Sen. Nick Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Massachusetts public schools and universities to conduct detailed energy audits to identify ways they can reduce energy use and switch to renewable power. The law requires these audits to estimate costs and savings, list available funding options, and include specific inspections of building insulation and envelopes. By improving energy efficiency and adding solar power, the legislation aims to lower emissions, reduce utility costs, and create jobs while protecting students and staff from climate-related risks like extreme heat and flooding. Ultimately, the bill supports the state's goal of making all public educational buildings carbon-free by 2033.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of the Massachusetts General Laws to change how cities and towns can request permission to manage their own energy use. Currently, a local government must submit a home rule petition to the state legislature to act on energy matters. Under this proposal, the requirement shifts so that the local government only needs to show that their petition has already been approved by both the state legislature and the governor. This change allows municipalities to implement their own energy plans more quickly once state officials have given their formal consent.

By Representative Barrows of Mansfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2438) of F. Jay Barrows that the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System be authorized to credit Diane Galanti with certain creditable service benefits. Public Service.

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2582) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and others relative to health insurance benefits for certain state employees. Public Service.

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2584) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and others relative to health insurance for municipal employees. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to actively reach out to incarcerated individuals and those recently released from state prisons to help them enroll in college. It requires financial aid staff at public universities to contact correctional facilities twice a year to identify eligible students and provide them with expedited enrollment assistance and financial support within thirty days of release. The legislation also mandates that correction officials share contact information for these individuals with universities and requires the Board of Higher Education to submit an annual report on the program's progress to state committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help Master of Social Work students in Massachusetts cover the costs of their field placements. The Department of Education would administer these funds, which are intended to recruit and retain students from historically marginalized and low-income communities. To qualify, students must commit to working in the state for at least two years after graduation, and the program prioritizes first-generation college students while requiring at least half of the recipients to identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The financial assistance ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month depending on the student's year of study, with applications accepted annually between January and March.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 822) of Lydia Edwards, Sal N. DiDomenico and Russell E. Holmes for legislation to instruct the board of higher education to engage house of corrections and state prisons, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2675).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 160) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Manny Cruz, Susannah M. Whipps, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to Social Work Uplifting Practices and Exam Removal (“The SUPER Act”), report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2673).

Senate, March 25, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes (Senate, No. 1485),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2712).