Sen. John Velis

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program to help the Massachusetts National Guard recruit and retain skilled members. It allows current service members and retirees to act as recruiting assistants during their non-duty hours. In exchange for bringing in new recruits, these assistants can receive compensation of up to $1,000 per person. The Adjutant General is responsible for managing the program and establishing specific rules for its operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts military veterans who missed the standard deadline to buy back their pension service time to apply for a one-time extension. Under current rules, members must purchase this service within 180 days, but this legislation gives eligible veterans an additional year to complete the purchase after the act takes effect. Retirement boards are required to notify all active members about this potential eligibility within 90 days of the law's implementation. The change specifically applies to those who are currently serving and have veteran status but failed to make the purchase in the original timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to review Massachusetts laws on animal cruelty and recommends creating a specific misdemeanor charge for such offenses. The task force will include representatives from law enforcement, veterinary associations, animal welfare groups, and government agencies to assess current protections and suggest improvements. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the sale of puppies and kittens under eight weeks of age and bans the commercial display or sale of dogs and cats in outdoor markets and roadside locations. Local animal control or police officers will be responsible for enforcing these new restrictions, with fines imposed for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework in Massachusetts to address controlling and abusive litigation, specifically targeting cases involving current or former family members where one party has a history of abuse or harassment. It defines abusive litigation as legal actions initiated primarily to harass or intimidate, characterized by claims lacking legal or evidentiary support, or issues previously lost in other courts. The legislation empowers judges to issue orders that restrict a perpetrator from filing, serving, or continuing such lawsuits, effectively barring them from using the court system to maintain contact with their victim.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide at least one year of advance notice before closing essential health services, such as emergency rooms or imaging centers. The legislation mandates that hospitals inform various stakeholders, including staff, labor unions, local officials, and community councils, at least 30 days before submitting their closure notice to the state department. Additionally, hospitals must submit detailed plans for maintaining access to necessary services and provide evidence of community support or non-opposition from affected municipalities. These provisions aim to ensure a structured process that allows for community engagement and planning before essential healthcare resources are discontinued.

March , 2024 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 176) of Anne M. Gobi, Deborah B. Goldberg, Treasurer and Receiver General and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to modernize the Massachusetts alcohol laws; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 177) of Anne M. Gobi and Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to extend pandemic-related relief for dining establishments; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 221) of John C. Velis for legislation to promote economic recovery for restaurants and bars; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 295) of Paul K. Frost relative to providing for permanent alcoholic beverage takeout​​; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 299) of William C. Galvin and Natalie M. Higgins for legislation to extend pandemic related relief for dining establishments to allow cocktails-to-go; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 302) of Denise C. Garlick relative to extending pandemic-related relief for dining establishments by allowing for the delivery of certain alcoholic beverages; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 365) of Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr., relative to extending pandemic-related relief for dining establishments by allowing for the delivery of certain alcoholic beverages; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3782) of Mike Connolly relative to the sale of food and alcoholic beverages by restaurants and bars and for the establishment of a special commission (including members of the General Court) of the promotion and discounted sale of alcoholic beverages, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2628).

Filed by Mr. Velis-- Order relative to granting the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs until April 30, 2024 within which time to make its final report on current Senate document relative to Senate document relative to veterans and federal affair

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state's energy and environmental agency to create a "regulatory impact statement" before any new rules or policies that increase costs for cities and towns take effect. These statements must detail the financial burdens on local ratepayers, including administrative, capital, and compliance costs, while also estimating the benefits of the proposed changes. The legislation defines these cost-imposing actions as "local mandates" and ensures that the agency notifies relevant stakeholders before implementing such rules. Ultimately, the bill aims to increase transparency and accountability by mandating a thorough analysis of how state environmental regulations affect municipal budgets and residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to improve safety standards for dog kennels in Massachusetts by expanding the definition of regulated facilities and mandating new licensing and care requirements. It reclassifies personal kennels to include those with five or more dogs and introduces a new category for "personal breeder kennels," which are defined as operations with three or more intact female dogs kept for breeding and selling puppies. Under the law, all kennels must obtain a license, and the state department is required to create detailed rules covering staff-to-animal ratios, housing conditions, nutrition, and veterinary care. Additionally, the bill mandates that kennels report any injuries to animals or people and requires the department to make investigative reports publicly available online.

April 18, 2024 -- The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1309) of Mark C. Montigny, Adam Gomez, Jacob R. Oliveira, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase kennel safety aka Ollie’s Law, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2731).