Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan to anyone under 18 years old. To comply, retailers must check a valid photo ID for every purchaser, and the law does not require stores to place these products in locked areas or keep sales records. Violations result in a warning letter for the first offense, fines of up to $150 or $250 for repeat offenders, and a $50 fine for minors who attempt to buy the medication. The law allows sales only when a valid prescription is presented and overrides any local rules that might currently regulate these products.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the options for handling human remains in Massachusetts by legally recognizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction alongside traditional cremation. It directly affects funeral homes, cemeteries, and families by amending state laws to allow these new methods and updating definitions to include them. The legislation requires facilities that offer these services to have their equipment and land designated specifically for the disposal of the dead, similar to current rules for cremation. By adding these terms to various sections of the General Laws, the bill formalizes these processes as standard alternatives for end-of-life care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires publicly traded corporations in Massachusetts to make their tax reports available to the public in a searchable online database. It affects large companies that currently file tax information with the state secretary, mandating that these records be accessible on the internet starting from the third year after the tax year ends. The legislation also ensures that the state secretary provides a list of corporations that failed to file their reports and allows the public to purchase copies of the database or individual reports. By removing previous restrictions, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding the tax activities of major corporate entities without changing the underlying tax laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to require the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to create specific regulations for solid waste disposal facilities located in environmental justice communities. The key provision mandates that these facilities face substantially higher monetary fines for each permit violation compared to others, with the fine amount increasing for repeated offenses. Additionally, the bill allows for the revocation of permits for facilities in these communities that consistently violate permit terms. These measures aim to provide stricter enforcement and penalties for waste facilities operating in areas already facing environmental burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes allowing multiple political parties in Massachusetts to jointly endorse the same candidate, enabling their votes to be combined for that individual. It aims to expand voter choice by permitting coalitions of different parties to support a single nominee rather than requiring separate candidates for each party. The legislation would empower the Secretary of State to create regulations governing how recognized parties can legally cross-endorse candidates through their existing processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change the date of Massachusetts primary elections from their current timing to the third Tuesday in May. The legislation aims to move primaries earlier in the year, before the summer season, to allow for a longer campaign period leading up to the fall general election. It grants the Secretary of the Commonwealth the authority to set specific rules for this new schedule, including provisions for absentee ballots, early voting, and mail-in voting. The stated goal of the change is to increase voter turnout and public engagement in both the primary and general elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Massachusetts legislature to formally express support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and request that the state delegation and U.S. Congress maintain this backing. It highlights the organization's role since 1949 in securing peace in the North Atlantic region and notes that many allies have fought alongside the United States in recent conflicts. The resolution also calls for increased public education about the values and benefits of U.S. membership in NATO. Ultimately, it serves as a symbolic statement of support rather than creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Massachusetts legislature to officially support adding a Federal Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It directs state officials to notify federal authorities of this stance and encourages public education about the amendment's values. The measure reflects the state's desire to expand legal protections for all citizens across the country.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the Massachusetts delegation to Congress and the U.S. Congress to support the creation of a Syrian War Crimes Tribunal under the International Criminal Court. The bill highlights the humanitarian crisis in Syria, where tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced, and calls for an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity. It urges that individuals responsible for these acts be arrested and tried to ensure justice for the victims. The resolution also expresses support for publicizing these efforts to raise awareness about the need for accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the creation of a Massachusetts Climate Action Advisory Council to study and recommend the adoption of German waste reduction standards. The new council would consist of 21 members representing diverse groups, including scientific experts, government officials, business leaders, and educators, and would operate under the Department of Conservation Services. Its primary goal is to evaluate how packaging design and waste reduction strategies from the German Green Dot Program could be applied consistently across the state. The legislation does not immediately enforce these standards but instead establishes a body to analyze their potential benefits for managing waste and protecting the environment.