Sen. Mike Brady

Maddy summaryHD 1243 requires private gas and distribution companies to increase transparency when awarding construction contracts over $100,000 for work on public ways. Companies must notify all qualified bidders within two business days of their decision, including the award criteria, bidder score, and winning amount. They must also post the contractor name, project location, and work duration on their website. This applies to all such contracts except single-bid situations or when disclosure would harm law enforcement, public interest, or commercial interests. The state department enforces these requirements.

Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops (Senate, No. 2720),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft entitled "An Act promoting pet equity, treatment and safety" (Senate, No. 3014).

Maddy summaryHD 1533 amends Massachusetts law to strengthen licensing enforcement for trades regulated by the State Fire Marshal. It adds $500 fines for first offenses when individuals work without required licenses or loan/sell their licenses to others. The bill also creates a new provision (Section 33A) allowing the State Fire Marshal to immediately suspend licenses without a hearing if a holder poses an immediate public safety threat, with a mandatory 30-day hearing right. Additionally, it increases a related penalty from $1,000 to $1,500 for certain violations. These changes directly affect unlicensed workers in fire-related trades and license holders who share credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a Massachusetts law by changing the legal definition of "full-call fire department" to "at large fire department" in Chapter 6. It makes a purely technical correction to terminology within the statute, without creating new programs, altering funding, or changing responsibilities. The change affects how fire departments are classified under this specific section of law but does not directly impact any specific department or policy outcome. As a procedural definition update, it has no substantive policy effects.

Senate November 19, 2025 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 618) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 650) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Michael O. Moore, Michael D. Brady, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 651) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Michael O. Moore, Marcus S. Vaughn, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2720).

Senate, February 12, 2026 -- Substituted as a new draft (Senator Brady) for the Senate Bill relative to the election of the mayor, city councilor and school committee in the city of Brockton (Senate, No. 2510).

Maddy summaryHD 1840 restricts who can administer controlled substances (Schedules II-VI) to only licensed healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, dentists, or veterinarians, or their supervised students. This directly affects healthcare providers and patients needing such medications, ensuring only qualified individuals handle these drugs. The bill includes key exceptions: patients may self-administer or supervise others if they understand their medication, emergency medical personnel can administer in crises, and family members or partners may assist in emergencies. It also specifically allows epinephrine pens to be used in emergencies without restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2593) mandates a study by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with health policy agencies, to examine access to essential health services in the state's acute care and in-patient psychiatric hospitals. The study must analyze current service availability, historical discontinuations of services since 1992, hospital closures, projected regional needs over the next decade, and financial factors that could lead to service reductions. It will also review how other states manage similar issues and identify vulnerable services at risk of being stopped within three years. The goal is to provide data-driven recommendations to ensure consistent access to essential health services across all regions of Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryHD 1535 establishes statewide limits on the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time in hospitals, affecting all hospital units including emergency departments, maternity care, pediatric units, and psychiatric care. The Department of Public Health will create specific ratio limits through regulations, requiring hospitals to submit compliance plans if violations occur and imposing civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. The law also prohibits retaliation against nurses who report violations and mandates public hearings before regulations are finalized. These changes apply to all hospitals providing 24/7 inpatient care, including teaching hospitals like UMass Medical School.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to give at least one year's notice before closing or discontinuing essential health services. Hospitals must notify patients, staff, unions, local officials, and state departments 30 days prior to submitting closure plans, and provide detailed community engagement plans. The state department must review closures to ensure continued access, requiring hospitals to create a community oversight committee (with patient, staff, and municipal representatives) if services are discontinued. Hospitals that skip these steps face legal action to maintain services and lose eligibility for new hospital licenses for three years.