Sen. Mike Brady

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Election Day registration in Massachusetts, allowing eligible voters to register and vote on the day of an election at their local polling place. To participate, individuals must appear in person, present proof of residency such as a driver's license or utility bill, and sign an oath confirming their citizenship and age. The legislation also updates existing laws to clarify that people who have not yet registered can do so on election day and ensures those already in line to register by 5:00 p.m. are permitted to complete the process. Once registered on election day, these voters will be eligible to vote in all future primaries and elections unless disqualified.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires publicly traded corporations in Massachusetts to make their tax reports available to the public in a searchable online database. It affects large companies that currently file tax information with the state secretary, mandating that these records be accessible on the internet starting from the third year after the tax year ends. The legislation also ensures that the state secretary provides a list of corporations that failed to file their reports and allows the public to purchase copies of the database or individual reports. By removing previous restrictions, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding the tax activities of major corporate entities without changing the underlying tax laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal framework for setting payment rates for workers who provide support services to individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts. It creates two distinct categories of staff: entry-level workers with minimal experience and more experienced staff who have supervisory duties or advanced training. The legislation requires the state's Department of Developmental Services to use these specific definitions when calculating how much to pay these direct care professionals. By clarifying these roles, the bill aims to ensure that rate-setting processes accurately reflect the different levels of responsibility and skill required in disability support jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance to provide cash and nutritional aid to immigrant residents who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States. It specifically targets children, pregnant women, and caretaker adults by allowing them to receive cash assistance and related benefits under Chapter 118, as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, regardless of their immigration status or citizenship. The legislation removes existing immigration-related barriers that currently prevent these individuals from accessing these specific state-funded programs. All benefits under the new section must be provided at the same level and subject to the same requirements as those given to other eligible residents, pending future state funding.

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.

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2516) of Michael D. Brady and Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida (by vote of the town) for legislation to validate the results of the annual election held in the town of Whitman on May 20, 2023. Election Laws. [Local Approval Received.]

Senate, February 15, 2024 --The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 310) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford, Susannah M. Whipps, Anne M. Gobi and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to food literacy, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2588).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Food Literacy Trust Fund to support food education programs in Massachusetts schools. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, private donations, and federal grants, with money used to develop and implement curriculum focused on understanding food systems, nutrition, and food justice. Additionally, the legislation updates existing laws to require schools to incorporate specific food literacy standards into their math, science, and social studies classes. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide resources and professional development to help schools integrate these lessons into their existing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the staffing and management of Massachusetts probate registries to improve their efficiency. It authorizes the chief justice of the probate and family court department to appoint first and assistant registers for specific terms and grants the power to remove these officials. The legislation also creates new positions for assistant registers in several counties while eliminating the role of administrative deputy assistant registers. These changes directly affect the personnel structure of the probate courts and the individuals employed within them.