Sen. Susan Moran

April 1, 2024 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 160) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Manny Cruz, Susannah M. Whipps, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to Social Work Uplifting Practices and Exam Removal (“The SUPER Act”), report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2673).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission in Massachusetts to investigate blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, aiming to create a master plan for their expansion within the state. The commission will consist of 25 members appointed by various officials, including the governor, legislative leaders, and representatives from sectors like finance and higher education. Its primary tasks include examining how blockchain can be used in government and business, assessing tax implications for digital assets, evaluating consumer protection needs, and determining which agencies should oversee the industry. The commission is required to submit a final report with specific recommendations and draft legislation to the General Court within one year of its members being appointed.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Boater Safety Program Fund in Massachusetts to support safety initiatives for people who operate boats and paddlecraft. The fund will be financed by collecting 75 percent of fines and penalties related to boating violations, with the remaining 25 percent going to the law enforcement agencies that issued the penalties. Money in the fund can be used without needing additional state approval to run safety training programs, equip law enforcement for accident investigations, and provide grants to local communities for boating safety activities. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify the roles of the Office of Law Enforcement and establishes a requirement for annual reporting on how the fund is used.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all charter schools in Massachusetts to increase transparency and public accountability by making their applications, budgets, and contracts available online. It mandates that at least half of the governing board members be elected parents or students and requires board members to file financial disclosures to prevent conflicts of interest. The legislation also grants charter school employees the same due process rights and collective bargaining protections as public school employees while prohibiting discriminatory enrollment practices. Additionally, the bill creates an independent ombudsman office to handle appeals regarding student enrollment and withdrawal decisions. Finally, it establishes an office of the ombudsman to oversee compliance and requires management companies to publicly disclose their financial relationships with the schools they operate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding tool within the Massachusetts School Building Authority to invest in vocational-technical education programs and regional schools. It allocates $3 billion to replace or renovate school infrastructure and purchase critical training equipment to better prepare students for industry-relevant careers. The legislation also adjusts reimbursement rates for these projects, allowing the state to cover between 75% and 90% of eligible construction costs, with higher rates available for schools that align with regional workforce needs.

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 292) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford and Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to the financial impact of charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 302) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to strengthen the evaluation process for proposed new charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 304) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the net school spending cap; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 320) of Michael O. Moore and Adam Scanlon for legislation relative to local approval for charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 321) of Susan L. Moran, Vanna Howard and James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensure charter school transparency and public accountability; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 352) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to ensure the integrity of charter schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2662).

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of John J. Cronin, Manny Cruz and John Barrett, III for legislation to create and expand student pathways to success; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Paul R. Feeney, Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Susan Williams Gifford and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access, opportunity, and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 297) of Edward J. Kennedy and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 306) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 334) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jeffrey N. Roy and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission in Massachusetts to study blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The commission will consist of 25 members, including state officials, industry representatives, and consumer advocates, who must meet within 90 days to begin their work. Its main task is to investigate how blockchain could be used by government and businesses, examine tax implications for digital assets, and determine the best ways to protect consumers while encouraging responsible adoption. The group will also look at energy usage, regulatory oversight, and barriers that might prevent certain groups from participating in these emerging technologies. Ultimately, the commission will produce a master plan with recommendations for expanding blockchain use in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing laws to strengthen protections for the Upper Cape water supply reserve in Massachusetts. It requires the state commission to consult with four specific advisory groups before approving any new projects that would destroy ten acres or more of habitat or clearcut forests. If the commission decides to allow such projects or adjust environmental rules, it must hold a public hearing in one of four local towns before making a final decision. The measure aims to ensure that development on this critical water source undergoes thorough review and community input.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax law to allow child care providers to exclude certain federal and state pandemic relief funds from their taxable income. It specifically targets grants and payments received under the CARES Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, and specific 2021 state distributions intended to support the child care sector during the COVID-19 crisis. The legislation clarifies that this tax exemption applies only to the relief funds themselves and does not extend to parent fees already covered by the Commonwealth. By removing these specific payments from gross income calculations, the act aims to reduce the tax burden on providers who received financial assistance during the pandemic.