Sen. John Keenan

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Caregivers to Adults with Disabilities Fund to support the education of family members caring for adults with disabilities. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education will manage the fund, which will be financed through state appropriations, interest, and donations, and will automatically carry over any unused money to future years. The primary goal is to help these caregivers by paying for their tuition and fees at eligible community colleges. The bill also requires the board to report annually on how the money is used and directs the state comptroller to transfer an initial $4.125 million from the General Fund to start the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help Master of Social Work students in Massachusetts cover the costs of their field placements. The Department of Education would administer these funds, which are intended to recruit and retain students from historically marginalized and low-income communities. To qualify, students must commit to working in the state for at least two years after graduation, and the program prioritizes first-generation college students while requiring at least half of the recipients to identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The financial assistance ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month depending on the student's year of study, with applications accepted annually between January and March.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 327) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Deborah B. Goldberg, Treasurer and Receiver General for legislation to require financial education in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 328) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Ryan C. Fattman for legislation relative to student financial literacy; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 473) of Peter J. Durant and others relative to establishing a personal financial literacy curriculum in schools; and (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan M. Hamilton, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and Sally P. Kerans relative to personal financial literacy in schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2665).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 160) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Manny Cruz, Susannah M. Whipps, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to Social Work Uplifting Practices and Exam Removal (“The SUPER Act”), report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2673).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 829) of John F. Keenan and Michael O. Moore for legislation to establish a behavioral health workforce center of excellence; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1275) of Kay Khan, Kate Donaghue and others for legislation to establish a behavioral health workforce center of excellence at a state or community college, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2678).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 847) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Russell E. Holmes, David F. DeCoste, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to support college students in recovery; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 849) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to opioid overdose prevention in college housing, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2680).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmer breweries and pub brewers in Massachusetts to sell their malt beverages at certified agricultural events like farmers' markets and fairs. Under the new rules, these producers can obtain a special license to sell their drinks in sealed containers for customers to take away, provided the event is officially approved by the Department of Agricultural Resources. The legislation also permits brewers to offer small, free samples of their products at these events, with specific limits on the size and number of samples given to each person. To qualify, the brewery must submit a detailed plan outlining the event details and demonstrate that the gathering focuses on local agricultural products.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase diversity among Massachusetts educators by requiring the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create new hiring guidelines and alternative certification options. The law mandates that public schools and districts develop specific plans to eliminate discriminatory barriers, actively recruit underrepresented groups, and set measurable goals for hiring diversity that must be updated every three years. Additionally, it establishes a review process to ensure these plans meet state criteria and requires regular reporting on their implementation. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will also explore alternative ways to grant teacher certification, such as accepting portfolios or degrees from other states, instead of relying solely on standard testing.

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 478) of James B. Eldridge, Adam Scanlon, Michael J. Barrett, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand the sale of products by farmer breweries; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 387) of Adam Scanlon and others relative to the sale of products by farmer distilleries and wineries, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2629).

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 239) of Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins, Patrick M. O'Connor and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish a special commission on creating a more diversified teaching workforce in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 252) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially integrated schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to promote racially and culturally inclusive K-12 curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 259) of Julian Cyr, Jack Patrick Lewis, Vanna Howard and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 286) of Adam Gomez and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure diversity in public education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 288) of Adam Gomez, Tram T. Nguyen, Steven Ultrino, Jack Patrick Lewis and others for legislation to promote racially inclusive curriculum in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 299) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Steven Owens and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to address racial and cultural bias training in educator professional development; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 311) of Jason M. Lewis, Manny Cruz, Joanne M. Comerford, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to educator diversity; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 318) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Lydia Edwards, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a permanent commission on American Indian and Alaska Native education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 340) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to enable all students to thrive: protecting a high quality, diverse educator workforce; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 344) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Jack Patrick Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to celebrate and teach Native American culture and history, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2709).