Sen. Paul Feeney

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts unemployment compensation rules to clarify how workers are treated during labor disputes and lockouts. It allows employees to receive benefits if their unemployment is caused by a strike or work stoppage lasting at least 30 days, provided the dispute is not due to the employer's failure to follow existing contracts or laws. The legislation also ensures that paying union dues does not count as participating in a dispute and prevents benefit denial for workers who are ready to work during a lockout, unless the employer can prove the lockout was a response to specific property damage or threats. Additionally, the bill clarifies that separate departments within a workplace can be treated as distinct locations for determining eligibility during a strike.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new state regulations requiring specific health facilities in Massachusetts to implement safe patient handling and mobility policies. It directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities by mandating the replacement of manual lifting with mechanical devices like powered lifts and motorized beds. The law requires these facilities to conduct ergonomic evaluations, perform needs assessments for patient care areas, and train qualified personnel on proper lifting techniques and equipment use. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "direct caregiver" and "lifting and transferring process" to ensure consistent application of these safety standards across covered institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Massachusetts to publicly display salary ranges for job postings on their websites or other recruitment materials. It directly affects businesses and organizations that hire employees within the state by mandating transparency regarding compensation. The key provision is that these salary ranges must be clearly visible to applicants before they apply, ensuring candidates know the pay scale associated with a position. This measure aims to provide clearer information to job seekers without changing how employers determine or negotiate individual salaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the Secretary of State to publish an annual report on average wages across specific industries. The report will cover sectors including agriculture, mining, utilities, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and retail trade. By aggregating wage information already collected from employers, the legislation aims to make pay data more accessible to the public. This change directly affects the Secretary of State's reporting duties and provides employees and the public with clearer insights into industry compensation trends.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Massachusetts Routes 1, 20, and 6 as historic United States Routes. It requires the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain official markers for these roads that display this new designation. The law ensures these specific routes are recognized for their historical significance through physical signage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Massachusetts with 15 or more employees to disclose salary ranges for job postings and provide them to applicants and employees upon request. It defines a pay range as the compensation an employer reasonably expects to offer for a specific role and mandates that this information be shared during job advertisements, promotions, and transfers. The law prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under this act and establishes penalties, including fines and potential legal action by the Attorney General, for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill directs the Attorney General to run a public awareness campaign to inform both employers and the public about these new transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private and nonprofit employers in Massachusetts with at least 100 full-time employees to submit detailed wage and demographic data to the state. Covered entities, which also include the governor and mayors with large workforces, must provide this information annually by the EEO-1 or EEO-4 reporting deadlines. The state will then compile and publish these aggregate wage reports on its website starting in 2024, broken down by specific industries such as healthcare, construction, and retail. The legislation aims to increase pay transparency by making industry-wide wage data publicly available for comparison.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts pesticide regulations to require schools, child care centers, and universities to prioritize using safer pest control products. It mandates that these facilities use pesticides classified as exempt by the EPA or those containing only ingredients approved for organic farming, unless a hardship waiver is granted. The legislation also modernizes reporting requirements by specifying that certain records must be submitted electronically through a state portal.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to further regulate the thoroughbred horse breeding program in Massachusetts by establishing a system of cash prizes and incentives. It allows the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association to distribute bonus money to breeders based on race performance and to offer incentives to stallion owners who keep their animals within the state during the breeding season. The legislation also sets specific rules for determining which horses are considered "Massachusetts-bred" or "accredited" based on where the mare resides, where the foal is raised, and where the stallion stands. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on breeding activities and permits the association to use up to 12 percent of its annual funds for advertising and program administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Racing Board within the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to oversee live horse racing and simulcasting. The board will consist of three members appointed by the governor, including at least one licensed veterinarian with equine experience, who will be responsible for regulating pari-mutuel wagering and off-track betting. Key provisions establish strict conflict-of-interest rules for board members, require them to have significant administrative experience, and define their duties to administer related laws while serving as a host racing commission. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify what constitutes illegal gaming and formally establishes the new board's role in enforcing regulations for racing facilities.