Sen. Sal DiDomenico

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect the right to repair portable wireless devices, such as smartphones. It defines specific roles like "authorized repair providers" and "independent repair providers" to clarify who can legally fix these devices. The legislation requires manufacturers to provide necessary parts, tools, and technical documentation to independent repair shops on fair and reasonable terms, ensuring they have equal access to repair information. By mandating these provisions, the bill aims to allow consumers to choose where they get their devices fixed without being restricted by manufacturer policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework in Massachusetts to ensure that owners of portable wireless devices can have them repaired by independent repair shops. It requires manufacturers to provide independent repair providers with the necessary parts, tools, and technical documentation on fair and reasonable terms, preventing companies from blocking third-party repairs through restrictive access. The law defines specific categories for manufacturers, authorized repair providers, and independent repair providers to clarify who must comply with these access requirements. By mandating access to repair resources, the legislation aims to increase consumer choice and competition in the device repair market.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration of Behavior Analysts within the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure to oversee the licensing and regulation of applied behavior analysts. The board will consist of nine members, including licensed professionals with varying degrees and two public members, who will meet at least twice a year to manage licensure, set ethical rules, and discipline those who violate regulations. The legislation also establishes a process for issuing licenses, approving reciprocal licenses from other states, and maintaining a public list of qualified behavior analysts. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to adjust the composition of the Board of Examiners in Mental Health and Human Services and updates references in the general statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Everett to issue eight new licenses for businesses that sell and serve alcoholic beverages on the premises. The legislation allows the city to grant five of these licenses to any eligible operator and two additional licenses for specific types of alcohol sales, such as wine and malt beverages, while still requiring that all new locations comply with local zoning rules. To ensure community input, the bill mandates public hearings before any existing licenses can be transferred or before new licenses are issued. Additionally, the new licenses will carry the same administrative fees as current ones and must be returned to the city if they are cancelled or no longer in use.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect home buyers by guaranteeing their right to have a residential property inspected by a licensed home inspector within ten days of accepting an offer. It prohibits sellers and their agents from conditioning the sale on a buyer waiving this inspection right, with specific exceptions for family members and certain divorce-related transactions. The legislation also mandates that every purchase offer include a standardized notice informing buyers of this new right and outlining the process for canceling the offer if serious defects are found during the inspection.

The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 142) of Michael D. Brady, Sal N. DiDomenico, Anne M. Gobi, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to digital right to repair; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 360) of Adrian C. Madaro and others relative to digital right to repair, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2478).

Senate, October 19, -- 2023 The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 197) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, John H. Rogers, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect consumer rights in purchasing safe and habitable homes; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 245) of Brian M. Ashe and others for legislation to provide for a right to home inspections for buyers, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2474).

Senate, October 19, 2023 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 158) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to applied behavior analysts; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 271) of Tackey Chan and Sal N. DiDomenico relative to the licensure of behavior analysts, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2475).

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the provision in Massachusetts law that classifies petit treason as murder. By striking the specific language in Chapter 265 of the General Laws, the legislation would change how the state legally defines and prosecutes this specific type of crime. The change directly affects the judicial process by altering the statutory penalties associated with petit treason. Currently, the bill would eliminate the requirement to treat these offenses with the same severity as murder.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the specific instruction in Massachusetts law that treats petit treason as murder. Petit treason is a historical legal concept that once applied to crimes like a servant killing their master or a wife killing her husband. By striking the phrase "petit treason shall be prosecuted and punished as murder," the legislation effectively decouples these specific acts from the severe penalties associated with murder. The change impacts the state's criminal code by updating how these rare offenses are legally defined and punished.