Sen. Bruce Tarr

Maddy summarySD 185 requires businesses that handle waste oil - such as automobile service stations, marinas, and retail stores selling lubricating oil - to submit a disposal plan to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection before accepting waste oil for disposal. The plan must detail how waste oil will be collected, transported, and properly processed or disposed of, including specific disposal locations. Businesses that fail to provide this plan face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. This law directly affects commercial entities that generate or handle waste oil within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4370) sets specific fees for court transcript requests. It establishes rates of $4.50 per page for original transcripts, $1.50 for copies, and $7.50 for electronic copies (in open-source format), with reduced rates for indigent individuals ($0.15/page) and rush requests ($6.75/page for originals). The bill also specifies that courts, not parties, pay for transcripts ordered by judges or prosecutors in criminal cases. It directly affects courts, legal parties, and indigent defendants by standardizing transcript costs and payment responsibilities.

Maddy summaryHD 3720 prohibits bullying in housing communities primarily for residents aged 55+ or with disabilities, including those subsidized by HUD or Massachusetts. It requires owner/managers to create and update evidence-based bullying prevention plans, provide training for staff and residents, and address incidents like cyberbullying, group bullying, or staff-condoned harassment. The law applies to on-site property, sponsored events, and off-site activities that create a hostile environment or disrupt community operations for affected residents. The Attorney General’s office must develop model plans, resources, and biennially survey communities to assess bullying prevalence and prevention effectiveness.

Maddy summaryH 4373 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts food businesses (like restaurants, farms, and grocery stores) that donate food to qualified nonprofits serving the needy. Donors can claim a credit equal to the fair market value of donated food (up to $25,000 annually), provided the nonprofit distributes it free or at cost with proper certification. The bill also provides legal liability protection for donors and distributors of donated food (including expired items), shielding them from civil damages unless the food was misbranded, handled negligently, or violated health regulations. It excludes alcohol, marijuana, and dietary supplements from coverage. This law directly affects food businesses, nonprofits, and food distribution programs across Massachusetts.

Senate, July 31, 2025 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 550) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to a statewide plan for the management of solar panels and batteries; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 556) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Michael D. Brady and Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to establish a lithium-ion battery stewardship program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2569).

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines "condition of substantial release migration" for hazardous material releases, specifying scenarios requiring immediate action - such as groundwater contamination within 200 feet per year, vapor intrusion near schools/residences, or releases detected in water supplies. It adds "critical exposure pathways" to clarify when vapor or water contamination poses direct health risks to people in buildings. The bill also creates liability protection for entities that completed approved cleanup efforts, stating they cannot be held liable for past releases if the environmental department audited and verified their cleanup. These changes clarify when response actions are mandatory and shield responsible parties from future claims for properly managed sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 26) makes certain liability clauses in snow removal contracts unenforceable. It directly affects snow removal companies (service providers) and their customers (service receivers), such as homeowners or businesses. The law voids any contract terms requiring: - A service provider to cover damages caused by the customer’s actions, - A customer to cover damages caused by the service provider, or - Either party to "hold harmless" the other for their own negligence. This prevents unfair shifting of liability in standard snow removal agreements.

Maddy summarySD 1456 adds "status as a victim of abusive behavior" to Massachusetts' anti-discrimination protections under Chapter 151B. It directly affects employees and job applicants experiencing domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping (as defined in the bill). The law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations - like schedule changes, safety modifications, or transfer requests - to support victims, prohibits discrimination for requesting these accommodations, and mandates written notice of these rights to all employees. Employers must engage in a good-faith process to determine accommodations but are not required to provide them if it causes "undue hardship," defined by specific financial and operational factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 574) expands protections for domestic violence victims by extending workplace leave and safety measures to contract workers. It defines "contract worker" as individuals hired through third parties (like staffing agencies) but not classified as direct employees under current law, and "client employer" as businesses using such workers. The key change amends existing law to require both direct employers and client employers to permit "employees or contract workers" to take leave or adjust schedules for domestic violence protections. This directly affects contract workers in industries like temporary staffing, who previously lacked these safeguards under Massachusetts law. The bill modifies Chapter 149, Section 52E, to close a coverage gap without creating new funding or penalties.

By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 384) of James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to direct the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a toxic chemicals of concern consumer products list. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.