Sen. Mark Montigny

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study and recommend policies that improve health and safety standards for assisted living residences in Massachusetts. The commission will investigate current oversight rules, compare practices with other states, and analyze how information is shared with families and potential residents. Its membership includes government officials, industry representatives, and residents or family members to ensure diverse perspectives. The group is required to hold public hearings and submit a report with specific policy recommendations to the legislature within one year.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill increases the monthly personal care allowance for residents in long-term care facilities from $60 to $100. It directly affects individuals receiving state assistance in licensed nursing homes, chronic hospitals, rest homes, and other approved medical institutions. Under the new rules, these residents can keep the first $100 of their monthly income for personal needs, clothing, and leisure activities, with the government covering any shortfall if their income is lower. The bill also ensures this allowance will rise annually at the same rate as payments for people living in their own homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure nursing home beds are reserved for residents who are MassHealth recipients while they are hospitalized or taking time off. Under the new rules, the state will cover costs for up to 20 days of bed preservation if a resident is in the hospital for a medical event, including stays longer than 24 hours. Additionally, the state will pay to keep beds open for up to 10 days per year for residents who request nonmedical leaves of absence. These changes directly affect nursing facilities by requiring them to hold beds for eligible residents during these specific absences without charging the state extra fees.

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. 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 amends Massachusetts law to grant voting rights to student representatives on local school committees. It requires each city, town, and regional school district to elect two student representatives from their secondary schools who can vote on all committee matters. The legislation also establishes a student advisory committee to support these representatives and help students access resources. While student representatives retain the right to attend executive sessions only if the specific committee grants it, they must follow all existing school committee rules and serve without pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts tax law to allow residents to exclude forgiven mortgage debt from their state taxable income, directly affecting homeowners whose loans are reduced through restructuring or foreclosure. The measure permits an exclusion of up to $2 million for single filers or married couples filing jointly, provided the debt was used to acquire the home and the forgiveness resulted from a decline in property value or the taxpayer's financial condition. Unlike the federal tax code, which allows this exclusion only for insolvency, this legislation creates a specific state provision that also reduces the taxpayer's basis in their home by the amount of the excluded debt. The law applies retroactively to debt discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2013, and requires the state tax commissioner to issue regulations within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school committees in Massachusetts to recognize two student representatives elected by secondary school students each year. These representatives would gain the right to vote on all matters discussed by the committee, while still being subject to existing rules and serving without pay. The legislation also establishes a student advisory committee to support the elected representatives and help students access resources.

Senate, March 14, 2024 -- Text of the Senate Bill ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development (Senate, No. 2707) (being the text of Senate, No. 2697, printed as amended)

March 21, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 262) of Sal N. DiDomenico and Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to providing for diabetes management in schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 279) of Barry R. Finegold, Vanna Howard and Jack Patrick Lewis for legislation relative to the administration of diabetes medication; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 287) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to student representative voting rights; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 291) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Jacob R. Oliveira, Steven Ultrino, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the board of elementary and secondary education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 347) of Rebecca L. Rausch and James B. Eldridge for legislation to modernize the board of elementary and secondary education; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 446) of Manny Cruz and Christopher J. Worrell relative to members of student advisory committees; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 474) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others relative to student representative voting rights on school committees; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 596) of Steven Ultrino, Sean Garballey and others for legislation to further regulate the composition of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3572) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf relative to the membership of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2661).