Sen. Nick Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to regulate how sports and entertainment tickets are sold and resold, primarily affecting ticket platforms and secondary market sellers. It defines a ticket reseller as anyone selling more than 100 tickets annually and clarifies terms like "ticket issuer" and "non-transferable ticketing system." The legislation mandates that resellers maintain contact information for complaints, implement refund policies covering full purchase amounts including fees, and take steps to prevent counterfeit tickets. Additionally, it ensures consumers receive full refunds if tickets are invalid, cancelled, or not delivered before the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state law requiring employers in Massachusetts to provide bereavement leave to employees whose immediate family members pass away. It defines eligible family members as those living with the employee, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, and allows for up to 10 business days of leave within a 12-month period for funeral arrangements, attendance, or grieving. While the law mandates the time off, it explicitly leaves the decision to pay for that leave entirely up to the individual employer's policy. Additionally, the provision applies only to businesses with 10 or more employees and requires that the leave request be made within 30 days of the death.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts' family and medical leave law to explicitly include time off for grieving the death of a family member. It grants eligible employees up to eight weeks of leave per year for attending funerals, making arrangements, or grieving, with two of those weeks providing weekly benefits. The legislation allows this leave to be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule and clarifies that employers cannot require multiple concurrent leave periods if more than one family member dies in a single year. To simplify the process, the bill expands the types of documents employees can submit to verify their need for bereavement leave.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new right for employees in Massachusetts to take up to 10 business days of bereavement leave within a 12-month period following the death of a family member. The law defines family members to include children, parents, guardians, siblings, spouses, and partners living with the employee, allowing time for funeral arrangements, attending services, grieving, or handling legal matters. Employers have the discretion to decide whether this leave is paid or unpaid, and they may require proof of death, such as a medical record or police report. The policy applies only to employers with 10 or more employees in the state and does not affect existing contracts or laws that offer more generous leave benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands bereavement leave rights for employees in Massachusetts by adding death of a family member as a qualifying reason for family leave under state law. It specifically grants eligible workers up to eight weeks of leave per year to attend funerals, make necessary arrangements, or grieve, with financial benefits provided for two of those weeks. The legislation also clarifies rules regarding how this leave can be taken, allowing it to be used intermittently or on a reduced schedule, and prevents employers from requiring multiple concurrent leave periods if more than one family member dies in a single year.

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. ) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to addressing the trauma associated with substance abuse treatment. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Senate, January 22, 2024 --The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1145) of Michael J. Barrett and Sean Garballey for legislation to ensure bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1205) of Liz Miranda and Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1879) of Sean Garballey, David M. Rogers and others relative to bereavement leave under the family and medical leave act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1961) of Christopher J. Worrell relative to bereavement leave, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2562).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to reduce the use of plastic bags by defining specific terms for retailers and bags. It creates a legal definition for a "reusable bag" as one made of durable materials like cloth or hemp with stitched handles, while also defining standards for "recycled paper bags" that must contain a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled material. The legislation applies to a wide range of retail establishments, including grocery stores, restaurants, food trucks, and institutional cafeterias, by setting the stage for future regulations on bag usage and materials. By amending the state's General Laws, the bill provides the framework for the Department of Environmental Protection to implement specific rules regarding plastic bag reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags by requiring retail establishments to charge a fee for them. Retailers, which include grocery stores, restaurants, and mobile vendors, must offer reusable bags or recycled paper bags as alternatives to plastic film bags. The legislation defines specific standards for these alternatives, such as requiring recycled paper bags to contain a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled material and be labeled as recyclable. Additionally, the law establishes definitions for terms like "reusable bag" and "single-use plastic bag" to ensure consistent application across different types of businesses.

By Representative Worrell of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Christopher J. Worrell and Nick Collins that the supplier diversity office promulgate regulations for the annual collection and reporting of procurement activity as such activity relates to certified business enterprises and non-certified businesses. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.