Sen. Mike Rush

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts veterans who are currently working for a state retirement system to receive full credit for their previous government employment when calculating their retirement benefits. It ensures that time spent in prior public service counts toward retirement eligibility regardless of whether the current and previous employers belong to the same retirement system. The legislation removes restrictions that previously limited how much past government work could be credited based on the number of years a veteran had already served in their current role.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how military service credit is handled for Massachusetts public employees who wish to retire. It requires these employees to apply for and pay for their military service credit while they are still working, before their retirement benefits begin. The change aims to simplify the process by ensuring all necessary payments are made during active employment rather than after retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify who is responsible for damages caused by dogs. It states that a dog's owner or keeper must pay for injuries or property damage unless the victim was trespassing, abusing the dog, or was grossly negligent. The law also holds parents or guardians liable if the dog owner is a minor. This change aims to make the rules for dog bite compensation clearer and more consistent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to teach hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator use as part of the physical or health education curriculum for grades 9 through 12. To meet this requirement, school districts must choose a free training program based on a nationally recognized standard that includes hands-on practice for every student. Participation is mandatory for graduation, but students can be exempted if a doctor certifies that the training would be harmful to them or if a parent or guardian submits a written objection. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teachers and other educators in Massachusetts to count their past work at private schools toward their public retirement benefits. To qualify, individuals must have at least ten years of membership in a public retirement system and must pay a specific fee, calculated as 10 percent of their salary for each year of private school service they wish to count. The law limits the amount of private school service that can be credited to a maximum of four years and prevents double-counting if someone already received credit for similar work under previous rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve early education and care in Massachusetts by exempting providers from certain price limits and clarifying who qualifies as a caregiver. It removes restrictions that cap the fees providers can charge, allowing them to set their own rates under specific contracts, while also defining "caregivers" to include guardians and non-resident supervisors. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new definition for "high needs" to identify children and families requiring extra support due to factors like disabilities, trauma, or economic hardship. These changes are designed to increase access to quality care and better support the development of young children across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the first Wednesday in May as Massachusetts State Parks Day. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the importance of the state's park lands and recreational facilities. The legislation aims to encourage the public to observe this day in a way that promotes and maintains the Commonwealth's parks system.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that all public schools in Massachusetts provide free breakfast and lunch to every student attending the school. To help cover these costs, the legislation requires schools to maximize the use of federal funding programs and assigns the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education the responsibility of paying for any remaining expenses not covered by federal reimbursements. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create regulations that help families access supplemental nutrition assistance programs by offering application support or referrals to relevant agencies. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to restrict the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements to anyone under the age of eighteen. It requires physical retail stores to keep these products behind counters or in locked cases and to ask for valid identification from customers who appear to be minors. Additionally, online sellers must verify that the recipient is at least 18 years old by requiring a signature and a government-issued photo ID upon delivery, while also collecting and verifying the buyer's name, birth date, and address. These measures aim to prevent children from accessing weight loss or muscle-building products without parental supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws to allow disability retirees to apply for specific job openings outside their original retirement system. It permits these individuals to be evaluated for any position they can perform, rather than just their former role, and allows them to return to active service if they qualify. If a retiree returns to work in a different system, their previous disability service time counts toward their new pension, though the original system may recoup some pension funds if they later retire again due to the same injury.