Sen. Vanna Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Faculty Restoration and Equity Fund to require public colleges in the state to: (1) ensure at least 75% of undergraduate courses are taught by full-time faculty, (2) maintain at least 75% full-time support staff in departments, and (3) provide part-time and non-tenure track faculty with pay and benefits equal to full-time faculty. It also amends retirement laws to grant part-time faculty teaching four or more courses yearly full retirement credit, equal pay on a pro-rata basis, and formal processes for assignment priority and tenure-track consideration. The fund prioritizes institutions with high reliance on part-time faculty, and all provisions are subject to collective bargaining. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions and their part-time/non-tenure track faculty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public colleges and universities to create alcohol- and drug-free housing programs for students recovering from substance use. These programs must offer on-site counseling, mentoring, and peer support services. Additionally, all public institutions must provide overdose prevention training and make naloxone available to students, faculty, and staff. The law directly affects public higher education institutions and students seeking recovery support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts healthcare facilities (like hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers) to implement a medical chaperone policy. It mandates that doctors or nurses inform patients before sensitive exams (such as those involving genitalia, breasts, or rectal areas) about their option to request a trained medical chaperone or, if unavailable, a family/friend chaperone (called a "familial chaperone"). Facilities must document these disclosures and requests in patients' electronic health records, provide educational materials to patients and familial chaperones, and report annual usage data to the state. The policy directly affects patients receiving intimate exams, healthcare facilities, and medical staff who must follow these new disclosure and documentation procedures.

Maddy summaryHD 4087 creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address contamination from harmful chemicals (PFAS) in Massachusetts drinking water and environmental media. The fund, financed by settlements with PFAS manufacturers and other sources like grants and donations, will cover costs for public water systems, private well owners, municipalities, and regional water systems to test, treat, and remediate PFAS in water, soil, and groundwater. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the fund, prioritizing vulnerable communities and requiring applicants to disclose any third-party payments to avoid duplicate funding. The fund operates without annual appropriation, with leftover balances carrying over to future years to ensure sustained support for PFAS cleanup efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts healthcare providers to offer a trained, licensed chaperone for all genital and rectal exams (regardless of patient gender) and breast exams for patients who identify as female. Patients can choose to accept or decline the chaperone, and providers must document the choice. Chaperones must be unrelated to the patient or provider and cannot interfere with the exam. Exceptions include medical emergencies or when a chaperone is already present during the exam.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to obtain written consent for sensitive examinations (like pelvic or prostate exams) on unconscious or heavily sedated patients, except in emergencies. It guarantees patients the right to request a medical chaperone during such exams, with healthcare organizations encouraged to provide a chaperone matching the patient’s gender identity. Providers must inform patients about this right before exams and use standardized consent forms that explicitly mention the chaperone option. The law applies to all healthcare organizations and providers performing sensitive exams, aiming to ensure patient autonomy and safety during these procedures.

Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Transportation to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2368) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, David Paul Linsky, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to end debt-based driving restrictions and remove economic roadblocks, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2874).

Maddy summarySD 1424, "An Act to increase opportunity by ending debt-based driving restrictions," removes criminal penalties for driving without a license when the suspension results from unpaid administrative fees (e.g., reinstatement fees), rather than traffic violations. This directly affects drivers whose licenses were suspended solely for failing to pay such fees, eliminating prosecution for driving under these circumstances. The bill adds a new process allowing applicants to request fee reductions or waivers based on financial hardship when renewing or reinstating a license. It also requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to send electronic notifications about unpaid assessments to drivers, improving transparency and access to hardship requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants licensed to serve food to maintain physical photographic or visual menus on premises for customers with communication impairments, featuring photos and written descriptions of each menu item. It also mandates that all menus include a notice informing customers about these visual menus, developed with input from disability advocates and restaurant industry groups. Restaurants can voluntarily participate in a state program to earn a "Communication Impairment Friendly" designation, which requires maintaining the visual menus and meeting additional guidelines. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will manage the program and maintain an online list of participating restaurants.

By Representatives Moran of Lawrence and Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Frank A. Moran, Adam J. Scanlon and others for legislation to establish a special task force (including members of the General Court) to review and report on vocational admissions policies. Education.