Sen. Mark Montigny

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify how occupancy taxes apply to internet hotel room resellers. It specifies that the tax applies to the total dollar amount shown to the guest as the cost of the room, including any bundled fees that are not listed separately. However, the tax does not apply to individual fees or charges that are clearly itemized apart from the base rent. The change directly affects online booking platforms and guests by defining exactly what portion of a reservation is subject to the excise tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prosecutors in Massachusetts to charge individuals with sex offenses at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. The key provision removes the usual time limits on these cases if there is collected forensic evidence that can be tested with DNA to identify the suspect. This change directly affects legal proceedings by enabling the state to pursue older cases where biological evidence exists, while leaving cases without such evidence subject to existing time restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape cases indefinitely if DNA evidence matches the suspect. It directly affects victims of rape who may wish to pursue legal action years after the crime occurred, even if the standard 15-year time limit has passed. The key mechanism requires that a DNA match between the victim and the accused must be established before the prosecution timeline is removed. This change aims to provide more opportunities for justice in cases where DNA evidence becomes available long after the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Harmony Commission to examine how the state handles care and protection cases for children. The commission will be composed of judges, lawyers, government officials, and community representatives, including individuals with personal experience in the foster care system. Its main task is to review current laws and practices to find ways that better protect the rights and well-being of children, while also considering the impact on families and parents. The group will specifically look at how the system affects children from diverse backgrounds and will study issues like sibling visitation rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates animal health inspection laws in Massachusetts by exempting specific facilities from certain requirements. It directly affects publicly and privately owned zoological parks, research institutions, and horse or cattle auctions. The key provision removes these entities from the scope of the existing inspection rules found in Section 39A of Chapter 129. By striking the previous paragraph and inserting new text, the legislation clarifies that these specific locations are not subject to the standard animal health inspections previously mandated.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts tax law to explicitly define and address jurisdictions classified as tax havens, which are currently exempt from certain state reporting requirements. It directs the state tax commissioner to create a specific list of such jurisdictions based on criteria like low effective tax rates, lack of transparency, and marketing as tax havens, while also requiring a biannual public report with recommendations on updating this list. Under the new rules, companies making a "water's-edge election" to avoid state taxes would be required to submit detailed spreadsheets disclosing their income, tax liabilities, and allocation methods for both U.S. and listed foreign jurisdictions. Ultimately, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding where corporations report income by ensuring these disclosures are made available to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow cemeteries to bury both humans and pets in the same gravesite. It specifically permits the co-interment of human remains and animal remains, including cremated ashes, at public and private burial grounds. The legislation gives cemetery operators the authority to set their own rules and fees for these combined burials. This change directly affects municipalities, cemetery corporations, and families seeking to bury their pets alongside their loved ones.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies that serve children to collect and report data on how different demographic groups, including those based on race, disability, and gender identity, are involved in the child welfare system. It mandates that the child advocate produce an annual report detailing statistics on these disparities and outcomes, which must be shared with government officials and made available to the public. Additionally, the law directs the child advocate to publish yearly recommendations aimed at reducing inequities by improving data collection, providing staff training on implicit bias, and expanding preventive services for at-risk youth.

Senate, May 23, 2024 -- Text of amendment (802) (offered by Senator Montigny) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 4) to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements.