Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill updates state laws to ensure equal legal rights for all children regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or how the child was conceived. It removes outdated language referring to "children born out of wedlock" and establishes a clear policy that every child has the same protections under the law. The legislation defines parentage through various means, including birth, adoption, court orders, and assisted reproduction, while also updating terminology to be gender-neutral. A key provision prevents a presumed parent's legal status from being challenged after the child turns two unless specific conditions, such as lack of genetic connection or multiple presumed parents, are proven.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts cities and towns that offer curbside trash pickup to also provide curbside recycling collection for their residents and businesses. It mandates that waste collection services deliver appropriately sized containers to customers and pick up recyclables at least once every two weeks. The legislation also prohibits waste transporters from knowingly mixing recyclable materials with trash destined for landfills or transfer stations. Additionally, any facility offering a drop-off site for trash must also provide a place for residents to recycle. The bill defines specific materials that qualify as recyclable, such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic, while excluding compostable organic matter.

April 22, 2024 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1379) of Adam Gomez, Jason M. Lewis, Sal N. DiDomenico and James B. Eldridge for legislation to improve oral health for all Massachusetts residents; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2253) of Smitty Pignatelli and others for legislation to expand patient access to oral health care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2740).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts gun laws to require licensed dealers to conduct background checks on buyers of firearm frames and receivers, parts that can be assembled into guns. It defines these components as the structural housing for firing mechanisms and prohibits dealers from selling or transferring them unless they are part of a fully assembled weapon. The legislation also designates the Attorney General's office as the authority responsible for enforcing these new licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a monthly payment plan option for drivers in Massachusetts who owe $250 or more in tolls, fines, or fees related to the Pay By Plate or E-ZPass MA systems. Under the new rules, eligible individuals can pay a minimum of $25 per month using credit, debit, check, or money order, and they will not face additional late fees once they start the plan. The legislation also allows the Department of Transportation to prevent the suspension of a driver's license or vehicle registration if the person is actively making payments in good standing. If a driver misses a payment by more than 30 days or commits another violation, their license or registration will be revoked again until the debt is fully resolved.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a monthly payment plan option for drivers in Massachusetts who owe $250 or more in unpaid tolls, fines, or fees under the Pay By Plate or E-ZPass MA systems. Under the new rules, eligible drivers can make automatic monthly payments of at least $25 without incurring additional late fees on their existing debt. The legislation also allows the Department of Transportation to stop reporting unpaid tolls to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which would otherwise block license renewals, provided the driver is actively participating in the payment plan and has made at least one payment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional facilities in Massachusetts to appoint a dedicated staff member as an LGBTQI+ coordinator to oversee housing safety and program access for incarcerated individuals. The legislation mandates that facilities offer voluntary intake disclosures regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and homophobic or transphobic sentiments to ensure appropriate housing placements and prevent discrimination. It also defines specific standards for general population housing and establishes rules to protect the privacy of sensitive information while making aggregated data publicly available. These measures aim to improve rehabilitation outcomes by guaranteeing health, treatment, and safety for LGBTQI+ people within the state's prison and jail systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new Massachusetts public bank that would be entirely owned by the state to hold a portion of public funds and invest them within the commonwealth. The bank is designed to support local economic goals by providing affordable financing to small businesses, minority and women-owned enterprises, cooperatives, and family farms, while also addressing needs in affordable housing and climate change mitigation. To ensure transparency and community involvement, the bank must operate under a governance structure that includes public input and will be supervised by the commissioner of banks for safety and soundness.

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2334) of Carlos González, Bud L. Williams and Jason M. Lewis relative to tracking, tracing and stopping illegal firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.