Sen. Susan Moran

The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 142) of Michael D. Brady, Sal N. DiDomenico, Anne M. Gobi, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to digital right to repair; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 360) of Adrian C. Madaro and others relative to digital right to repair, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2478).

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2389) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran and Tackey Chan for legislation to facilitate restitution against unfinished development to be known as the FRAUD Act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 313) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the home improvement guaranty fund, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2472).

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic violence in Massachusetts to include specific behaviors like coercive control and technological abuse. It clarifies that coercive control involves patterns of intimidation, isolation, or financial monitoring, while technological abuse covers actions such as cyberstalking, nonconsensual sharing of images, and electronic surveillance. The legislation also explicitly lists examples such as threatening deportation based on immigration status or forcing someone into criminal activity as forms of abuse. By updating these definitions, the law aims to provide clearer grounds for victims to seek protection orders against a wider range of harmful behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to create a new program aimed at improving the local and regional public health system, specifically targeting disparities in service delivery. The Department of Public Health will work with municipalities to establish a state action for public health excellence that ensures all residents have uniform access to essential services, with a focus on racial and health equity for historically underrepresented communities. Key provisions include developing statewide standards for public health programs, encouraging the sharing of resources and expertise across different jurisdictions, and providing adequate funding to help local health boards meet these new standards. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of public health services throughout the Commonwealth by formalizing support and accountability measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new state regulations requiring specific health facilities in Massachusetts to implement safe patient handling and mobility policies. It directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities by mandating the replacement of manual lifting with mechanical devices like powered lifts and motorized beds. The law requires these facilities to conduct ergonomic evaluations, perform needs assessments for patient care areas, and train qualified personnel on proper lifting techniques and equipment use. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "direct caregiver" and "lifting and transferring process" to ensure consistent application of these safety standards across covered institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Massachusetts with 15 or more employees to disclose salary ranges for job postings and provide them to applicants and employees upon request. It defines a pay range as the compensation an employer reasonably expects to offer for a specific role and mandates that this information be shared during job advertisements, promotions, and transfers. The law prohibits retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under this act and establishes penalties, including fines and potential legal action by the Attorney General, for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill directs the Attorney General to run a public awareness campaign to inform both employers and the public about these new transparency requirements.

By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2385) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran for legislation relative to dental hygienist reciprocal licensure. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Senate, June 15, 2023-- Resolutions (filed by Senator Moran) designating August 12th and 13th as the sales tax holiday

By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2389) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran and Tackey Chan for legislation to facilitate restitution against unfinished development to be known as the FRAUD Act. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cranberry growers in Massachusetts to transfer their water use permits to other municipal users within the same watershed. Under the new rules, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs would authorize these transfers, enabling the receiving users to use the water legally after obtaining their own necessary registrations and permits. The legislation directly affects cranberry farmers and other local water users by creating a formal mechanism for sharing water resources. It simplifies the process for reallocating water rights without changing the underlying state laws governing water usage.