Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to report how much economic funding, such as loans and grants, goes to minority-owned businesses. It also mandates that major hospitals and universities with significant operating expenses submit annual reports detailing their efforts to purchase goods and services from these certified minority-owned businesses. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create a comprehensive economic development plan that specifically addresses racial and ethnic disparities in employment and business ownership. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure that public funds and institutional purchasing power support diverse entrepreneurs across Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into Massachusetts by defining key terms and assigning regulatory authority to the state Department of Transportation. It specifically categorizes vehicles based on their automation levels, distinguishing between Level 3 systems that require human intervention and Level 4 and Level 5 systems that operate without human control. The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, operators, and passengers, while clarifying that standard driver-assist features do not qualify a vehicle as autonomous.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal framework to help preserve community buildings like churches, schools, and libraries when their current owners plan to sell or close. It grants current members and affiliates of these long-standing organizations a "Right of First Refusal," allowing them to purchase the property before it is sold to outsiders. If a sale cannot be arranged directly, the bill authorizes the appointment of a neutral "Special Community Trustee" to facilitate negotiations and ensure the building remains financially viable for continued community use. Municipal officials would be responsible for officially designating which structures qualify as community landmarks under this new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a special commission to study the Grand Jury System in Massachusetts and recommend whether it should be replaced or eliminated. The commission would be made up of legal experts, law enforcement officials, and community representatives, with appointments made by the Governor and Attorney General. It is required to hold public hearings in Boston and four other regions, review historical data, and submit a report with its findings within two years. The bill does not change the current law immediately but instead sets up a process to evaluate the system's fairness and utility before any potential reforms are made.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the creation of a Graduate Judicial Training School in Massachusetts to improve the quality of judges and legal hearing officers. The legislation would establish an Advisory Board composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, and law school deans to oversee the development of this program. This board would hold public hearings and make recommendations over three years on how to create a two-year advanced training academy for current judges and a future entry-level school for new judicial candidates. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all future judicial appointments come from graduates of this specialized training program.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to strengthen Massachusetts' ability to enforce anti-trust laws by directing the Attorney General to issue an annual report on economic enforcement. The report would specifically examine pricing and sales practices of large chain stores to ensure honest competition while also reviewing regulations that affect small and medium-sized businesses. By highlighting areas where state intervention is needed, the legislation seeks to empower local authorities to address business practices that may harm the state's economy or consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to remove the Common Core State Standards from Massachusetts public schools and restore the curriculum frameworks that were in place before 2010. It mandates the creation of new committees composed of local teachers and academics from Massachusetts universities to develop new curriculum standards for math, science, technology, and English. Additionally, the legislation requires the state to release all test questions and answers to the public before the start of each school year to increase transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pregnant individuals and primary caretakers of children or sick family members to request pretrial diversion from criminal charges. Under the new rules, these defendants can propose a plan involving community service, employment, or other programs while their case is paused for up to two years. Courts must approve these motions unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a public safety risk, and any statements made during the diversion process cannot be used against the defendant if the program is later terminated. If the defendant successfully completes the program, the charges will be dismissed; otherwise, the court may extend the diversion period or restart the criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority to use at least $150 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds to help cover rising material costs for previously approved school construction projects. The legislation specifically targets schools that can prove their budget overruns were caused by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. By transferring these funds to a dedicated trust, the bill aims to reimburse contractors and districts for the additional expenses incurred during the construction process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all schools and child care centers in Massachusetts to test their drinking water outlets annually for lead levels exceeding one part per billion. It mandates that testing be conducted by certified laboratories using specific methods and establishes a six-month deadline for facilities that have not previously participated in the state's assistance program. The legislation also defines key terms such as "certified point-of-use filter" and "drinking water outlet" to ensure clarity in compliance. Additionally, the act gives the Department of Environmental Protection the authority to adjust testing frequency on a case-by-case basis when necessary for public health.