Sen. Jason Lewis

Senate, July 25 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 470) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Michael O. Moore, Paul K. Frost, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve Massachusetts home care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2555).

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 689) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to improve access to infertility treatment. Financial Services.

Maddy summarySD 2273 sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff salaries meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (per Bureau of Labor Statistics), with proportional increases for front-line staff like case managers and supervisors. The bill also changes how fringe benefits and payroll costs are calculated, benchmarking them to health/education sector costs instead of the Consumer Price Index. It applies to human services providers and state agencies contracting for these services, with a planning process beginning July 1, 2025. The law ensures these wage adjustments won’t reduce funding for existing social service programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts employers to adopt written anti-harassment policies by January 1, 2027, and provide annual training to employees on preventing unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment). It mandates training content covering legal requirements, examples of harassment, bystander intervention, internal/external remedies, and supervisory responsibilities, with specific standards for interactive and anonymous question features in online sessions. Employers must maintain records of training completion for five years. The law applies to all employers in Massachusetts, with tailored examples required for businesses with 100+ employees.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1157) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to determine the best interest of children in probate and family court. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 210) updates Massachusetts family court guidelines for determining child custody arrangements. It defines key terms like "shared decision-making responsibility" (both parents making major choices about education, health, and upbringing) and "shared residential responsibility" (children spending significant time with both parents). The law requires courts to prioritize the child’s best interest - considering their well-being, adjustment, and safety - without presuming shared custody. It mandates detailed parenting plans covering education, medical care, dispute resolution, and schedules, while removing automatic preferences for either shared or sole custody arrangements. The bill directly affects parents, family courts, and children in custody cases across Massachusetts.

Maddy summarySD 1802 strengthens wage theft protections by requiring employers to provide new written wage notices to employees within 10 days of hire, detailing pay rates, benefits, and company details. It establishes joint liability for lead contractors, labor contractors, and subcontractors when wage theft occurs, meaning all can be held responsible. The Attorney General gains expanded power to file civil actions for unpaid wages, seeking triple damages and attorney fees, and can pursue injunctive relief. The bill also ensures unemployment benefits are calculated as if wages were properly paid when wage theft is proven during the benefit period. It directly affects employers, contractors, and employees in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 12-member task force to review Massachusetts laws on domestic violence and sexual assault reports and confidentiality. The task force includes officials from law enforcement, victim services, and survivors' advocates, plus appointed members from legislative leaders. It will assess current laws (including Chapter 41, Section 97D), identify gaps, and develop recommendations to protect survivors' confidentiality without shielding perpetrators. The task force must submit its final report to the legislature within 18 months of the bill's effective date. This is a procedural bill establishing a review process, not a direct policy change.

By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1158) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to enhance state anti-trust powers and enforcement. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1154) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to visitation and family court matters in domestic violence cases. The Judiciary.