Sen. Paul Feeney

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal protections for survivors of abuse, human trafficking, and involuntary sexual relations by allowing them to have their criminal records sealed or expunged. It creates a legal definition for these victims and establishes a rebuttable presumption that their involvement in certain offenses was a result of being victimized, removing the strict requirement for official documentation to prove their status. The legislation also eliminates waiting periods for sealing records in cases where a judge determines that substantial justice is best served by the relief. Ultimately, the law aims to help these individuals regain access to opportunities by clearing their records when the offense is linked to their victimization.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to teach hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator use as part of the physical or health education curriculum for grades 9 through 12. To meet this requirement, school districts must choose a free training program based on a nationally recognized standard that includes hands-on practice for every student. Participation is mandatory for graduation, but students can be exempted if a doctor certifies that the training would be harmful to them or if a parent or guardian submits a written objection. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to lower the approved costs threshold used in education funding calculations from $45,793 to $37,120. The change directly impacts how the state determines financial eligibility for school districts under Chapter 71B. By reducing this specific monetary figure, the legislation alters the baseline cost metric used in the state's education funding formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect employees from being disciplined or fired for exercising their First Amendment rights regarding political or religious speech, provided their actions do not significantly interfere with their job performance. It specifically prohibits employers from forcing employees to attend meetings or listen to communications where the main goal is to convey the employer's views on political or religious issues. The law allows for exceptions in cases where communication is legally required, necessary for job duties, part of academic coursework, or involves casual conversations, and it does not apply to religious organizations exempt from certain civil rights laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to explicitly include Court Service Coordinators and Assistant Court Service Coordinators in Group 2 of the state's retirement plan. By adding these specific job titles to the legal definition, the legislation ensures that these trial court employees are covered under the same retirement benefits as hospital employees. The change directly affects the roughly 200 individuals currently holding these positions within the state's trial court system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to include specific court staff in Group 2, a category of public employees with distinct pay and benefit rules. It directly affects court service coordinators, housing specialists, psychologists, court reporters, interpreters, and other personnel who interact with criminal defendants or individuals required to appear in court. By adding these job titles to the legal definition, the legislation ensures these workers are classified under the same compensation and benefits framework as other Group 2 employees. The change clarifies that these roles, which involve direct contact with the court system's criminal justice participants, fall under this specific employee grouping.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state reimbursement rate for special education circuit breakers from 75% to 90%. The change directly affects school districts in Massachusetts that provide financial assistance to families with children who have special education needs. By amending a specific section of the state's education laws, the legislation would allow districts to cover a larger portion of the costs associated with these assistance programs. This adjustment aims to provide greater financial support to eligible families while reducing the funding gap for local school budgets.

Maddy summaryAidan's Law amends Massachusetts education law to require public and charter school committees to meet with a student advisory committee at least once every other month during the school year. This advisory group must consist of five students elected by their respective high school or charter school student body. The committee will elect a chairperson annually who serves as a nonvoting member of the school committee or board of trustees, ensuring student voices are included in governance without having voting power. Additionally, the law allows school districts to appoint a student outreach coordinator to help establish the committee and keep students informed about upcoming meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care to create and distribute an informational pamphlet to parents of newborns at hospitals and birthing centers. The document would provide details on the benefits of quality early education, explain how the department licenses and monitors child care providers, and list resources for financial assistance and finding licensed care. By giving families this information at the time of birth, the legislation aims to help parents understand available support systems and the differences between licensed and unlicensed care options.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to discourage employers from closing call centers or moving customer service operations out of Massachusetts by imposing financial penalties and restricting access to state funds. It requires businesses with 50 or more employees to notify the state 120 days before relocating at least 30% of their operations overseas or out of state, with violations subject to daily fines up to $10,000. Companies listed for such relocations would be ineligible for state grants, loans, or tax benefits for five years and would have to repay any previously received financial support, though exceptions exist if the move would cause significant job loss or environmental harm. Additionally, the law mandates that all state-funded call center work be performed by contractors operating entirely within Massachusetts, while ensuring that workers who lose their jobs due to these relocations continue to receive standard unemployment and benefit payments.