Maddy summaryHD 1916 requires Massachusetts public schools to include specific content about Native American culture and history in their curriculum. The bill mandates that educational standards cover five key areas: the history and current issues of Massachusetts tribes (like Wampanoag and Nipmuc), historic tribal connections to the state (such as the Wabanaki Confederacy), national Native American history, tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, and contemporary issues facing Native Americans in Massachusetts. School boards must consult with the Commonwealth's established relationship with Native American tribes - defined by treaties, laws, and executive orders - when developing these standards. This policy change directly affects all public school students and educators in Massachusetts by setting new curriculum requirements for teaching Native American heritage.
Sen. Jamie Eldridge
Sponsored bills
By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 761) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure access to full spectrum pregnancy care. Financial Services.
Maddy summaryHD 2132 updates Massachusetts education laws to replace "STEM" with "STEAM" (adding "art" to the acronym) in multiple statutes. It specifically amends sections of Chapter 6 (education), Chapter 40J (school buildings), and Chapter 10 (school programs) by inserting "art" after "engineering" and changing "STEM" to "STEAM" wherever it appears. This bill directly affects state education policy references and curriculum frameworks, not new programs or funding. The change is purely terminological, reflecting a shift in how Massachusetts education laws describe integrated science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning. It has no immediate impact on school operations or funding, as it only updates existing legal language.
By Representatives Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose and Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 86) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian, David T. Vieira and others relative to regulation of location information derived from electronic devices. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 245) of Adam Gomez, Robyn K. Kennedy and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 340) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Michael J. Barrett, Cindy F. Friedman, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to healthy youth. Education.
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 336) of Julian Cyr and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum. Education.
By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 544) of William N. Brownsberger, Joanne M. Comerford, Dylan A. Fernandes and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to prohibit the mistreatment of birds. Environment and Natural Resources.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2562) creates a property tax exemption for small urban farms in qualifying cities and towns. It exempts up to 100% of the assessed value of real estate used for agriculture or horticulture, provided the land is under 2 acres, the farm generated at least $500 in annual sales, and the property is used primarily for farming. Cities or towns with 50,000+ residents or designated as "gateway municipalities" must choose to adopt the exemption, and they can set the exemption percentage and decide if rooftop/container farms qualify. The exemption applies only to the agricultural portion of the property, not the entire parcel.
By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2169) of Paul W. Mark, David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Joanne M. Comerford, Michael D. Brady and others for legislation to authorize cultural facilities owned by tribal governments to be financed on the same basis as projects which are municipally owned. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.