Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that legal parentage rights apply equally to all families, regardless of the parents' gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. It replaces gender-specific terms like "father" and "mother" with neutral language such as "other parent" and "person who gave birth," while also changing "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the statutes. The legislation introduces new definitions for various family arrangements, including surrogacy and assisted reproduction, to clarify how different types of parents are recognized under the law. By amending existing chapters on birth certificates and family law, the bill aims to provide consistent legal protections for children born through diverse circumstances, including those resulting from surrogacy or non-marital births.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts zoning laws to require that all cities and towns allow family child care homes to operate in private residences. By removing the ability of local municipalities to prohibit or regulate these facilities, the legislation aims to increase the availability of childcare options for families. The change directly affects local governments by restricting their zoning authority over in-home childcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Governor of Massachusetts to issue an annual proclamation designating May as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The measure directly affects state leadership by establishing a formal, yearly recognition for this specific health condition. It does not allocate funding or change medical regulations, but rather creates a symbolic observance to highlight the disease. The law takes effect immediately upon passing and serves to bring public attention to Huntington's disease during the designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a central registry to recruit and screen qualified individuals for over 700 state boards and commissions in Massachusetts. It requires the Office of Boards and Commissions to actively promote membership opportunities through various media channels and to annually survey current members about their continued service and suggestions for new candidates. Additionally, the legislation allows for the payment of a nominal stipend to members of certain professional boards that meet frequently, compensating them at a rate equivalent to three hours of minimum wage per meeting.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special legislative commission to study ways of informing the public about their right to submit petitions for laws and constitutional changes in Massachusetts. The commission, which would include members from both political parties and independent representatives, is tasked with holding public hearings across the state to gather feedback on improving access to this process. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to create and distribute a guide explaining how citizens can exercise their right to file petitions. The committee would serve for an 18-month period to develop recommendations for revitalizing this civic engagement mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow the Board of Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy to reimburse municipalities for specific costs incurred while applying for certain programs. It also authorizes the board to charge application fees to cover these reasonable municipal expenses. The changes directly affect local governments that seek funding or approvals from the board, ensuring they can recover some of their administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to establish an independent Energy Facilities Siting Board within the Department of Public Utilities. The board will review the environmental and public health impacts of proposed projects, including transmission lines, gas pipelines, and oil facilities, while ensuring a reliable energy supply at the lowest possible cost. For generating facilities, the board will focus solely on environmental impacts, allowing market forces to determine the need and cost of those specific projects. Additionally, the legislation requires the board to solicit input from the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Public Health when relevant concerns are raised.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ban the sale of specific mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs, aiming to reduce environmental contamination from these lamps. Starting January 1, 2024, screw and bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps will be prohibited, with a complete ban on pin-base compact and linear fluorescent lamps taking effect on January 1, 2025. The legislation includes important exceptions for specialized uses, such as lamps required for medical germicidal applications, industrial printing, and scientific research involving coral or ozone generation. By clearly defining which light sources are restricted and which are exempt, the law provides a structured timeline for retailers and consumers to transition away from older lighting technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Massachusetts' carbon pricing system by requiring state officials to implement market-based fees or charges on specific sectors to meet greenhouse gas emission goals. The plan introduces a phased approach, starting with commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings by 2026, followed by industrial processes in 2027, the transportation sector in 2028, and finally residential heating and cooling in 2029. These fees are designed to cost at least $50 per ton of carbon emissions initially, increasing by $10 annually up to a maximum of $200 per ton, while also aiming to protect low-income communities and prevent pollution from other contaminants. Revenue generated from transportation-related fees will be distributed as rebates to residents and employers or added to the state's transportation fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the Department of Energy Resources into four specific divisions to better oversee energy efficiency, renewable energy, building decarbonization, and green community initiatives. It mandates that the department's council approve energy plans only if they align with state greenhouse gas emission limits and requires a two-thirds majority vote for these approvals. The legislation also establishes new definitions for district heating systems, energy storage, and microgrids while directing the council to prioritize underserved populations in its efficiency programs.