Sen. Adam Gómez

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new technical advisory committee to identify communities with high exposure to traffic-related air pollution and establish specific definitions for pollutants like black carbon and ultrafine particles. The Department of Environmental Protection is required to install at least eight new air monitors in these identified hotspots by June 2026 and make the data publicly available. Additionally, the law mandates that the department establish baseline air quality measurements for these areas by June 2027 to better track pollution levels. These changes directly affect residents living near major highways and aim to improve air quality monitoring in areas burdened by pollution.

March 11, 2024 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Vanna Howard, Sal N. DiDomenico, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by transportation pollution; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2131) of Christine P. Barber, Mike Connolly and others for legislation to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by pollution, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2682).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Initiative, a grant program designed to help public colleges and universities address student food insecurity. Managed by the state department of higher education, the program will provide funding to eligible institutions, including municipal colleges and minority-serving schools, to support students in completing their post-secondary education. The department will hire a director to set guidelines for the grants, which may require schools to have specific staff, awareness programs, and meal options that accept federal nutrition benefits. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department provide technical assistance to schools and submit an annual report to state officials on the program's progress.

Senate, February 29, 2024 -- Text of the Senate Bill relative to healthy youth (Senate, No. 2692) (being the text of Senate, No. 2686, printed as amended)

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve Massachusetts' paid family and medical leave program by updating how employers handle leave requests and enhancing data tracking. It requires employers to inform employees of their eligibility for paid leave within five business days and to provide necessary forms in the employee's primary language. The legislation also expands the types of employer policies that count toward meeting leave requirements and mandates more detailed reporting on claim demographics and processing times.

Senate, March 4, 2024 --The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1197) of Jason M. Lewis, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jack Patrick Lewis, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve the Massachusetts paid family medical leave law; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1198) of Jason M. Lewis, Lydia Edwards, James B. Eldridge and Paul R. Feeney for legislation to amend the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave law definitions of a covered business entity and a covered contract worker; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1858) of Josh S. Cutler and others relative to the publication of hearing decisions by the Department of Family and Medical Leave; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1859) of Josh S. Cutler and others relative to data reporting by the Department of Family and Medical Leave; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1860) of Josh S. Cutler and others for legislation to include bone marrow and organ donation in the paid family and medical leave program; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1888) of Kenneth I. Gordon and others relative to the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Law; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1889) of Kenneth I. Gordon and others relative to the definitions of covered business entity and covered contract worker under the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Law; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1942) of Jeffrey N. Roy relative to unemployment benefits for replacement workers, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2605).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires schools in Massachusetts to submit biennial reports detailing their sexual health education curricula, including the number of hours taught and student enrollment figures. It also mandates that schools notify parents and guardians annually about these programs, providing them with the right to withdraw their children from the instruction and the opportunity to review course materials beforehand. The legislation further requires that these notifications be distributed in English and other commonly spoken languages to ensure accessibility for diverse families. By updating existing state laws, the bill aims to increase transparency and parental involvement in how sexual health education is delivered in public and private schools.