Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act to provide sunlight to state government," aims to increase transparency in Massachusetts state legislative proceedings. It requires legislative committees to post public testimony submission contact information on the General Court website and mandates that recorded committee votes be published online within 48 hours. Additionally, the law directs committees to make submitted testimony available to the public while allowing for the redaction of sensitive personal or safety-related information, and it encourages the promotion of diversity among expert witness panels. The legislation also extends public access requirements to include records from the office of the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts employment law to declare any contract clause that forces an employee to give up their legal rights against discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or wage theft as invalid and unenforceable. It specifically protects workers from being forced to sign agreements that require them to waive these rights before any dispute has occurred, ensuring such waivers cannot be used to block future claims. Employers who ask employees to sign these invalid waivers or retaliate against workers for refusing them face liability for damages and legal fees. Additionally, the law ensures that courts, rather than arbitrators, decide whether a waiver is invalid, and it allows employees to void arbitration agreements that contain these prohibited waivers once a dispute arises.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to address workplace bullying, mobbing, and harassment regardless of whether the victim belongs to a protected class. It defines abusive conduct as repeated verbal abuse, threatening behavior, or actions that undermine an employee's work performance, while also covering online communications. The legislation prohibits employers from creating abusive work environments and bans retaliation against employees who report such behavior. Employers can be held liable for violations by their staff unless they can prove they took reasonable steps to prevent abuse and the employee failed to use available reporting channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for single-use plastic beverage containers sold in Massachusetts, requiring them to either have caps that are tethered to the bottle or feature an opening that allows drinking without removing the cap. Starting in January 2024, all plastic bottles must also contain at least 15% postconsumer recycled plastic, with the state Department of Environmental Protection authorized to adjust this percentage based on market conditions and technology. The law applies to manufacturers and retailers of single-use containers holding one liter or less of drinks like soda, water, and juice, while explicitly excluding glass and metal containers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants and other food service providers in Massachusetts to offer customers the option to decline single-use items like utensils, napkins, and condiments when ordering for takeout or delivery. The law specifically targets establishments where food is not consumed on the premises, aiming to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste that ends up in landfills. To comply, businesses must clearly inform customers that these items are available upon request rather than being automatically included with every order. The legislation defines various terms such as "single-use food serviceware" and "consumption on the premises" to ensure consistent application across different types of food vendors. By shifting the default from providing disposable items to offering them only when requested, the bill seeks to lower litter and environmental contamination without banning specific materials outright.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines key terms related to waste management, including beverage containers, bio-plastics, and environmental justice communities, to establish a clear framework for future regulations. It specifically clarifies that "disposal" encompasses landfilling, incineration, and various forms of energy recovery, while also defining "packaging" to include materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal used for product containment. By setting these precise definitions, the legislation aims to provide a consistent basis for the Department of Environmental Protection and local governments to manage recycling programs and reduce costs across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to reduce the use of single-use plastics by regulating retail establishments and food facilities. It establishes specific definitions for terms like "biodegradable," "compostable," and "carryout bag" to clarify what materials and items are covered by the regulations. The legislation sets requirements for how businesses must handle plastic bags and food service ware, such as restricting certain types of disposable items and specifying standards for reusable and recycled paper bags. By amending the state's General Laws, the act aims to create a consistent framework for businesses to follow in minimizing plastic waste.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to reduce single-use plastics by requiring retail establishments to stop providing plastic carryout bags to customers. It defines specific types of bags, such as reusable grocery bags and recycled paper bags, and mandates that stores switch to these alternatives after an 18-month transition period. The legislation applies to a wide range of businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and mobile vendors, while allowing exceptions for certain items like medication packaging or protective liners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts municipalities to report their annual solid waste disposal data and establishes performance targets to reduce waste per resident. It mandates that waste management facilities remove banned materials like certain plastics and electronics from landfills and imposes fines on waste haulers who fail to comply. The revenue generated from these fines and a new $1.50 per ton disposal surcharge will be placed into a "Zero Waste Fund" to finance recycling, composting, and education programs. Additionally, the law regulates waste collection services by requiring haulers to register with the state and provide single-rate collection options that encourage recycling over disposal.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill prohibits the declawing of cats unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an infection, disease, or injury. It defines declawing as any surgery that removes part of a paw or cuts tendons to stop claw function, while explicitly allowing nail trimming and temporary nail caps. Veterinarians must perform these procedures only for therapeutic reasons, keep detailed records for four years, and submit annual reports to the state board. The law also ensures that these medical records remain private and are not made public.