Sen. John Keenan

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Division of Waterways to dredge the harbor area around Houghs Neck in Quincy. It authorizes the use of up to $800,000 in appropriated funds to complete this work. The legislation specifically targets the maintenance of this local waterway without imposing new requirements on private citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Division of Waterways to dredge a specific natural channel in Quincy Bay located between the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht Clubs. The primary purpose of this work is to maintain the channel as a designated emergency route for the United States Coast Guard, ensuring it can facilitate the evacuation of residents and the rapid transport of accident victims to medical facilities. By amending state law, the legislation mandates this maintenance activity to support public safety and emergency response capabilities in the area.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit on filing civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse in Massachusetts, allowing survivors to seek compensation regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. It specifically permits victims to sue for damages against the individuals who committed the abuse as well as against employers or supervisors if negligence is proven. The law applies to cases that happened before, during, or after the bill's passage, ensuring that past claims are not automatically barred by the state's usual legal time limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts law enforcement and correctional officers to complete new training on interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The training, which must be established by municipal police training committees by January 1, 2024, focuses on de-escalating situations and providing positive responses without adding to existing mandatory training hours. It also mandates the creation of specific guidelines for how officers should handle interactions with these individuals who are victims, witnesses, or suspects in criminal matters. The legislation applies to a wide range of agencies, including city and town police, state police, university police, and correctional facility officers.

March 14, 2024 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1388) of John F. Keenan, Lydia Edwards, John C. Velis, Kay Khan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to recovery coach licensure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2681).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Rockland, Massachusetts, to officially change the name of the town's governing body from the "Board of Selectmen" to the "Select Board." The legislation requires replacing every instance of the terms "Board of Selectmen," "Selectmen," or "selectmen" with "Select Board" throughout various sections of the local charter. This procedural change updates the official title of the group responsible for town administration without altering their duties or the number of members serving on the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a person with a developmental disability in Massachusetts to clarify eligibility criteria for state services. It establishes that the condition must involve severe, chronic impairments appearing before age 22 that limit functioning in at least three major life areas, such as self-care, learning, or mobility. The legislation also specifies that individuals under five with a high probability of developing such disabilities are included if they do not receive necessary services. Additionally, the law clarifies that having a developmental disability does not automatically mean a person is mentally ill, ensuring these conditions are treated as distinct categories. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teachers and public school employees in Massachusetts who joined the retirement system before July 1, 2001, but never chose an alternative retirement plan, to make a one-time election to join that alternative program. To qualify, individuals must have started contributing to the Teachers' Retirement System or the Boston Retirement System on or before that same 2001 date. Those eligible must make their choice between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, or before they retire if they apply for benefits earlier. If they choose to participate, they will contribute 11 percent of their salary to the plan and may need to pay back contributions from the time they originally joined the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts unemployment insurance laws to allow the state commissioner to waive recovery of overpayments when the recipient is found to be without fault. It expands the ability to forgive these debts in cases where collecting the money would defeat the purpose of the benefits or be considered unfair. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that the state can only offset unemployment overpayments against state or federal tax refunds if the individual was at fault for the error. The bill also requires the department to provide multilingual notices explaining these waiver standards to all affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a formal regulatory framework for surgical assistants in Massachusetts by establishing a new board to oversee their licensure and practice. It defines the role of a surgical assistant as an individual working under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor who performs specific patient care tasks, such as suturing tissue or manipulating organs. The legislation requires surgical facilities to employ only licensed individuals for these roles, though it allows for temporary waivers in special circumstances and clarifies that other licensed health care providers can still perform similar duties within their existing scope of practice. Additionally, the bill grants the new board authority to set education standards, process applications, and enforce discipline against licensees who violate ethical rules or regulations.