Sen. Susan Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $185 million from the state's General Fund to the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection fund to help address water pollution in nitrogen-sensitive areas. The money will be distributed to local municipalities based on how many of these sensitive watersheds are located within their borders. Funds can be used for planning and implementing projects to reduce water pollution, including providing loans or subsidies for community septic management systems. This legislation specifically targets areas designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as nitrogen-sensitive to ensure compliance with state environmental codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide limit on the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time within Massachusetts hospitals. The specific patient-to-nurse ratios would be set by the Department of Public Health after holding public hearings and considering various hospital units, including emergency rooms and maternity wards. Facilities found violating these limits could face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day, and the law protects nurses from retaliation if they follow the new staffing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends liability protection to licensed registered nurses who volunteer their services during declared disasters or public health emergencies in Massachusetts. It shields these volunteers from licensure board discipline, civil lawsuits, and criminal prosecution for injuries or harm caused to patients, provided their actions do not amount to criminal negligence. Additionally, the legislation ensures that volunteer nurses who are injured, disabled, or die while serving are treated as state employees for the purpose of receiving workers' compensation benefits. The law specifically applies to nurses in good standing who provide care without expectation of payment when local resources are insufficient to meet community needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and surgical centers in Massachusetts to use smoke evacuation systems for any procedure that creates surgical smoke using energy-based tools like lasers or electrosurgery. The law defines surgical smoke as harmful airborne particles generated during tissue contact and mandates that facilities adopt policies to capture and neutralize this smoke before it reaches patients or staff. Facilities that fail to comply with these new safety standards face a fine of at least $500 for each violation. Additionally, the bill sets a January 1, 2024, start date for these requirements and asks surgical centers to submit their compliance policies to the Department of Public Health by April 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryKianna's Law amends Massachusetts domestic violence laws to ensure victims and their families are notified by law enforcement when restraining orders are served, fail to be served, or expire. The bill mandates that courts issue abuse prevention orders for a fixed one-year term and requires police to enter order details into a public safety system to trigger immediate service attempts if an order has not been delivered. Additionally, the law grants victims and witnesses a specific right to receive updates on the status of these orders and directs the Victim and Witness Assistance Board to survey local agencies on how well they support victims. These changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in the legal process for domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the James Ward Act, increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident involving a recreational vehicle or snowmobile while causing bodily injury to another person. Under the new rules, offenders who do not stop to provide their name, address, and vehicle registration details could face up to one year in jail or a fine of $500 to $1,000 if no one dies. If the accident results in a death, the maximum penalty rises to two and a half years in jail or a fine of up to $5,000. The law specifically targets hit-and-run incidents involving recreational vehicles and snowmobiles to ensure accountability when injuries occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect consumers from deceptive pricing practices in cable television contracts. It requires cable providers to offer teaser rates for a minimum of 12 consecutive months before any price increase occurs. Additionally, the legislation mandates that customers receive written and electronic notice 60 and 30 days before a rate hike and prohibits providers from charging cancellation fees if a subscriber leaves before the price goes up.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to permit students to possess and consume medical marijuana under existing prescriptions. It specifically removes a restriction that previously prohibited students from accessing these medications in certain school settings. The change allows students with valid medical needs to follow their prescribed treatment plans without violating school policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing requirement for cryptocurrency platforms that serve customers in Massachusetts, mandating that they register with the state's Division of Banks. To operate legally, these exchanges must submit detailed documents under oath, including their organizational structure, business plans, and lists of affiliates. The law specifically defines "virtual currency" to cover various digital assets while excluding items like gaming tokens or loyalty points that cannot be converted to real money. By establishing these registration rules, the legislation aims to bring crypto exchanges serving Massachusetts residents under existing state financial oversight.