Sen. Jamie Eldridge

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 400) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Bruce E. Tarr, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to ensure adequate and equitable funding for public education. Education.

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1118) of Cindy F. Friedman, Rebecca L. Rausch and Julian Cyr for legislation to make it unlawful for a professional investor doing business in the commonwealth to make sexual harassment advances. The Judiciary.

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1058) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to expunge juvenile and young adult records. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sexual harassment by "professional investors" (such as banks, venture capital firms, or financial institutions) in business transactions within Massachusetts. It makes it unlawful to make sexual advances or requests for sexual favors as a condition for investment deals, or when such conduct creates a hostile work environment affecting business relationships. Individuals or businesses harmed by these violations can sue for damages, including attorney fees, and the Attorney General can also enforce the law. The bill specifically targets harassment in financial transactions, not general workplace harassment.

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 102) of Michael J. Barrett, James K. Hawkins, Joanne M. Comerford, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to require changing stations in public buildings. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO) within the governor's office to ensure equal access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) and deaf or hard of hearing residents. The OAO, led by a governor-appointed deputy chief, will develop policies to advance non-discrimination in state employment, procurement, and services, and require all state agencies to create language access plans. These plans must outline how agencies will provide oral interpretation, translation, and auxiliary services to ensure LEP and deaf/hard of hearing individuals can effectively access state programs. The bill directly affects state agencies and the public they serve, mandating concrete steps to remove language barriers in government services.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 403) of Jason M. Lewis, Rebecca L. Rausch, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge and others for legislation to establish a special commission to review the adequacy and equity of the Massachusetts school building program. Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3434) expands access to community-based diversion programs for youth in Massachusetts juvenile court. It directly affects minors charged with eligible offenses who would otherwise face formal court proceedings. Key changes include: removing barriers that previously disqualified youth from diversion (like referrals to court), requiring law enforcement to stop sharing juvenile arrest records with federal agencies like the FBI, and clarifying that diverted cases don’t count as criminal complaints. The bill also specifies which offenses (such as minor traffic violations or certain low-level crimes) still allow diversion, while excluding serious charges like violent offenses. These changes aim to reduce juvenile justice system involvement for non-violent cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 23-member interagency commission to study the potential decriminalization of sex work in Massachusetts. The commission includes health officials, advocates for sex workers and transgender rights, anti-trafficking organizations, and current/former sex workers. It will examine criminal penalties, needed labor protections, health services, trafficking prevention strategies, and public health approaches to safety in the sex work sector. The commission must submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current laws. This is a study measure, not a law that decriminalizes sex work.

Senate, October 9, 2025 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to menstrual product ingredient disclosure (Senate, No. 1483),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2641).