By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 681) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Julian Cyr and others for legislation relative to trans-inclusive health care access. Financial Services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires most Massachusetts employers (those with more than 25 employees) to adopt written anti-harassment policies by January 1, 2027, and provide annual interactive training to all employees focused on preventing sexual harassment and unlawful retaliation. The training must cover specific examples, bystander intervention, internal/external remedies, and supervisory responsibilities, with online sessions requiring anonymous Q&A and participation tracking. Employers must maintain records of training completion for five years and provide written policy copies to all employees at hire or role change. Smaller employers (25 or fewer employees) are exempt from these requirements.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1155) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to extend the statute of limitations for human trafficking. The Judiciary.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 848) requires all Massachusetts employers, employment agencies, and labor organizations to adopt written anti-harassment policies and provide annual training to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers must create policies detailing prohibited conduct, complaint procedures, and consequences by January 1, 2027, and provide written copies to all employees by that date. The annual training, starting January 1, 2027, must cover harassment examples, bystander intervention, internal/external remedies, and supervisory responsibilities, with a minimum of one hour per year. Employers must maintain records of policy distribution and training completion for five years and comply with specific interactive and content standards for the training.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1152) of Jason M. Lewis and Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to the termination of rental agreements or tenancy by certain tenants. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1159) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to provide for the development of a graduate judicial training school. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1153) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the protection of vulnerable adults from sexual assault committed by mandated reporters, persons in a position of trust and providers of transportation. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1156) of Jason M. Lewis, Brian W. Murray, James K. Hawkins, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to protect the privacy of 911 callers. The Judiciary.
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1250) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to strengthen the commonwealth's Anti-SLAPP law. The Judiciary.
Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens pesticide restrictions around Massachusetts schools and childcare facilities. It requires schools, childcare centers, and related properties (including sports fields for youth teams) to use only EPA-exempt pesticides or those listed on the National Organic Program's approved ingredients, with hardship waivers possible at the department's discretion. The law expands coverage to include all properties within 150 feet of these locations and applies to any entity hiring pesticide services, whether public or private. These changes directly affect schools, childcare providers, and pesticide applicators operating near these facilities.
