Sen. Dylan Fernandes

Maddy summaryThis law allows the Nantucket County government to transfer four specific pieces of land it currently owns to the Town of Nantucket. These parcels are designated for use as a bicycle path and are located along the Washington Street Extension. The transfer can include any necessary restrictions or easements that the town's select board decides are appropriate. The bill also ensures that state laws requiring the state to have a first right to buy this land do not apply to this transaction.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Nantucket to transfer a 5.74-acre parcel of land at 50 Altar Rock Road to the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc. The transfer is intended for open space, recreational, and conservation purposes and allows the town's select board to set specific terms, such as including easements or restrictions on the property. The legislation permits the town to accept a reciprocal land conveyance from the foundation to meet state environmental requirements. Once passed, the act becomes effective immediately and allows the town clerk to record the official map showing the property exchange.

Senate, July 30, 2024 - New draft (Senator Cyr) to Senate Bill authorizing the town of Nantucket to convey for roadway and any other purposes certain parcels of land within the roadway known as Ames Avenue, and shown as lots 35-38 (inclusive) in block 31 on land court plan no. 2408-m filed with the Nantucket registry district of the land court situated in the town of Nantucket held for conservation or recreational purposes to be conveyed for roadway and/or any purposes (Senate, No. 2417).

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stop wage theft and hold employers accountable by strengthening how the state enforces labor laws. It creates a new public enforcement unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate unpaid wages and other violations. The legislation also expands the types of penalties available to punish companies that fail to pay workers correctly. These changes directly affect employees who may have been underpaid and the businesses that employ them.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes banning the sale of cell phone location information to protect reproductive health access, LGBTQ individuals, religious liberty, and freedom of movement. It directly affects telecommunications companies and data brokers by restricting their ability to sell precise location data to third parties. The legislation aims to prevent the misuse of location tracking that could expose individuals to discrimination or surveillance in sensitive situations.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill relative to salary range transparency (House, No. 4109), reports, in part, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4890).

By Representative Fernandes of Falmouth and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dylan A. Fernandes and Julian Cyr (by vote of the town) that the county of Nantucket be authorized to convey certain parcels of land to the town of Nantucket. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2417) of Julian Cyr and Dylan A. Fernandes (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Nantucket to convey for roadway and any other purposes certain parcels of land within the roadway known as Ames Avenue, and shown as lots 35-38 (inclusive) in block 31 on land court plan no. 2408-m filed with the Nantucket registry district of the land court situated in the town of Nantucket held for conservation or recreational purposes to be conveyed for roadway and/or any purposes. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local approval received]

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3069) of Patrick Joseph Kearney and others relative to allowing legislative employees to unionize. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the Department of Public Health to support programs that prevent sexual exploitation and assist victims, while also requiring the department to publish an annual report on service usage and gaps. The legislation repeals existing laws that criminalize certain behaviors associated with prostitution and establishes a task force to train law enforcement officers on identifying and responding to human trafficking cases. By removing criminal penalties for specific acts and focusing resources on prevention and victim support, the bill aims to shift the approach toward addressing sexual exploitation through public health and community-based services rather than solely through punishment.