a petition can be filed. By removing these records from public view, the legislation aims to help tenants with clean rental histories improve their chances of securing future housing. The changes apply to anyone with a relevant court record in the state's trial court system.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal presumption that certain medical conditions or work-related absences for frontline healthcare workers are caused by occupational exposure to COVID-19. It specifically protects workers who were infected or required quarantine by June 15, 2021, by allowing them to take time off without using accrued sick leave, vacation, or personal time. The legislation mandates that employers must allow these workers to return to their previous positions once their quarantine or recovery period ends, provided the employer followed relevant safety guidelines like providing personal protective equipment. Additionally, the bill considers healthcare workers eligible for unemployment benefits if they choose not to return to work due to a good-faith concern about exposure.

Maddy summaryThis bill reformes alimony laws in Massachusetts to clarify how existing court orders are handled and to introduce new rules for modifying payments. It establishes that alimony orders agreed upon in writing as permanent or non-modifiable can only be changed if both the paying and receiving spouses consent. The legislation also updates definitions for alimony terms and creates specific pathways for modifying payments based on the recipient's cohabitation with another person or the payor reaching full retirement age. Additionally, it allows courts to consider a payor's retirement as a significant change in circumstances that warrants reviewing an alimony order.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large retailers and manufacturers in Massachusetts with over $100 million in annual revenue to publicly disclose their efforts to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains. Companies must post this information on their websites or provide it in writing to consumers upon request, detailing specific actions like supply chain verification, supplier audits, and employee training. The law applies to businesses that list retail trade or manufacturing as their primary activity on state tax returns and mandates that these disclosures explain the extent of their compliance with human trafficking laws. Violations of the transparency requirements can result in legal action by the state attorney general seeking an injunction.