Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Plastics Reduction Act to limit the use of single-use plastics by retailers and state agencies. It requires businesses to charge a minimum fee of 10 cents for recycled paper carryout bags while prohibiting the provision of plastic bags unless they are reusable or recycled paper. The legislation also mandates that disposable food service items like straws and utensils be available only upon customer request and restricts state agencies from purchasing small single-use plastic bottles. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a program for recycling bulk plastic materials and grants municipalities the ability to develop local recycling initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes a mandatory educational diversion program in Massachusetts for minors charged with specific offenses related to possessing or sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. The Attorney General will lead the creation of this program in collaboration with various state agencies and community groups, focusing on informing youth about legal penalties, social consequences, and the risks of online image sharing. If a child is charged with these offenses, the court will typically pause legal proceedings to require the completion of this program instead of immediate prosecution, unless the district attorney objects. Successful completion of the program allows the case to be dismissed, while failure to participate results in the case being restored for standard legal processing. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of abuse to include "coercive control" and requires schools to teach media literacy skills using materials from the new diversion program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to change how certain public access and cable funds are spent. It allows designated government officials to use these funds without needing a separate legislative approval for each expense. The change directly affects the board or commission managing these specific telecommunications funds. By removing the requirement for further appropriation, the bill streamlines the spending process for these resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to incorporate embodied carbon - the greenhouse gas emissions from building materials and construction processes - into the state's climate policy. It establishes an Embodied Carbon Advisory Board composed of engineers, architects, industry representatives, and housing advocates to guide efforts in measuring and reducing these emissions. The legislation mandates an assessment of current industry knowledge, the creation of best practice guidelines for tracking carbon footprints, and the integration of embodied carbon standards into the state's stretch building energy code.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to change how electricity suppliers can contract with customers on basic service. Currently, suppliers are limited to offering contracts for up to six months, but the bill removes this time restriction to allow for longer-term agreements. The change applies specifically to electricity providers serving customers who do not choose a competitive supplier. By eliminating the six-month cap, the legislation aims to give customers more flexibility in selecting their energy supply terms.

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2763) of Marjorie C. Decker and others relative to the excise tax on cigarettes, cigars, and smoking tobacco. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires married couples in Massachusetts to file a joint state income tax return if they file a joint federal return. The law applies to all tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, and directly affects married taxpayers who currently file separately at the state level. By mandating joint filing for those who file jointly federally, the legislation aims to prevent high-income individuals from using separate state filings to reduce their tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commonwealth Clean Heating Initiative to manage and fund energy efficiency programs, including those for gas distribution companies. It establishes a mandatory fee on electricity and gas bills to raise money for renewable energy projects and heating upgrades, with funds deposited into a state trust. The initiative will oversee these programs while ensuring they are cost-effective and account for the social value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the bill reorganizes existing energy efficiency plans to be administered by this new board in consultation with utility companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Thermal Transition Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents switch from gas heating to clean electric alternatives like heat pumps. The fund will be financed by existing energy revenues and will pay for replacing gas appliances, upgrading electrical services, and fixing building insulation issues needed to support these new systems. Money from the fund will be attached to customers' utility bills, allowing them to pay for the upgrades over time without increasing their monthly energy costs. Additionally, the bill sets aside money to retrain workers currently employed in gas pipeline infrastructure for jobs in renewable thermal energy projects.