Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts election laws to improve voter registration accuracy and ensure polling places are accessible for people with disabilities. It requires registrars to automatically move voters who change addresses to an inactive list unless they respond to a mailed notice, while also protecting individuals in domestic violence situations from having their information publicly disclosed. Additionally, the bill mandates that state officials inspect polling sites every four years to verify compliance with accessibility requirements and provides a mechanism for the state secretary to enforce these standards. These changes aim to streamline the voter roll maintenance process and guarantee that all voters can access their polling locations without barriers.
Sen. Robyn Kennedy
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill updates state laws to ensure equal legal rights for all children regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or how the child was conceived. It removes outdated language referring to "children born out of wedlock" and establishes a clear policy that every child has the same protections under the law. The legislation defines parentage through various means, including birth, adoption, court orders, and assisted reproduction, while also updating terminology to be gender-neutral. A key provision prevents a presumed parent's legal status from being challenged after the child turns two unless specific conditions, such as lack of genetic connection or multiple presumed parents, are proven.
By Representative Barrows of Mansfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3142) of F. Jay Barrows and others relative to municipal light plants. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires that social service and home care workers be paid at least 140 percent of the state's minimum wage. To make this possible, the state agency overseeing these programs must adjust the payment rates it gives to service providers to cover the increased labor costs. Before setting these new rates, the agency must hold public hearings to gather input from workers, employers, and community members, and it must investigate current wages and working conditions. The law also grants the agency the power to issue subpoenas to ensure witnesses and records are available during this investigation process.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow public health dental hygienists to seek reimbursement from insurance companies and other third-party payers in addition to Medicaid. The change directly affects dental hygienists working in public health settings who currently face restrictions on billing non-Medicaid sources. By removing the prohibition on seeking additional payments, the legislation aims to improve the financial sustainability of these roles. The bill does not alter federal Medicaid requirements but adjusts state rules to permit broader billing practices for eligible providers.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows new state employees in Massachusetts to receive health insurance coverage starting on their first day of work, rather than waiting for a standard waiting period. It applies to all state employers who offer health benefits through the state's group insurance commission. To make this change official, the commission must work with finance officials to create and enforce new rules that put this immediate coverage into practice.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new chapter in Massachusetts law to update how the state manages funding and fees related to digital infrastructure and streaming services. It establishes a policy framework that allows the state to assess fees from companies providing streaming entertainment based on their gross revenues generated within the Commonwealth. The legislation also sets guidelines for how local governments can regulate the use of public spaces for these services while encouraging diverse content and fair competition. Additionally, it creates specific processes for the Department of Revenue to collect unpaid fees and fines from operators that do not comply with the new rules.
May 9, 2024 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 34) of Jason M. Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John J. Cronin, Joanne M. Comerford 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 the management and maintenance of digital infrastructure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2771).
Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to increase funding for human services organizations to close the pay gap between these workers and comparable state employees. The law mandates that the reimbursement gap be reduced by 50% by July 2024, 30% by July 2025, 10% by July 2026, and fully eliminated by July 2027. All additional funds received must be used to raise the salaries of the workers who provide care and support services. The legislation also directs relevant agencies to create a report on improving recruitment and retention for these employees by January 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to redefine individuals involved in the sex trade as "prostituted persons" rather than "prostitutes," emphasizing their status as potential victims. It expands legal protections by including various forms of sex work, such as exchanging sexual conduct for food or shelter, within the definitions of related crimes. The legislation also redirects fines collected from violations of these laws to a state trust fund dedicated to assisting victims of human trafficking. By updating terminology and broadening the scope of covered activities, the bill aims to strengthen justice and support systems for those affected by the sex trade.