Sen. Jamie Eldridge

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state laws to replace outdated terms like "handicapped" and "mentally retarded" with modern, person-first language such as "individuals with disabilities" and "intellectual or developmental disabilities." The legislation directly affects various statutes within Chapter 6 of the General Laws, which cover areas including employment, veterans' benefits, and general disability protections. By systematically changing these specific words throughout the legal code, the bill ensures that official state documents use respectful and current terminology when referring to people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax on private colleges and universities in Massachusetts that have endowments larger than one billion dollars, requiring them to pay an annual fee of 2.5 percent on those funds. The money collected from this tax will be placed into a dedicated trust fund designed to help lower-income and middle-class residents pay for higher education, early childhood education, and child care services. To manage the fund, the bill establishes a seven-member board of trustees that includes representatives from state education departments, labor organizations, community colleges, and the private institutions being taxed.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to require large tax-exempt organizations to make payments in lieu of property taxes. Specifically, it mandates that organizations with property valued at $15 million or more pay 25% of the taxes they would owe if they were not exempt. The law gives municipalities the option to adopt this rule and requires them to create local agreements that can include exemptions for community benefits or other arrangements. It directly affects local governments seeking additional revenue and large non-profit or religious entities that currently do not pay property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission in Massachusetts dedicated to supporting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims. The commission will consist of eleven members appointed by various state officials, including the governor and leaders of the legislature, who must reside in the state and demonstrate a commitment to the Muslim American community. These unpaid members will serve three-year terms and will work to promote research, foster unity within the community, advise government bodies on relevant legislation, and ensure state agencies consider the unique needs of American Muslims. The commission is authorized to hold public meetings, accept donations and grants, and submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature detailing its findings and recommendations.

Filed by Mr. Eldridge -- Order relative to granting the committee on the Judiciary until December 31, 2024 within which time to make its final report on certain a current Senate document relative to adoptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to study and support the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of eleven members appointed by various state officials, including the governor, legislative leaders, and the attorney general, who must live in the state and show a commitment to the Muslim American community. Serving three-year terms without pay, the group will conduct research, advise government bodies on relevant legislation, and promote cooperation between the state and the Muslim community. Additionally, the commission will assess how state programs affect American Muslims and recommend qualified individuals for government positions.

By Representative Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2151) of Paul J. Donato and others relative to immunizations against infectious disease which give rise to a declared public health state of emergency. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to promote community immunity by requiring specific groups, including schools, child care centers, camps, and colleges, to enforce immunization schedules for participants. It mandates that enrollment in these programs be contingent upon proof of vaccination, a valid medical or religious exemption issued by the Department of Public Health, or evidence of a good faith effort to get vaccinated. The legislation explicitly allows private programs to adopt stricter rules but prohibits them from refusing medical exemptions, while also updating the state's administrative code to include the enforcement of these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Massachusetts to tax agricultural and horticultural land based on its farming value rather than its potential market value. The change would directly affect landowners who actively use their property for farming or gardening, potentially lowering their property taxes. To qualify for this reduced valuation, a land parcel must have been used for these purposes for at least two years and meet specific size requirements depending on the municipality's population. The amendment requires approval by the state legislature and a vote from the public to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to restore voting rights to individuals currently incarcerated in correctional facilities for felony convictions. The key provision involves removing a specific exclusion clause that currently bars these individuals from participating in elections. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would allow people serving felony sentences to vote while they are in prison. This measure directly affects the state's incarcerated population and aims to expand electoral participation for this specific group.