By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1736) of Michael O. Moore, Dylan A. Fernandes, Paul W. Mark, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a board of hoisting machinery regulations. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1392) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for a special commission to study available behavioral health services and to make recommendations for improving access to behavioral health services for children and families in the commonwealth. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 825) requires car rental companies to use accurate odometers and prohibits misleading renters about vehicle mileage, directly affecting rental businesses and customers. It mandates that rental companies provide secondary insurance coverage if renters lack their own liability insurance, but only for short-term rentals (under 30 days). The bill also clarifies that rental companies do not need to verify driver's licenses through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. These provisions aim to prevent fraud and ensure basic insurance coverage for renters using distance-based or short-term rental systems.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides tuition and fee waivers at Massachusetts public colleges for students who were legally placed under guardianship (per Chapter 190B, Section 5-201) and are living with a grandparent or other relative (not a parent) when they turn 18 or enroll in college. It directly affects qualifying Massachusetts residents in this guardianship situation who attend public higher education institutions. The state, not the colleges, covers the waiver costs after exhausting any federal reimbursements. This policy change specifically targets financial barriers for youth raised by extended family in guardianship.
Senate, September 2, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 924) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to tuition waivers for children raised by a grandparent or other relative, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No.2592).
By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1884) of Liz Miranda, Sal N. DiDomenico, Michael F. Rush, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to teacher retirement election. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Wellfleet's Selectboard to lease town-owned property at 715 Old Kings Highway (the site of the Wellfleet Adult Community Center) to the non-profit Wellfleet Food Pantry for 25+ years. The lease allows the pantry to construct a new building on the property, overriding standard town leasing rules. The bill directly affects the Wellfleet Food Pantry and the town's property management, with no broader policy changes beyond this specific lease authorization.
Senate, June 26, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 2543) (being the text of Senate, No. 2538, printed as amended).
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission by changing its name and adjusting its membership structure. It directly affects the commission itself and the town of Nantucket, as the change requires local approval (which has been received). The key mechanism is updating the commission's official designation and composition through legislative action, without altering its core functions. The bill is procedural and does not introduce new policies or funding.
Senate, July 10, 2025 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 323) of Brendan P. Crighton and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibit the use to personal electronic devices in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 333) of John J. Cronin and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices in K-12 public schools by students; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 335) of Julian Cyr, Andrea Joy Campbell, Attorney General , Nick Collins and Barry R. Finegold for legislation to promote safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 381) of John F. Keenan, Mark C. Montigny and Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. for legislation to limit cell phones in classrooms; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 424) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to regulate the use of mobile communication devices in educational institutions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 461) of John C. Velis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, James C. Arena-DeRosa, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit access to personal electronic devices and social media in public schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 463) of Kirstin Beatty, for legislation to regulate screen time and technology privacy in early and K-12 education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2549).
