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.
Sen. Becca Rausch
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new Massachusetts public bank that would be entirely owned by the state to hold a portion of public funds and invest them within the commonwealth. The bank is designed to support local economic goals by providing affordable financing to small businesses, minority and women-owned enterprises, cooperatives, and family farms, while also addressing needs in affordable housing and climate change mitigation. To ensure transparency and community involvement, the bank must operate under a governance structure that includes public input and will be supervised by the commissioner of banks for safety and soundness.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase funding for behavioral health services in Massachusetts by establishing specific spending growth targets. It requires state officials to set annual spending goals that are 30% higher than the previous year's baseline for the period ending in 2026, with a similar requirement for future years unless a two-thirds vote approves a different rate. The legislation also mandates public hearings to review these cost trends and ensures that behavioral health costs are included in broader healthcare expenditure analyses. Directly affecting state agencies and healthcare payers, the bill creates a structured framework to prioritize and expand funding for mental health and substance use care.
By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2351) of Kay Khan and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2334) of Carlos González, Bud L. Williams and Jason M. Lewis relative to tracking, tracing and stopping illegal firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representatives Linsky of Natick and Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2358) of David Paul Linsky, Jack Patrick Lewis and others relative to the assault weapons ban. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
April 22, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 240) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to mental health education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 247) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Susannah M. Whipps for legislation relative to remodel public school athletics through social-emotional learning; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 248) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Vanna Howard for legislation to promote social-emotional learning; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 276) of Barry R. Finegold and Vanna Howard for legislation relative to safety and violence education for students (the SAVE Students Act); (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 333) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 342) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to substance use education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 346) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Lydia Edwards and James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 350) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry for legislation relative to physical and social recess in schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2741).
By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2317) of Carol A. Doherty and others relative to the establishment of the PFAS research and development public safety fund to be administered by the Secretary of Public Safety and Security. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
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 Massachusetts labor laws to extend the mandatory negotiation period for public employees from an unspecified reasonable time to a fixed six months before a strike can occur. It directly affects public sector workers by establishing a strict timeline where strikes are prohibited until six months of collective bargaining have passed, with a specific exception allowing public safety employees to strike immediately if negotiations fail. The legislation also clarifies that certain legal protections for impasses do not apply once a formal dispute is filed, ensuring the six-month negotiation window is the primary barrier to work stoppages.