Senate, January 22, 2026 - Substituted as a new draft (Senator Fernandes) for the Senate Bill relative to elected and appointed officials of the town of Plymouth (Senate, No. 2679).
December 15, 2025 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 383) of John F. Keenan for legislation to create a facilities loan program for private special education schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 430) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation for a special commission to review and valuate the commonwealth’s current special education financing structure; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 442) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a special commission on special education funding; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 454) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to conduct a study on the delivery of special education services; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 455) of Bruce E. Tarr relative to the foundation funding of special education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2864).
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1454) of Joan B. Lovely, David T. Vieira, Jason M. Lewis, Dylan A. Fernandes and others for legislation relative to PEG access and cable related funds. Municipalities and Regional Government.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1248) would codify the legal standing of public interest organizations to sue in court to protect civil rights. It directly affects civil rights groups, courts, and potentially the individuals whose rights are being defended. The key provision would formally establish that these organizations can bring lawsuits without needing to prove direct harm to themselves, streamlining legal challenges to civil rights violations. Sponsored by Senator Rebecca Rausch and referred to the Judiciary Committee, it aims to clarify and strengthen organizational access to courts for civil rights enforcement.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies conflict-of-interest rules for employees of educational collaboratives (regional groups of school districts) and their member schools. It allows these employees to have financial interests in contracts their collaborative or school district awards for educational services, professional development, or related student/family support, provided they disclose the contracts in writing to both agencies involved. The employee's supervisor and the collaborative's head must approve these arrangements before services begin, and contracts must either be publicly noticed or awarded through open competition. This directly affects school district employees and collaborative staff who may now engage in financial arrangements with their own organizations under these disclosure and approval requirements.
By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 863) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation relative to coverage for non-opioid pain medications for chronic pain. Health Care Financing.
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 742) of Paul R. Feeney, James B. Eldridge, Dylan A. Fernandes, Jacob R. Oliveira and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to cognitive rehabilitation. Financial Services.
By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1538) of Dylan A. Fernandes that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services be authorized to establish a program to promote, incentivize and support the development and deployment of eligible therapies among veterans and first responders. Public Health.
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 154) of Joan B. Lovely and Vanna Howard for legislation to establish guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 698) of Brendan P. Crighton and Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation relative to consumer deductibles. Financial Services.
