Sen. Cynthia Creem

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 147) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Josh S. Cutler and Daniel M. Donahue for legislation to provide consumers with equal protection for all real estate appraisals, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2476).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts employment laws to provide specific protections for individuals experiencing or who have experienced abusive behavior. It directly affects employers and employees by defining "abusive behavior" to include domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, kidnapping, and various forms of psychological or emotional abuse such as isolation, financial control, and intimidation. The legislation expands the definition of who counts as a family member to include current and former partners, people with whom one shares a child, and those in guardianship relationships, ensuring these individuals are covered under existing workplace anti-discrimination and leave provisions.

Senate, January 2, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to fentanyl test strips (Senate, No. 2458),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2543).

Senate, October 10, 2023 -- The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 926) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to fentanyl test strips; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1736) of David M. Rogers, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to fentanyl test strips, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2458).

Senate, January 3, 2024 -- (Filed by Ms. Creem) Order informing the Governor and the Council that the two branches of the General Court are now assembled and ready to proceed to business

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts legislature to update state laws by replacing the term "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" in various statutes. The primary mechanism involves amending specific sections across multiple chapters of the General Laws to reflect this terminology change. These revisions affect official state records and legal definitions related to individuals with hearing disabilities. The change aims to align the state's language with current preferences for describing people with hearing loss.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires beauty and wellness professionals in Massachusetts, including aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists, to complete one hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness training. The training must be approved by the Board of Cosmetology and can be taken either in person or online, with the cost covered by the state. Schools offering these programs must also include this one-hour training in their curriculum to maintain their licenses. Additionally, the law provides legal protection for these professionals and their employers if they act in good faith based on information learned during the training.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strictly prohibit unlicensed individuals from preparing paid real estate appraisals or appraisal reports within the state. The primary mechanism involves adding a new sentence to existing regulations that explicitly bans non-licensed persons from performing these tasks for a fee, while also removing a previous subdivision that allowed certain exceptions. These changes directly affect real estate professionals and consumers by ensuring that all compensated appraisal work is conducted only by licensed experts. The legislation aims to standardize the qualifications required for anyone offering paid appraisal services in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove fentanyl test strips from the legal definition of drug paraphernalia. It directly affects individuals who possess, provide, or use these testing devices by protecting them from criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and professional disciplinary actions. The legislation explicitly states that people acting in good faith to determine if a substance contains fentanyl will not face liability, though this protection does not extend to cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct. By reclassifying these tools, the bill aims to reduce legal barriers to their use without changing any other existing regulations.

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation relative to intervenors and utility work. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.