Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Human Service Transportation (HST) Consumer Advisory Board within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to improve nonemergency transportation for people with disabilities. The board will consist of 13 voting members appointed by the governor, including representatives from various disability and senior living organizations, alongside two non-voting officials from the state health department. Its primary duties include holding at least six public meetings each year, conducting consumer listening sessions, and gathering feedback from service users and providers to identify challenges and propose improvements. Additionally, the board must submit an annual report with its recommendations to ensure the transportation system remains safe and reliable for all consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to restrict the marketing of sugary drinks in schools and requires chain restaurants to label high-sugar menu items. It directly affects school districts, local education agencies, and restaurant chains by prohibiting the advertising of non-compliant beverages on school property and banning programs that reward students with such drinks. The law defines "non-compliant beverages" as those failing federal nutrition standards and mandates that restaurants display an icon next to any standard menu item exceeding the daily value for added sugars. While the bill bans advertising on school buses, uniforms, and facilities, it allows promotions on external media outlets and product packaging. Additionally, the legislation does not apply to infrequent fundraising events held outside of normal school hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts pesticide laws to require a state license for anyone using glyphosate-containing herbicides on land for agricultural or non-agricultural purposes. It mandates that businesses selling these products must verify that customers hold valid certification before making a sale and restricts sales to transactions occurring on the seller's registered premises. Additionally, the legislation allows the state to impose further limits, such as requiring written permission for each use, if the pesticide is later classified as restricted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require sellers and landlords to disclose the presence of lead in water pipes and service lines when selling or renting property. The change expands existing disclosure requirements, which currently cover lead-based paint, to explicitly include plumbing systems. By updating the legal text, the legislation ensures that prospective buyers and tenants receive information about potential lead hazards in the building's water infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to change how members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are appointed by the governor. It specifies that the nine appointed members must include representatives from labor organizations, business and industry, parents, teachers, school committees, and four additional members. The legislation requires the governor to select these individuals from lists of three nominees provided by specific groups, such as the Massachusetts State Labor Council and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to strengthen due process protections for students facing suspension or expulsion for serious offenses like possessing weapons or controlled substances. It mandates that students and their parents receive written notice of charges in both English and the student's home language, along with specific rights to representation, access to evidence, and cross-examination during hearings. The legislation also clarifies the criteria for excluding students from school, requiring a documented concern about potential serious bodily injury rather than a general impact on school welfare. Additionally, it establishes a clear timeline for appeals to the school superintendent and expands the circumstances under which students can be held accountable for felony offenses.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to limit how schools can punish students for violations of dress and grooming codes. It requires school dress codes to allow religious headwear, apply rules equally to all genders, and forbid staff from physically enforcing these rules or making students undress in front of others. Additionally, the law prohibits suspending or expelling students solely for breaking dress code standards. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with creating necessary training and policies to help schools comply with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts to oversee the state's public school system. The board would consist of representatives from various groups, including teachers' unions, school administrators, parents, students, and community organizations, with a specific focus on ensuring diversity in membership. Key provisions establish a student advisory council made up of elected student representatives from regional councils across the state. Board members would serve five-year terms without pay, and the board is required to meet at least ten times each year. The legislation also defines the roles of the board chair and outlines rules for filling vacancies and managing conflicts of interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation designating the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Remembrance Day. The legislation is sponsored by multiple state representatives and aims to honor the lives lost and the challenges faced during the pandemic. By establishing this specific date, the bill creates a formal opportunity for the state to acknowledge the impact of the virus on Massachusetts communities. The measure does not change laws or require new funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to remember those affected by the pandemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law to offer counseling or other appropriate services as an alternative to monetary fines for parents who fail to send their children to school. Instead of immediately imposing a financial penalty, a court can order the parent and child to complete a program deemed suitable by the judge. If the court determines that both the parent and child have successfully finished these required programs, the charges will be dismissed. Additionally, the bill mandates that cases involving school attendance violations be handled on an expedited docket to ensure quicker resolution.