Sen. Pavel Payano

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tuition and fee waivers at Massachusetts public colleges for students who were legally placed under guardianship (per Chapter 190B, Section 5-201) and are living with a grandparent or other relative (not a parent) when they turn 18 or enroll in college. It directly affects qualifying Massachusetts residents in this guardianship situation who attend public higher education institutions. The state, not the colleges, covers the waiver costs after exhausting any federal reimbursements. This policy change specifically targets financial barriers for youth raised by extended family in guardianship.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a commission to assess and improve the health and energy efficiency of Massachusetts public college and university buildings, directly affecting all 15 public institutions (including UMass, community colleges, and state universities). The commission will evaluate factors like air quality, water safety, energy use, and accessibility, then develop standards and publish findings online. It establishes two funds: one to cover debt service on campus construction (freeing up money for faculty hiring and student support programs) and another to finance renovations and new construction meeting the commission's green and healthy standards. The bill mandates that by 2027, all new academic/administrative buildings must be fully funded by the state, eliminating reliance on institutional debt.

Senate, September 2, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 924) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to tuition waivers for children raised by a grandparent or other relative, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No.2592).

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1884) of Liz Miranda, Sal N. DiDomenico, Michael F. Rush, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to teacher retirement election. Public Service.

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 597) of Paul R. Feeney, Joanne M. Comerford, James K. Hawkins, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to conserve and improve natural and working lands. Environment and Natural Resources.

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.

Senate, June 26, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 2543) (being the text of Senate, No. 2538, printed as amended).

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1449) of John F. Keenan, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to firefighter residency. Municipalities and Regional Government.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 41) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Joan B. Lovely, Susannah M. Whipps and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive statewide policy concerning streaming entertainment services and the recovery of municipal costs for digital infrastructure. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 312) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis, Michael J. Barrett, James B. Eldridge and other members of the Senate for legislation to prohibit the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth. Education.