Sen. Adam Gómez

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that all public schools in Massachusetts provide free breakfast and lunch to every student attending the school. To help cover these costs, the legislation requires schools to maximize the use of federal funding programs and assigns the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education the responsibility of paying for any remaining expenses not covered by federal reimbursements. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create regulations that help families access supplemental nutrition assistance programs by offering application support or referrals to relevant agencies. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to help schools and childcare centers in Massachusetts buy local food and improve student nutrition. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will manage the program, which provides funding for kitchen equipment, staff training on cooking with local ingredients, and educational projects like school gardens. To receive money, applicants must be public schools or licensed childcare programs that serve meals through state or federal nutrition programs. The law also requires that grant distribution considers geographic, social, economic, and racial equity, and allows up to 15 percent of each grant to be used directly for purchasing locally grown food.

Senate, January 25, 2024 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 180) of Adam Gomez, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and others for legislation to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 359) of Adrian C. Madaro, Carlos González and Kevin G. Honan for legislation to further regulate real estate brokers and salespersons, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2566).

Senate, January 29, 2024 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 175) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Lydia Edwards and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the disclosure of toxic chemicals in children’s products; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 318) of James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to direct the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a toxic chemicals of concern consumer products list, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2564).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require manufacturers and sellers to disclose specific toxic chemicals found in products intended for children aged 12 and under. It defines "children's products" broadly to include items like toys, clothing, cosmetics, car seats, and school supplies, while explicitly excluding electronics, bicycles, and certain other items. The legislation mandates that companies provide a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or other toxicity, using a list of authoritative scientific bodies to determine which substances are harmful. By establishing clear definitions and disclosure requirements, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding chemical safety in consumer goods used by young people.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to strengthen oversight of real estate brokers and enhance enforcement of fair housing rules. It requires the state board of real estate registration to publish quarterly reports detailing complaints and disciplinary actions taken against license holders for discrimination. Additionally, the bill mandates that the board immediately suspend a broker's license for sixty days if a court finds they committed a fair housing violation, extending the suspension to one hundred and eighty days if the violation occurred within two years of a prior finding. These changes aim to increase transparency and impose stricter penalties on professionals who discriminate in housing transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws to allow audiologists and otolaryngologists to sell hearing aids to patients they have treated, provided they clearly disclose all associated costs and inform the patient of their right to purchase the device elsewhere. The legislation specifically permits these professionals to sell hearing aids even when employed by or affiliated with an otolaryngologist, removing a previous restriction that generally prohibited physicians from selling such devices. By mandating full financial transparency and offering patients the option to seek services from a different source, the bill aims to increase consumer choice and access to hearing aids.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to grant college credit for Advanced Placement exam scores of three, four, or five to help students meet degree requirements. Institutions must clearly state on their websites how these credits apply to general education, major, or elective courses and ensure they can be transferred to other schools. While schools can still require higher scores, they must provide specific evidence that a score above three is necessary for success in related courses, and the Department of Higher Education will offer guidance on what counts as valid evidence. Additionally, the state's higher education board must annually review these policies and report its findings to the legislature by July 1 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to accept scores of three, four, or five on Advanced Placement exams to fulfill degree requirements for general education, major, or elective courses. Institutions can only require a higher score than three if their chief academic officer provides evidence that the lower score would not prepare a student for the next course in the sequence, and the state Department of Higher Education will define what counts as valid evidence. Schools must publish these policies on their websites and submit them to the state department for public posting, while the state board will review and report on these policies annually by July 1.