Sen. Sal DiDomenico

Maddy summaryThis bill requires food service establishments in Massachusetts to include a specific video on food allergies as part of the certification process for food protection managers. The video must be interactive, include a knowledge check to verify understanding, and feature the most current information on allergens, with approval standards set by the state in consultation with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Food Allergy Research & Education, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Additionally, the law mandates that at least one employee present during food service hours must have viewed this video, and it updates the list of organizations responsible for reviewing and approving the educational material every five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the funding cap for neighborhood stabilization projects from $10 million to $30 million to support economic development in distressed areas. It updates legal definitions for terms like "decadent area" and "sub-standard area" to better identify properties that are unsafe, dilapidated, or unlikely to be redeveloped by private enterprise. The legislation also formally adds "neighborhood stabilization" as a specific category of work eligible for state assistance. By clarifying these definitions and raising the financial limit, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines and more resources for communities seeking to rehabilitate vacant or deteriorating buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax law to allow child care providers to exclude certain federal and state pandemic relief funds from their taxable income. It specifically targets grants and payments received under the CARES Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, and specific 2021 state distributions intended to support the child care sector during the COVID-19 crisis. The legislation clarifies that this tax exemption applies only to the relief funds themselves and does not extend to parent fees already covered by the Commonwealth. By removing these specific payments from gross income calculations, the act aims to reduce the tax burden on providers who received financial assistance during the pandemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts school law to allow trained health assistants to administer low blood sugar treatment and monitor symptoms for students with type 1 diabetes under the supervision of a licensed school nurse. It clarifies that while parenteral medication like insulin pumps must be given by a nurse, glucose monitoring and insulin delivery can occur in the classroom if approved by the student's family and physician. Additionally, the legislation requires that every student with diabetes be placed in a classroom with an existing health or instructional assistant and mandates that all school staff receive annual training on treating low blood sugar and monitoring symptoms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to strengthen due process protections for students facing suspension or expulsion for serious offenses like possessing weapons or controlled substances. It mandates that students and their parents receive written notice of charges in both English and the student's home language, along with specific rights to representation, access to evidence, and cross-examination during hearings. The legislation also clarifies the criteria for excluding students from school, requiring a documented concern about potential serious bodily injury rather than a general impact on school welfare. Additionally, it establishes a clear timeline for appeals to the school superintendent and expands the circumstances under which students can be held accountable for felony offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to launch a Wetlands Restoration Streamlining Initiative aimed at speeding up the approval process for nature-based wetland projects in Massachusetts. A designated coordinator will lead efforts to align various state agencies and federal partners to expedite permitting, clarify regulations, and provide technical support to municipalities, nonprofits, and other project proponents. The initiative specifically targets nature-based solutions and includes a goal to create a unified permitting process that allows for state approvals within three months of a complete application submission. Additionally, the coordinator must address delays in pending salt marsh restoration permits within 90 days and submit final recommendations for regulatory reforms within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts tax law to allow homeowners to exclude up to $2 million of forgiven mortgage debt from their state taxable income, provided the debt was related to their primary residence. It specifically covers situations where debt is reduced through restructuring or forgiven during a foreclosure, while excluding cases where the loan is discharged due to services performed for the lender or other factors unrelated to the home's value. The excluded amount is used to lower the taxpayer's basis in their home rather than creating a cash refund, and the law applies retroactively to debt discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2013.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every school district in Massachusetts to create and submit an annual literacy strategic plan that aligns with state goals and focuses on evidence-based reading instruction. The plans must detail how districts will provide professional development, select core curricula, and offer interventions for students who struggle with reading, particularly in grades K-3. Additionally, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will develop a list of approved training programs and free online modules to help teachers and administrators implement science-based literacy practices. A stakeholder panel will also be formed to recommend improvements for teacher training and licensure related to early literacy by the end of 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new role called an "expectant and parenting student liaison" in public schools across Massachusetts to support pregnant students and those with young children. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will create a model policy and resource list for schools to follow, while specific districts with high teen birth rates will be required to hire liaisons and receive funding to do so. These liaisons are tasked with working one-on-one with students to create individualized graduation plans that include flexible scheduling and alternative ways to earn credits. The law also mandates that schools post contact information for these liaisons online and ensures they have access to necessary student records to help develop effective graduation strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation designating the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Remembrance Day. The legislation is sponsored by multiple state representatives and aims to honor the lives lost and the challenges faced during the pandemic. By establishing this specific date, the bill creates a formal opportunity for the state to acknowledge the impact of the virus on Massachusetts communities. The measure does not change laws or require new funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to remember those affected by the pandemic.