Sen. Jamie Eldridge

Senate, July 24, 2025 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 41) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Joan B. Lovely, Susannah M. Whipps and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive statewide policy concerning streaming entertainment services and the recovery of municipal costs for digital infrastructure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2556).

Maddy summaryHD 2042 updates how government entities must publish legal notices required by law. It allows municipalities, state agencies, and others to publish notices via print newspapers, newspaper websites, statewide digital repositories, or local city/town websites - not just traditional print. The bill also clarifies that minor technical errors (like website outages) won’t invalidate a notice if it appears correctly elsewhere online. Additionally, it permits cities/towns to publish public hearing notices exclusively on official websites instead of print. This change modernizes notice requirements while ensuring digital publications meet legal standards.

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1709) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to distribute Narcan to a detainee or prisoner at risk for an overdose upon discharge from a correctional facility. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Senate, July 17, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill relative to fairness in debt collection (Senate, No. 2559) (being the text of Senate, No. 2551, printed as amended).

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 468) of Adam Gomez, Jason M. Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia by developing a public awareness campaign on brain health. Elder Affairs.

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 470) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Michael O. Moore, Paul K. Frost, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve Massachusetts home care. Elder Affairs.

Senate, June 23, 2025 -- The committee on Financial Services to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 735) of James B. Eldridge, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to establish the Debt Collection Fairness Act, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2537).

Maddy summaryS 2551 creates new protections for consumers facing wage garnishment for consumer debt. It requires that 90% of a worker’s weekly wages (or 65 times the state/federal minimum hourly wage) be exempt from garnishment, with additional hardship exemptions available through a court process. The bill also prohibits employers from firing or refusing to hire workers due to consumer debt garnishments and exempts child support payments from collection. These changes directly affect consumers with wage garnishment orders, employers, and debt collectors operating in Massachusetts.

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 134) of Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge, Dylan A. Fernandes, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the Senate for legislation to establish an acquired brain injury advisory board. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1549) of Patricia D. Jehlen, John F. Keenan, Michael J. Barrett, Patrick M. O'Connor and other members of the Senate for legislation to increase access to disposable menstrual products. Public Health.