Sen. Patrick O'Connor

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 157) changes who pays brokerage fees in rental agreements. It requires that fees charged by licensed real estate brokers or salespeople must be paid only by the landlord or tenant who directly hired them to arrange the lease. The law prevents landlords from passing these fees onto tenants through the lease contract, or tenants from being charged by brokers they didn't personally engage. This directly affects landlords, tenants, and brokers involved in residential rental transactions.

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 646) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish the board of registration of hazardous waste site cleanup professionals. Environment and Natural Resources.

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 649) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to community preservation funds for seawall repairs. Environment and Natural Resources.

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 639) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to provide additional funding for animal welfare and safety programming. Environment and Natural Resources.

By Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Kearney of Scituate a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2578) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Patrick Joseph Kearney (by vote of the town) for legislation relative to sidewalks in the town of Scituate. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summarySD 141 protects access to library materials in Massachusetts public and school libraries by requiring that materials remain available during challenges and setting clear standards for their selection. It directly affects school librarians, school committees, and students by mandating that library materials must be age-appropriate, serve an educational purpose, and not be removed based on personal, political, or doctrinal views. Key provisions include requiring written library policies aligned with American Library Association standards, ensuring challenged materials stay on shelves until a school committee vote, and prohibiting disciplinary action against librarians who select materials in good faith. The bill also expands student expression rights to include "receiving information" through school libraries, reinforcing access to educational materials.

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 183) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish the Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program. Community Development and Small Businesses.

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1835) of James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to death benefits to surviving spouses of call and volunteer firefighters. Public Service.

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2156) of Patricia D. Jehlen, John F. Keenan, Patrick M. O'Connor, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase access to menstrual products in public buildings. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 616) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Marcus S. Vaughn, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to ivory and rhonoceros horn trafficking. Environment and Natural Resources.