Maddy summarySD 191, titled "An Act ensuring charter school integrity," directly affects charter schools and the governing board by adding new requirements to their oversight. The bill mandates that charter schools provide written confirmation within 30 days of approval that they meet all legal requirements, bans schools from offering money or gifts to attract students, and clarifies that charters can be revoked for failing to meet conditions, violating their charter, or if the board breaches regulations. It also establishes a strict process for waivers of regulations, requiring written requests, a detailed explanation, and a 2/3 board vote for exceptions. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in charter school operations.
Sen. Bruce Tarr
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish safe maximum levels for NDMA (n-Nitrosodimethylamine), a chemical found in drinking water, to protect public health. It directly affects public water systems, which must test for NDMA and report levels exceeding the new limits to the DEP. The DEP must enforce these limits by treating violations as breaches of existing drinking water regulations and provide annual reports to the legislature detailing testing results and exceedances. The law aims to standardize monitoring and response for NDMA in the Commonwealth's water supply.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1623) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to certified medication aides. Public Health.
Maddy summaryHD 1916 requires Massachusetts public schools to include specific content about Native American culture and history in their curriculum. The bill mandates that educational standards cover five key areas: the history and current issues of Massachusetts tribes (like Wampanoag and Nipmuc), historic tribal connections to the state (such as the Wabanaki Confederacy), national Native American history, tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, and contemporary issues facing Native Americans in Massachusetts. School boards must consult with the Commonwealth's established relationship with Native American tribes - defined by treaties, laws, and executive orders - when developing these standards. This policy change directly affects all public school students and educators in Massachusetts by setting new curriculum requirements for teaching Native American heritage.
By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 78) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others for legislation to establish the Massachusetts consumer data privacy act. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
By Representatives Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose and Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 86) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian, David T. Vieira and others relative to regulation of location information derived from electronic devices. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 595) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to the use of crossbows in hunting. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 544) of William N. Brownsberger, Joanne M. Comerford, Dylan A. Fernandes and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to prohibit the mistreatment of birds. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 674) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create the Carbon Sequestration Support Fund. Environment and Natural Resources.
Senate, November 13, 2025 - Text of the Senate amendment (Senator Tarr) to the House Bill amending the charter of the town of Ipswich to eliminate the residency requirement for the town manager (House, No. 4243).